On December 17, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX a modified license, paving the way for the next Starship test flight, expected as early as January 2025. This approval allows SpaceX to execute multiple launches using the Flight 7 mission profile without requiring a separate modification for each attempt. The decision was made after a thorough assessment to ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and licensing criteria. FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman noted, “This license modification that we are issuing is well ahead of the Starship Flight 7 launch date and is another example of the FAA’s commitment to enable safe space transportation.”

The upcoming mission will see SpaceX’s Starship and Super Heavy booster lift off from Boca Chica, Texas, before separating. The Super Heavy booster will return to the launch site for a catch attempt by the launch tower, while Starship will follow a suborbital trajectory, culminating in a water landing in the Indian Ocean west of Australia. This flight mirrors past missions but introduces upgraded vehicle configurations, which could enhance performance.

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Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk sparked global controversy this week, calling for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the aftermath of a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Musk’s statements, made on his platform X, criticized Scholz as an "incompetent fool" and questioned the leadership of Europe’s largest economy. The attack, which involved a car ramming into a crowd, left at least two dead and dozens injured, according to German officials. Musk’s remarks immediately drew both condemnation and applause, underscoring his increasingly polarizing role in international politics.

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk also voiced support for Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “Only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk declared on X. The AfD, a nationalist party with anti-immigration policies, has surged in German opinion polls but remains shunned by mainstream parties. Germany is set to hold elections on February 23 following the collapse of Scholz’s coalition government, and Musk’s endorsement has sparked heated debate about foreign influence in domestic politics. While the German government acknowledged Musk’s statements, it declined to offer further comment.

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Tesla initiated preliminary discussions with Austin, Texas officials regarding its autonomous vehicle technology program, marking a potential milestone in the company's ambitious robotaxi development plans. The electric vehicle manufacturer's representatives have engaged with the city's autonomous vehicle task force to establish safety protocols and operational parameters for their future self-driving fleet. These discussions, which began in May, demonstrate Tesla's strategic approach to implementing their autonomous driving vision in a jurisdiction known for its relatively permissive regulatory environment.