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GPS error forces SpaceX Dragon supply capsule to abort docking attempt with space station

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SpaceX’s Dragon space failed to dock with the International Space Station Wednesday morning after an error was detected in the GPS software, causing the unmanned space capsule to abort the attempt. NASA reports that the Dragon capsule, carrying 5,500 pounds of cargo and experiments, was three-quarters of a mile away from the space station at around 3:25 am ET before the ship automatically aborted the mission due to the software error. SpaceX will reattempt to dock on Thursday morning.

Today’s attempt to deliver cargo to the space station is SpaceX’s tenth supply mission the Elon Musk-backed space company has flown for NASA. The Dragon capsule had been en route to the space station for the past two days, after separating from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that launched from historic Apollo-era launch pad 39A from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sunday.

The cargo capsule was scheduled to rendezvous with six astronauts onboard the space station at 6 am ET today. If successful, astronauts Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency would have locked hatches with the SpaceX capsule using an onboard robotic arm. However, the mission was waved off after the ship received the GPS-related error.

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“It did exactly what it was designed to do, breaking out of a rendezvous approach when it saw an incorrect value,” said NASA TV commentator Rob Navias, according to NPR.

“This is an easily correctable issue,” he explained during a live NASA TV stream of the docking attempt. “Dragon itself is in excellent shape.”

SpaceX confirmed that the Dragon capsule was in good health and will attempt to make another rendezvous with the space station on Thursday. The new Thursday schedule means SpaceX’s Dragon capsule will arrive at the International Space Station just one day before a Russian resupply rocket is planned to arrive at the station.

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Tesla’s NACS adapters hinted in code for future Apple Maps update

Apple Maps will soon warn EV owners when they need an adapter for routes that include Superchargers.

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ford mustang mach-e plugged into a tesla supercharger
Credit: Ford

Navigation warnings referring to adapters for Tesla’s North America Charging Standard (NACS) are set to be added to Apple Maps in a future update, as spotted by one code sleuth this week.

On Monday, X user and code sleuth Aaronp613 shared code from a future iOS 18.4 beta update that includes Maps references to NACS charging adapters, warning drivers when such an adapter is required on certain navigation routes. The code looks like it includes a voice alert and heading message for the Apple Maps navigation system, which can be expected to be added in a future update.

The latest iOS version available at this time for iPhone and iPad is 18.3.1, according to Apple’s website. The anticipated update is also expected to arrive amidst increased cross-platform integration for vehicle owners, as many companies attempt to make it easier for electric vehicle (EV) owners to stay charged and keep tabs on their vehicles.

READ MORE ON TESLA SUPPORT FOR APPLE DEVICES: First look at Tesla’s app for the Apple Watch

Many Tesla and other-brand EV owners use an iPhone or other Apple devices, so integration between these and a person’s vehicles are becoming increasingly important. The automaker also launched an Apple Watch app as part of its holiday update in December, letting owners control their vehicles even from the wearable device.

Tesla has also been rolling out widespread access to its Supercharger network to other EV brands over the last several months, and the code is just the latest hint at updates focused on making it easier for consumers to use its charging stations. As more and more brands gain access, drivers of non-Tesla vehicles will also be using the Supercharger network in increasing volumes, making such alerts especially important for making sure new owners are informed and aware of what they might encounter on their navigation routes.

Companies across the industry announced partnerships to adopt Tesla’s NACS charging standard in future vehicle models throughout much of 2023, alongside plans to offer adapters to owners of existing vehicles with the CCS hardware.

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Tesla gaining with Republicans as it loses traction with Democrats: Stifel

Stifel’s Think Tank Group data has shown that Democrats’ net favorability of Tesla fell to -15% from 7% since February 2024, while Republicans’ rose to 27% from 11%.

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk’s vocal support for U.S. President Donald Trump has driven a partisan divide in Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) appeal, with Democrats souring on the brand and Republicans warming to it, as per Stifel analysts led by Stephen Gengaro.

The Stifel analysts’ findings were outlined in a report from Investing.com.

Musk’s Trump support:

Elon Musk openly supported Donald Trump last year following the then-candidate’s first assassination attempt. Since Trump took power, Musk has become more involved in politics, with the CEO now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk’s involvement in conservative politics has resulted in a wave of protests against the CEO. A number of Tesla stores have also been vandalized in recent weeks, and some have been the location of anti-Musk protests.

What Stifel analysts say:

Stifel’s Think Tank Group data has shown that Democrats’ net favorability of Tesla fell to -15% from 7% since February 2024, while Republicans’ rose to 27% from 11%. Democrats’ net purchase consideration for Tesla vehicles also dropped to -42% from -31% since Musk endorsed Trump in August, while Republicans’ improved to -13% from -26% in the same period, per Stifel.

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“There is a clear negative shift from Democrats, while Republicans willingness to buy a Tesla is rising… This backlash has surfaced anecdotally and on social media (people placing bumper stickers on their Tesla’s claiming they love the car, but not Elon, and other variations),” the analyst noted.

Potential Headwinds:

Genaro noted that Republican interest in Tesla might offset some Democratic losses for the electric vehicle maker. However, there might be “some near-term headwinds” from Musk’s role, China’s fierce competition, and the company’s transition from the Model Y classic to the new Model Y. A 45.2% year-on-year sales drop in the EU in January—against a 37% rise in regional EV sales—was also dubbed by the analysts as a “worrisome trend,” as it could potentially be “highlighting a shift in consumer preference away from Tesla toward other manufacturers.”

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Anti Elon Musk protester attacks Polestar after mistaking it for a Tesla

Witnesses noted that prior to the attack, the man was waving a homemade sign slamming Elon Musk and Tesla.

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Credit: @MailOnline/X

A man described as being in his 40s decided to express his frustration against Elon Musk by attacking one of the CEO’s all-electric vehicles in central Bristol, England.

Unfortunately, the man did not seem to be too familiar with Teslas at all, or even how they looked like. As a result, he ended up attacking and damaging a Polestar electric vehicle instead.

The attack:

As could be seen in videos taken of the attack, the man, seemingly fueled by anti-Elon Musk fury, grabbed a “big pole” and smashed the unfortunate Polestar. The man damaged the Polestar quite a bit, breaking several of the electric car’s windows and seemingly damaging some body panels.

Witnesses noted that prior to the attack, the man was waving a homemade sign slamming Elon Musk and Tesla, as noted in a Daily Mail report.

Police catch protester, then releases him:

Avon and Somerset Police arrested the pole-wielding man on suspicion of criminal damage, arson, and carrying an offensive weapon in public, though they later released him under investigation.

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A local, who initially mistook the racket for fireworks, told authorities that the protester “wasn’t trying to do a runner.” “I thought, it must be some kind of protest,” the local noted.

“I was shocked. When you’re trying to go to sleep on a Monday evening, the last thing you expect to hear is a bloke smashing up a car,” the local added.

Indeed, it was a protest. A protest against the wrong car.

Sign’s Musk Rant:

The protester’s sign is quite rambling, reading: “Eleon Musk you have to pay for all that demolition and seven a trillion dollars for foundation Wielka Orkiestra Witecznej Pomocy,” referring to a Polish charity, The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, for no clear reason.

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