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SpaceX’s rocket explosion may have been caused by ‘something else’

Investigation continues on what caused the explosion of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket during a pre-launch test from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida last week. CEO Elon Musk took to twitter to urge NASA, the US Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration to send recordings and information they have regarding the incident that destroyed Facebook’s $200 million communications satellite that was to be used in an initiative to beam high-speed internet to sub-Saharan Africa.
In a series of tweets this morning, Musk revealed that the company was “Still working on the Falcon fireball investigation.” which according to the billionaire entrepreneur is “Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years.”
Still working on the Falcon fireball investigation. Turning out to be the most difficult and complex failure we have ever had in 14 years.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2016
The source for the explosion was initially suspected to originate from the upper-stage liquid oxygen tank, however Musk suggests through his tweets that it could be ‘something else’. In specific, he indicates that the engines were not on and thus there was no apparent heat source that could have led to the explosion. He goes onto to say that the company is “trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off,”
According to a video captured of the explosion by USLaunchReport, a small object is seen entering into the video frame and in the direction of the Falcon 9 rocket prior to the explosion . Conspiracy theorists have suggested that some form of projectile may have impacted the Falcon 9 leading to the burst of flames. Could this be the ‘something else’ that Musk might be referring to?
Particularly trying to understand the quieter bang sound a few seconds before the fireball goes off. May come from rocket or something else.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2016
The failed mission represents a major setback for the aspiring young space company. Last week, reports indicated that Israel-based SpaceCom had plans to sue SpaceX for $50 million. Though the satellite itself was insured for $330 million, the company had issued approximately $265 million in bonds to fund the project. Spacecom would have been paid $100 million from Facebook and $164 million from the Israeli government pending the successful launch of the satellite.
SpaceX representatives said in an email to Reuters that the company is not public and does not disclose contract or insurance terms.

Elon Musk
Tesla says it will be a victim of Trump admin’s tariff strategy

Tesla said in a letter to U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer that it would be a victim of the Trump administration’s tariff imposition strategy, stating it would not be immune to rising costs that could increase the price of its electric cars.
In a letter from Tesla to Greer that was seen by Financial Times, the EV maker said it would be “difficult or impossible” to source some parts of its cars domestically due to supply chain limitations. While it “supports” fair trade, it let the Trump White House know that it would also be exposed to some of the impacts that could be felt as a result of the tariffs:
“Nonetheless, even with aggressive localisation of the supply chain, certain parts and components are difficult or impossible to source within the US.”
It also urged Greer to:
“further evaluate domestic supply chain limitations to ensure that US manufacturers are not unduly burdened by trade actions that could result in the imposition of cost-prohibitive tariffs on necessary components.”
Tesla also sends vehicles to countries like Canada, which are subject to tariffs. The company said the actions by the U.S. “have resulted in immediate reactions by the targeted countries, including increased tariffs on EVs imported into those countries.”
The letter, dated March 11, was written on the same day President Trump purchased a Deep Red Tesla Model S Plaid in an event in front of the White House featuring Musk alongside the President.
President Donald Trump buys a Tesla at the White House – Here’s which model he chose
Tesla’s a great company; they’re American cars, it’s American made. He employs thousands of people. He has the most modern plants in the world,” Trump said on Tuesday. “I know people that have these cars; It blows them away. They love them.”
The letter shows that, while Musk and Trump are currently working alongside one another to iron out government spending, a task the Tesla CEO took on willingly as he campaigned for the President last election season, one thing remains: business is business.
Tesla has pushed prices upward in Canada as a response to the tariffs. Other vehicles in the Tesla lineup, including the flagship Model X, have had their prices see minor increases as well, and this is for U.S. customers.
The Trump administration has played hardball with Canada with tariffs, only for our neighbors up north to impose countertariffs on electric supply to some of the states in the Northeast. It seems, at least early on in as Trump establishes a narrative in his White House of how the U.S. will be treated, there will be some effects that impact Musk’s companies as he works alongside the President.
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Amazon has an EV delivery lineup that goes well past its Rivian EDV

Amazon has been known as one of the first companies to fully embrace the prospect of a fully-electric future by adopting EVs much sooner than many other companies.
However, its lineup and efforts go well past that of the Rivian EDV, a vehicle that helped launch the e-commerce giant’s efforts to make its business operations more sustainable.
In fact, Amazon is using a handful of different EVs to help make its business more climate-friendly, and some of the vehicles it uses might surprise you.
We’ll break down the Amazon EV lineup and what each is used for in its day-to-day business operations, showing how the EDV is just one of many parts of a future that aims to be more sustainable.
Rivian EDV
It’s hard not to start with the Rivian EDV. Back in 2019, Amazon launched its Climate Pledge, which included an agreement to buy 100,000 vans from Rivian that would be used for deliveries.

Amazon
Amazon and Rivian designed the EDV specifically for the company to use. Other versions of what it calls the RCV are available, but they differ from the Rivian-built EDV, which is specific to Amazon.
It does not require a commercial driver’s license to operate, and many areas around the country have utilized them for deliveries.
E-Scooters
Amazon uses E-Scooters for package delivery in some regions, including India. Over 80 percent of its deliveries in the country are completed through two-wheelers that Amazon has developed with manufacturers.

Credit: Amazon
These E-Scooters have many advantages, including maneuverability in densely populated areas, cost-effectiveness, ease of parking, and faster navigation compared to larger vehicles.
Three-Wheelers
Amazon uses three-wheelers, also referred to as “goods vans” to help deliver packages as well.
These vehicles were built through collaboration with various manufacturers.

Credit: Amazon
Light and Medium-Duty Electric Trucks
These are used to transport packages between Amazon buildings or even to deliver larger packages, like refrigerators, to customers.
Eventually, there will be over 1,000 of these delivering packages or handling internal logistics in India. These vehicles are quiet and provide a better experience for drivers with a comfortable ride.

Credit: Amazon
Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks
These are used for everything from hauling large containers containing packages from ports to Amazon facilities or between Amazon buildings.
Amazon currently has a fleet of about 50 of these heavy-duty electric trucks in California, its largest fleet of this vehicle type. It plans to roll out over 200 of them in Europe in the future.

Credit: Amazon
News
Tesla showroom in Oregon gets shot up for second time in a week

A Tesla showroom in Oregon has gotten shot up by gunfire for the second time in a week, police say.
The Tesla showroom located on Southwest Cascade Ave. in Tigard, Oregon, was riddled with gunfire sometime in the early morning hours on Thursday.
Police received a call and responded to the location at about 4:15 a.m. local time; a security guard contacted law enforcement after noticing damage while patrolling the area.
Police said to FOX12, a local news outlet, that between 10 and 15 shots were fired at the building. Cars and the building were struck. It was reported as “extensive damage.”
Police are investigating a 2nd shooting at a Tigard Tesla dealership in a week. They say the shooting was reported just after 4:15 this morning. Around 10-15 shots and they say there is extensive damage to the building and vehicles. @fox12oregon pic.twitter.com/uiJgiILXnj
— Drew Reeves (@DrewReevesTV) March 13, 2025
This is the same dealership that was lit up by those who are protesting CEO Elon Musk and Tesla as a company on March 6. Three cars and the showroom were struck by seven bullets.
It is not the only showroom to report major damage from vandals who are voicing political disagreements through violence and damage. Another showroom in Oregon was lit up by a Molotov cocktail, but that suspect was spotted and arrested.
However, police say they have no leads in the case of the Tigard dealership, as both instances have led to no real idea as to who exactly is the perpetrator of these attacks.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced that any instances of violence or vandalism against Tesla vehicles, owners, or company property would be addressed as an act of domestic terrorism.
The pushback against Musk and Tesla has been eye-opening, as owners across the world are reporting instances of their vehicles being vandalized by those who oppose the points and perspectives of the CEO.
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