Rocket Lab experienced an engine test anomaly at its Stennis Space Center facility in Mississippi, resulting in a fire and damage to a test cell, according to a recent report. Meanwhile, a movement called QuitGPT is gaining traction as users express frustration with the popular chatbot ChatGPT, and a new analysis suggests electric vehicles could become economically competitive in Africa by 2040.
The incident at Rocket Lab's A3 test stand, which occurred a little more than two months prior, prompted a call to the Stennis Space Center Fire Department. The fire started during a test when an electrical box caught fire, according to the fire station's November 30 dispatcher log. Satellite imagery indicated that the roof of one of the two test cells had been blown off. However, the company's CEO stated that the incident was not a major concern.
In other news, a growing movement is urging people to cancel their ChatGPT subscriptions. Alfred Stephen, a freelance software developer in Singapore, purchased a ChatGPT Plus subscription in September, but he grew frustrated with the chatbot's coding abilities and its lengthy replies. He then discovered a campaign called QuitGPT, which has gained momentum on platforms like Reddit. Users have been sharing their experiences and reasons for canceling their subscriptions.
Furthermore, a new analysis suggests that electric vehicles could become economically competitive in Africa sooner than previously anticipated. While only 1% of new cars sold across the continent in 2025 were electric, the analysis indicates that with solar off-grid charging, EVs could be cheaper to own than gas vehicles by 2040. The study acknowledges existing challenges, such as unreliable grids and limited charging infrastructure. However, as battery and vehicle costs continue to decrease, the economic case for EVs is strengthening. Electric two-wheelers, cars, and even minibuses could become competitive in most African countries.
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