SpaceX lifts Booster 9 onto the orbital launch pad ahead of tests, expands the Starship factory, more from Starbase, Texas

-

-Advertisement-

SpaceX has accelerated activities at Starbase, Texas as it prepares for the next phase of Starship tests before its 2nd launch attempt.

The Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) repairs and upgrades were completed last week. The OLM endured heavy damage during Starship’s first launch (attempt in April (4/20).

Since the OLM is now completely fixed, SpaceX transported the Super Heavy Booster 9 rocket to the launch pad on Thursday. Booster 9 was lifted onto the OLM on Thursday night (20th July).

SpaceX shared some stunning images of the Booster 9 as it was transported to the orbital launch site at Starbase, Boca Chica, Texas. Super Heavy rocket boosters are engineering megastructures, they look majestic in aerial drone photos.

“Starship Super Heavy Booster 9 transported to the orbital launch pad at Starbase for testing ahead of flight,” SpaceX stated in an official tweet.

Starship's Booster 9 rocket getting transported to the Starbase launch site for testing ahead of the next flight.
Starship’s Booster 9 rocket getting transported to the Starbase launch site for testing ahead of the next flight. Credit: SpaceX / Twitter.
Tesla Accessories by EVANNEX.
– Sponsored –

SpaceX has renewed the OLM water deluge system to support Starship engine thrust and flames during liftoff. Since the improved system is back in place, SpaceX will soon perform necessary tests on Booster 9. Static fire tests are the most interesting ones in preparation for the orbital flight.

SpaceX completed a 6-engine static fire test on Starship 25 last month. Now it’s the turn for Booster 9 to go through the necessary tests. SpaceX has developed Starship 25 (SN25) and Booster 9 (B9) for the 2nd orbital flight test.

American flag raised at the Starship launch integration tower as Booster 9 reaches the OLM at Starbase, Texas on Friday 21st July 2023.
American flag raised at the Starship launch integration tower as Booster 9 reaches the OLM at Starbase, Texas on Friday 21st July 2023. Credit: SpaceX / Twitter.
– Advertisement –
SpaceX lifts the Super Heavy Booster 9 rocket onto the launch pad at Starbase, Texas in preparation for the upcoming tests.
SpaceX lifts the Super Heavy Booster 9 rocket onto the launch pad at Starbase, Texas in preparation for the upcoming tests. Tap the image to zoom in and watch the stars in the sky in the background Credit: SpaceX / Twitter.
Video: Super Heavy Booster 9 rocket lifted onto the Starbase Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) on 20th July 2023.
– Advertisement –

Starfactory Expansion and Starship Development Update

SpaceX is expanding the Starship production site also called the Starfactory by the space community. SpaceX started construction of the extended part of Starfactory last week. In a video update by NASASpaceFlight.com, we can see that the steel structure has been raised and SpaceX is installing the roof structure of the Starship production facility.

SpaceX starts the expansion of the Starship factory at Starbase, Texas.
Screenshot: SpaceX starts the expansion of the Starship factory at Starbase, Texas. Credit: NASASpaceFlight / YouTube / Jack Beyer (video below).
Video: Starbase update from the last week by NASASpaceFlight.

Besides the expansion of the Starfactory, SpaceX also worked on Starship prototypes i.e. Starship 27 and 28. SpaceX cut Ship 27 in half to begin its scraping while Ship 28 was erected in the High Bay.

– Advertisement –

“Ship 27 was cut in half as scrapping of it began, and Ship 28 was lifted in the High Bay and placed on the thrust simulator stand in preparation for a move to Masseys,” NASASpaceFlight reported from the ground at Starbase.

SpaceX also performed a deluge system test on the rebuilt OLM (video below). This is an upgraded deluge system designed to mitigate the impact of the integrated Starship launch. The first Starship orbital flight test left significant damage to the OLM foundation concrete and to the deluge system.

Stay tuned for future updates on Starship and SpaceX, Follow us on:

Google News | X (Twitter) | Flipboard | WhatsApp ChannelRSS (Feedly).

Video: SpaceX tests the Starship OLM water deluge system (High Audio Warning / Remove headphones).

Related

Iqtidar Ali
Iqtidar Alihttp://www.teslaoracle.com
Author of more than 1500 articles on Tesla, SpaceX, and EVs. His work has been liked and tweeted by Elon Musk and other prominent influencers. You can reach him on Twitter @IqtidarAlii

Latest News

Tesla (TSLA) teases upcoming 7-seat Model Y in new email to customers

Tesla (TSLA) sent an email to its existing customers and newsletter subscribers with the subject "Model Y: Midsize SUV"....

Trump to cancel SpaceX contracts, Musk retracts from decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft program

Tesla & SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump's romance has taken a historic and unanticipated turn....

Watch if a Tesla catches fire after falling off a cliff

A general perception about Teslas and electric vehicles is that their large battery packs are prone to catching fire...

Tesla update 2025.20 is rumored to integrate Grok conversational AI into vehicles, expected rollout schedule and new features

Earlier this year, Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk said that Grok AI is coming to Tesla vehicles soon. Since...
- Advertisement -

Trump to cancel SpaceX contracts, Musk retracts from decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft program

Tesla & SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump's romance has taken a historic and unanticipated turn....

Starship Flight 9 test: SpaceX misses major objectives, launch cadence to increase, says Musk

Starship's ninth launch and landing test was a hit and a miss at the same time. Some of the...

Starship Flight 9 launch live updates, Watch the live streams here (archived)

The big day is here. All looks good for the Flight 9 Starship launch and landing test today. SpaceX...

Tesla Tips & Tricks

Upcoming Tesla app feature lets you visually identify service issues in advance

In an upcoming over-the-air (OTA) software update to its...

Here’s how to pair Apple Watch with your Tesla, unlock it and send commands remotely

Tesla (TSLA) released a notable feature with the 2024...

Tesla Quarterly Reports & Eearnings

Tesla (TSLA) surges after Q1 2025 Earnings Call, Musk’s time at DOGE to drop significantly soon

Surprisingly, after reporting negative Q1 2025 automotive and overall...

What to expect from Tesla (TSLA) Q1 2025 Earnings Call with Elon Musk

Today's Tesla (TSLA) Q1 2025 Earnings Call is probably...

Tesla (TSLA) announces time and date of the Q1 2025 Earnings Call

Elon Musk's electric vehicle and energy storage company Tesla...
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended for You