Watch a Tesla Cybertruck working at SpaceX Starbase — towing Starship Raptor engines

-

-Advertisement-

Have you seen a vehicle working on a field even before its deliveries have officially started? Probably not. But this is not the case with Tesla’s Cybertruck.

One of the Tesla Cybertruck prototypes reached the SpaceX Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas earlier yesterday morning. At first, it was seen entering Starbase with regular internal combustion engine (ICE) SUVs but later on, it was spotted towing Starship’s Raptor engines.

Tesla brought the Cybertruck to Starbase to either test its towing capabilities in real-world scenarios — or to get some cost-effective advertisement via local observer cameras operating 24/7 at the SpaceX launch facility in Texas. In my opinion, with this move, Tesla got the best of both worlds.

Starbase observer LabPadre was the first one to spot the Cybertruck’s entrance into Starbase yesterday. The following video shows the Cybertruck entering Starbase going towards the Raptor engine production area and just passing by the Straship Orbital Launch Mount (OLM).

Video: Tesla Cybertruck coming to SpaceX Starbase, the launch site of Starship and Super Heavy.
– Advertisement –
Tesla Cybertruck spotted at SpaceX Starbase Texas.
Tesla Cybertruck spotted at SpaceX Starbase Texas. Credit: Sean Doherty / NasaSpaceFlight.com.

Interestingly, in another video, the Cybertruck was seen hauling a Raptor engine. SpaceX instantly put the newly arrived Cybertruck to work, it was not treated like a guest at all. This Raptor was a vacuum-level engine installed only Starship also known as RVac in short. RVac engines are there to provide thrust to Starship in space.

A Raptor 2 engine weighs 3,527 lbs (1,600 kg). Along with the trailer, we can assume the total weight of the trailer + Raptor engine would be around 5,000 lbs. Cybertruck apparently pulled this load easily as we can see in the following video.

According to Tesla’s official specs, a Cybertruck has a towing capacity of over 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg). So, hauling a 5,000-pound trailer is a piece of cake for the Cybertruck muscles.

Video: Tesla Cybertruck hauling Raptor 2 engines at Starbase, Texas.
Tesla Accessories by EVANNEX.
– Sponsored –

These videos from Starbase serve as a free marketing campaign for Tesla and also give Cybetruck reservation holders a glimpse into the electric pickup truck’s towing capabilities.

SpaceX on the other hand got to test some sustainable transportation and logistics from its sister company Tesla (TSLA). SpaceX has been criticized for not using zero-emissions transport for its ground operations despite its CEO Elon Musk being a big advocate of the proliferation of sustainable energy and transport.

In the future, SpaceX might replace all or most of the ICE pickup trucks at its launch sites and factories with Tesla’s Cybertruck which is way more efficient, powerful, and strong with a stainless steel body.

Both Giga Texas and Starbase are located in Texas, which also gives both companies a big cost and time-saving advantage for deploying Cybertrucks at Starbase.

Tesla is currently producing and testing new Cybertrucks at Giga Texas on a daily basis — a good sign that Tesla will most probably start deliveries this month. But we will have to wait for the confirmation that might come from Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the Q3 2023 Earnings Call later this month.

The team from NASASpaceFlight/YouTube also recorded footage of the Cybertruck at Starbase, Texas, let’s watch below. Good to see the Cybertruck helping Starship prepare for its next launch.

Video: Tesla Cybertruck spotted at Starbase, TX.
– Advertisement –
Video: Tesla Cybertruck towing a Starship Raptor vacuum engine (RVac) at Starbase, Texas on 4th October 2023.

Related

Iqtidar Ali
Iqtidar Alihttp://www.teslaoracle.com
Iqtidar has been writing about Tesla, Elon Musk, and EVs for more than 3 years on XAutoWorld.com, many of his articles have been republished on CleanTechnica and InsideEVs, maintains a healthy relationship with the Tesla community across the Social Media sphere. You can reach him on Twitter @IqtidarAlii

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest News

Cybertruck’s range figures disappoint Tesla customers, even the range extender doesn’t fulfill expectations

Tesla revealed the final features, specifications, and pricing of the Cybertruck at its Delivery Event on Thursday last week....

Watch how Tesla Cybertruck performs in a crash safety test against ICE pickup trucks

We didn't hear much about Tesla Cybertruck's safety from the company's CEO Elon Musk during the Delivery Event presentation...

Tesla Cybertruck starts at $60,990 — the AWD variant might qualify for the Federal Tax Credit

Tesla (TSLA) and its CEO Elon Musk revealed everything about the Cybertruck that should been unveiled yesterday. Several of...

Cybertruck Delivery Event live updates, Watch the live-stream recording, more

Tesla has built a Cybertruck-themed triangular entrance gate at Giga Texas for the Delivery Event that is about to...
- Advertisement -

Elon Musk’s iPhone wallpaper of Starship’s 2nd launch tells us a bit about his phone preferences

CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk shared his personal phone's wallpaper on X (Twitter) a couple of days...

2nd Starship launch was a success, it went way beyond stage separation and then missing in space

After 7 months of excitement, hurdles, and wait, SpaceX finally launched Starship for the 2nd time. Although both Super...

SpaceX delays Starship launch to Saturday 18th Nov to fix a grid fin on the Super Heavy rocket, says Elon Musk

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced on his social media platform X that the 2nd Starship launch which was...

Tesla Tips & Tricks

SpaceX enthusiast designs a 1:110 scale LEGO Starship

A NASA/SpaceX enthusiast who goes by the name of...

Tesla Model Y/3 heat pump issue in cold weather might not be fixable with just a software update

Canada's extreme cold weather is taking a toll on...

Here’s how much battery is drained if a Tesla is left unplugged for 32 days

A Tesla Model 3 owner parked her car in...

Tesla Quarterly Reports & Eearnings

- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended for You