Jump to content

Draft:List of Super Heavy boosters

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Since April 2023, Super Heavy has been launched 6 times, with 4 successes and 2 failures. The vehicle Super Heavy composes when combined with the Starship spacecraft, Starship,[1] has been developed with the intention of lowering launch costs using economies of scale.[2] SpaceX aims to achieve this by reusing both rocket stages, increasing payload mass to orbit, increasing launch frequency, creating a mass-manufacturing pipeline and adapting it to a wide range of space missions.[3][4] Starship is the latest project in SpaceX's reusable launch system development program and plan to colonize Mars.

There are currently three planned versions of Super Heavy: Block 1 (also known as Version 1 or V1), Block 2, and Block 3. As of September 2024, Block 1 Super Heavy booster are expected to be compatible with Block 1 and Block 2 Starships.[5] As of November 2024, only Block 1 vehicles have flown.[6] The Super Heavy booster is reusable, and is recovered via large arms on the tower capable of catching the descending vehicle.[7] As of November 2024, 0 boosters have been refurbished and subsequently flown at least a second time, though a single booster, Booster 12, has been recovered after flight.[8]

Development

[edit]

Ground testing (BN1-B6)

[edit]

BN1

[edit]

BN1 was the first Super-Heavy Booster prototype, a pathfinder that was not intended for flight tests.[12] Sections of the ~66 m (217 ft) tall test article were manufactured throughout autumn 2020. Section stacking began in December 2020.[13] BN1 was fully stacked inside the High Bay on March 18, 2021,[14] and was scrapped on March 30, 2021.

B3

[edit]

Booster 3 completed stacking in the High Bay on June 29, 2021,[15] and moved to the test stand.[16] A cryogenic proof test was completed on July 13,[17][18] followed by a static fire test on July 19. BN3/Booster 3 was partially scrapped on August 15, while the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank remained welded to the Test Stand until January 13, 2022.[19]

B4–B5

[edit]

Booster 4 in the High Bay

B4 was fully stacked on August 1, with all 29 engines installed on August 2, 2021.[20] Grid fins were added to support atmospheric reentry testing. SN20 was stacked on top of Booster 4 on August 6, 2021 for a fitting test, making it, for two years, the tallest rocket ever fully integrated.[21] B4 completed its first cryogenic proof test on December 17, 2021,[22] followed by a pneumatic proof test, another cryogenic proof test and a full-load cryogenic proof test. B4 and Ship 20 were then retired.[23] On March 6, 2024, B4s grid fins were removed,[24] it was moved to the Mega Bay on March 21 where it was scrapped the following day.[25][26]

Parts for B5 were observed as early as July 19, 2021. Stacking for B5 completed in November, although on December 8, B5 was retired alongside SN15 and SN16. It was later scrapped.

Orbital launches (B7-subsequent)

[edit]

B7–B8

[edit]

B7 was placed on the orbital launch mount on March 31, 2022, and completed two cryogenic proof tests in April, resulting in the rupturing of the downcomer.[27] After being repaired, it was returned to OLM, and completed two cryogenic tests. It was then moved to Mega Bay 1 for engine and grid fin installation.[28] On July 11, after returning to OLM A for engine testing, B7 experienced a detonation underneath the engines during an attempted 33 engine spin prime test.[29] It returned to OLM A on August 4 with only the 20 outer Raptor engines,[30] and completed its first single-engine static fire test on August 9, followed by a second two days later.[31] After receiving its thirteen inner engines,[32] B7 conducted a series of spin prime and static fire tests throughout August and September,[33][34][35][36] before again returning to the Mega Bay on September 21.[37] After receiving additional upgrades it was lifted on the launch pad on October 8.[38] Ship 24 was stacked on top B7 on October 12,[39] and was removed after completing multiple cryogenic load tests.[40][41][42] B7 then completed a spin prime test of multiple engines on November 12,[43] a 14 engine static fire test on November 14,[44] and finally an 11 engine static fire in an autogenous pressurization test on November 29.[45] In January 2023, Booster 7 and Ship 24 conducted a wet dress rehearsal,[46] before attempting a 33 engine static fire on February 9.[47] On April 20, 2023, Booster 7 was launched on Integrated Flight Test 1, being destroyed before stage separation after a fire in the aft section severed connections between its engines and flight computers, resulting in a loss of attitude control and FTS activation.[48]

B8 was fully stacked on July 8, 2022.[49] It was moved to the launch site on September 19, 2022, though it was not tested there.[50] Booster 8 was scrapped in January 2023 in favor of Booster 9. Booster 8's hydraulic power units were used to replace Booster 7s, along with several other parts, including the engine shielding.[51][52]

B9–B12

[edit]

B9 finished stacking in late 2022, and featured upgrades, including electric thrust vector control (ETVC) gimbaling system of the raptor engines, replacing the previous hydraulic power units that were used up to Booster 8. It was moved to the OLS cryogenic station on December 15.[53] Two cryogenic proof tests were conducted on December 21 and December 29, both of which were successful.[53] After engine installation, Booster 9 was rolled to OLM A on July 20,[54] conducting a cryogenic proof test on OLM A,[53] followed by a spin prime test on August 4.[53] On August 6, Booster 9 fired 29 engines for 2.7 seconds, instead of the planned 33 engines for 5 seconds. It was then moved off of OLM A and rolled back to Mega Bay 1, where its vented interstage was added on August 16.[53] B9 was moved back to OLM A on August 22 and underwent another spin prime test the next day.[53] On August 25, Booster 9 underwent a static fire of all 33 engines, with two engines shutting off early, which lasted around 6 seconds.[53] Ship 25 (S25) was lifted onto B9 for the first time on September 5, and was destacked several times throughout the rest of the month and mid October.[53] On October 22, B9 underwent two partial cryogenic tests, while S25 was not tested,[53] followed by a full wet dress rehearsal (WDR) two days later.[53] On November 18, Booster 9 and Ship 25 lifted off with all 33 engines lit at 7:02 am CST.[55] Following the successful separation from S25, B9 was destroyed after several engine failures during the boost-back burn.[55]

Grid fins and corrugation on Booster 10's methane tank (right, foreground), March 12, 2023

B10 was fully stacked in March 2023.[56] B10 was moved to Massey's test site for cryogenic testing on July 7, undergoing a cryogenic proof test on July 18.[56] Three additional cryogenic tests were performed in mid September.[56] B10 was moved back to Mega Bay 1 on September 19 for engine and interstage installation.[56] On December 18, B10 was moved to the orbital launch site,[56] followed by a lift onto OLM A the next day.[56] It aborted a static fire test on December 21, before completing a 33-engine static fire test on December 29, followed by its removal from OLM A on December 30.[56] On January 2, 2024, B10 was moved back to the Production Site,[56] and was transported to the Orbital Launch Site for a WDR.[56] On February 9, B10 was lifted onto OLM A,[56] and on February 10, Ship 28 (S28) was lifted onto B10,[56] with the combined vehicle aborting two wet dress rehearsal attempts.[56] The wet dress rehearshal was completed on March 3.[56] The vehicles were destacked for FTS arming on March 5,[56] which occurred on March 8,[56] followed by S28 being restacked on March 10.[56] On March 14, B10 was launched with S28 on IFT-3, completing the ascent burn with zero engine failures. Six engines failed during the boostback burn.[57] During its landing burn, only three engines started up with two failing shortly thereafter.[58]

B11 was fully stacked in June 2023.[59] On October 12, B11 was moved to Massey's test site, where it was cryo-tested on October 14 and October 18.[60] On November 19, B11 was moved back to Mega Bay 1 for engine and interstage installation.[60] B11 was moved to OLM A for static-fire testing on April 4,[60] where it conducted a 33-engine static-fire on April 5.[61] On April 7, it was removed from OLM A,[60] and rolled back to Mega Bay 1 for pre-flight modifications.[60] On May 10, B11 was rolled out of Mega Bay 1,[60] and rolled to the Orbital Launch Site.[62] It was lifted onto the OLM on May 11.[63] On May 15, Ship 29 (S29) was lifted onto B11, with the combined vehicle completing a partial cryogenic test on May 16,[64] and a full wet dress rehearsal on May 20,[65] A second wet dress rehearsal was completed on May 28.[66] On May 29, S29 was destacked for final tile work and Flight Termination System (FTS) Installation,[60] with FTS installation occurring on May 30.[60] S29 was stacked onto B11 for the final time on June 5.[60] On June 6, B11 and S29 launched on IFT-4, with a single engine failure occurring shortly after liftoff.[67] The boostback burn saw no engine failures, though a second engine failed during the landing burn.[67] B11 was destroyed after tipping over, with several components being recovered in late September.[68][69] On October 9, Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability of SpaceX, Bill Gerstenmaier, claimed that B11 landed within "half a centimeter" of the target.[70]

Booster 12 coasting back to the launch site after separating from Ship 30 during IFT-5

B12 began assembly in June 2023.[71] On December 28, 2023, B12 was moved to Massey's for cryogenic testing, where it conducted two cryogenic tests on January 10 and January 12.[72] B12 was moved production site in mid-January for engine installation.[73] B12 was moved to OLM A on July 9 for static fire testing,[74] where it conducted a pressurization test on July 11,[72] followed by a 33 engine spin prime on July 12 and a 33 engine static fire on July 15.[75][76] B12 was rolled back to the production site on July 16, 2024.[77] SpaceX claimed that B12 and S30 were ready to fly on August 8.[78] On September 20, B12 was rolled to the launch site, with S30 being lifted onto B12 the next day.[79] A partial wet dress rehearsal was conducted on September 23.[80] A second partial wet dress rehearsal occurred on October 7,[81] followed by S30 being destacked for FTS installation.[82] FTS was installed on both vehicles on October 9,[83] and S30 was stacked onto B12 for Flight 5 on October 11.[72] B12 and S30 launched on October 13, with B12 successfully conducting the ascent, boostback, and landing burns with no engine failures, before being caught by the gantry chopsticks,[84] and lowered onto OLM A.[85] Musk claimed that B12 suffered damage that could be "easily addressed", including warping of the outer engine nozzles.[86] B12's FTS was removed on October 14,[87] followed by being returned to Mega Bay 1 for post-flight inspections.[88] On October 22, B12s vented interstage was recovered.[89] B12 was retired to the rocket garden on October 28.[90]

B13–B17

[edit]

B13 and subsequent vehicles have upgraded lox vents, a new raceway design, and reinforced chines.[91] B13's assembly was completed on February 3, 2024.[92] It was rolled to Massey's test site for cryogenic testing on April 25.[92] B13 completed its first cryo-test on April 26,[93] and a second cryogenic test on April 29.[94] On October 22, B13 was rolled to OLM A,[95] where a partial cryogenic test was performed two days later.[96] Following this, B13 conducted a static fire,[96] and was subsequently rolled to Mega Bay 1.[92] It returned to the launch site for IFT-6 on November 14,[97] where Ship 31 (S31) was lifted onto the booster.[98] FTS was installed on November 15,[99] followed by a partial wet dress rehearsal on November 17.[100] On November 19, B13 launched with S31, completing the ascent, boostback, and landing burns. However, the "catch" attempt was called off due to an issue with the launch tower,[101] and the booster was diverted to splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.[102]

On May 11, 2024, SpaceX released an image showing that B14 had been assembled.[103] B14 was rolled out of Mega Bay 1 on October 2, ahead of a rollout to Massey's the next day.[104] On October 4, B14 conducted its first cyrogenic test,[105] followed by a second on October 5.[106] It was then moved to Mega Bay 1 on October 7.[107]

On July 23, 2024, B15's aft section was spotted, featuring additional tanks attached to the liquid oxygen header tank.[108]

On October 14, 2024, the first section for B16 was spotted being moved around Starfactory.[109] Stacking began in late October.[110]

Test articles

[edit]

Super Heavy-based test articles

[edit]

BN2.1 was rolled out on June 3, 2021[115] for cryogenic tests. It conducted two tests, the first on June 8, 2021,[116] and the second on June 17, 2021.[117]

B2.1 (not BN2.1) conducted three cryogenic tests on December 1, 2021, December 2, 2021, and December 3, 2021.[118][119]

B6.1 was originally intended to be the third flight-worthy Super Heavy, but was repurposed as a test tank.[120] In May 2023, it was used to test the modified FTS system, after the FTS on B7 and S24 failed to destroy the vehicle.[121]

Liquid Oxygen Landing Test Tank (LOX LTT) was based on the LOX Landing tank on the Booster. It was cryo tested at Mcgregor in early 2022.[122]

B7.1 was first cryogenically proof tested on 28 June 2022,[123] and tested again on 19 July 2022.[124] During a suspected pressurize to failure test two days later, it received minor damage.[125] After repairs, it underwent a fourth cryogenic proof test on July 27, 2022, a fifth on September 1, 2022, and a sixth five days later.[126] It then rolled back to the production site on September 16, 2022.[127] B7.1 was then moved to the Massey's test site in September 2022, and then scrapped in December 2023.[128]

Hot Stage Load Head (HSLH) was a test article designed to verify the structural integrity of the interstage of Super Heavy Boosters 9+.[129] It was transported to the Massey's test site on July 30, 2023,[130] before being loaded onto the Can Crusher testing device.[131] In mid-October 2023, it was moved back to the production site,[132] where it was disassembled.[133]

B14.1 is a test article consisting of a booster common dome and a forward section.[134] After structural testing at Masseys, it was moved to the launch site on June 21, 2024,[135] and lifted onto OLM A.[136] It was tested on June 26,[113] followed by additional testing on June 27.[137] It conducted additional testing on August 15.[138] On August 17, it was returned to the production site.[114]

General test articles

[edit]


Test Tank 1 (TT1) was a subscale test tank consisting of two forward bulkheads connected by a small barrel section. TT1 was used to test new materials and construction methods. On January 10, 2020, TT1 was tested to failure as part of an ambient temperature test, reaching a pressure of 7.1 bar (103 psi).[139][141]

Test Tank 2 (TT2) was another subscale test tank similar to TT1. On January 27, 2020, TT2 underwent an ambient temperature pressure test where it reached a pressure of 7.5 bar (109 psi) before a leak occurred.[142] Two days later, it underwent a cryogenic proof test to destruction, bursting at 8.5 bar (123 psi).[143][140][144]

GSE 4.1 was first spotted in August 2021 and was the first ground support equipment (GSE) test tank built, made from parts of GSE 4.[126] It underwent a cryogenic proof test in August 2021 before it was rolled to Sanchez site.[145] It was rolled back to the launch site in November 2021, where it underwent an apparent cryogenic proof test to failure on January 18, 2022, where it burst at an unknown pressure.[146]

EDOME was a test tank created to test flatter domes, possibly used on future Starship prototypes. It was moved to the launch site in July 2022, and then back to the production site the next month, after undergoing no tests.[120] It was later moved from the production site to the Massey's test site in late September 2022, where it was damaged during a cryogenic pressure test to failure.[120] After repairs, it was tested to destruction in late October 2022.[120]

EDOME 2 was a test tank which is likely designed to continue testing a flatter dome design. As of October 4, 2023, its official designation is unknown. It was tested once, before being scrapped for unknown reasons.[147]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Amos, Jonathan (6 August 2021). "Biggest ever rocket is assembled briefly in Texas". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  2. ^ Dans, Enrique. "Elon Musk's Economies Of Scale Won SpaceX The NASA Moonshot". Forbes. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. ^ Wattles, Jackie (29 September 2019). "Elon Musk says SpaceX's Mars rocket will be cheaper than he once thought. Here's why". CNN Business. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  4. ^ Meredith Garofalo (8 June 2024). "SpaceX wants to build 1 Starship megarocket a day with new Starfactory". Space.com. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  5. ^ Jax (2024-06-04). "From Render to Reality: A Status Update on Starship Block 2". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  6. ^ Berger, Eric (2024-04-08). "Elon Musk just gave another Mars speech—this time the vision seems tangible". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  7. ^ Everyday Astronaut (2022-05-26). Go up SpaceX's Starship-catching robotic launch tower with Elon Musk!. Retrieved 2024-06-03 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-15). SpaceX Rolls Booster 12 to the Production Site After Catch | Starbase. Retrieved 2024-10-15 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Jax (2023-12-16). "Feeding The Beast: Super Heavy's Propellant Distribution System". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  10. ^ "Starship SN15 to undergo flight test Tuesday". May 4, 2021. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2023. BN1 has since been cut into sections and sent to the scrapyard
  11. ^ Booster 3 Scrapped (YouTube). August 15, 2021.
  12. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (March 18, 2021). "Yes, Booster 1 is a production pathfinder, figuring out how to build & transport 69-meter-tall stage. Booster 2 will fly" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Bergin, Chris (28 December 2020). "Starship SN9's time to shine – test series targets a New Year's resolution". NASASpaceflight. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  14. ^ Mary [@BocaChicaGal] (March 18, 2021). "Booster BN1 is fully stacked in the high bay" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ Super Heavy Booster 3 Stacked | SpaceX Boca Chica. NASASpaceflight. 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "SpaceX Transports A Super Heavy Booster Prototype To The Launch Pad". Tesmanian.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  17. ^ @elonmusk (30 June 2021). "First one to fly will [have grid fins], so Booster 4. Booster 3 will be used for ground tests. We're changing much of the design from 3 to 4. Booster 3 was very hard to build. Expect rapid evolution in the first ~10 boosters & first ~30 ships" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ @elonmusk (25 June 2021). "We're almost done with first prototype booster. This will go to test stand A. The next one will fly to orbit. The team has been crushing it many days & nights in a row!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Super Heavy Booster 3's LOX Tank Finally Scrapped | SpaceX Boca Chica, January 10, 2022, archived from the original on April 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-08-11.
  20. ^ @elonmusk (11 July 2021). "Final decision made earlier this week on booster engine count. Will be 33 at ~230 (half million lbs) sea-level thrust" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Cao, Sissi (August 6, 2021). "Starship Completes Stacking Giant Starship Stages For Orbital Flight". Observer. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  22. ^ @NASASpaceflight (December 17, 2021). "And there's some impressive depress venting on Booster 4! A possible conclusion to a good cryogenic pressure test!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ @elonmusk (25 June 2021). "We're almost done with first prototype booster. This will go to test stand A. The next one will fly to orbit. The team has been crushing it many days & nights in a row!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Cargile, John [@GroundTruthPics] (March 6, 2024). "Booster 4 is having it's[sic] grid fins removed" (Tweet). Retrieved Mar 6, 2024 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ 4K SpaceX Starbase Booster 4 Final Move to Megabay 1 on 3/21/24, March 21, 2024, retrieved 2024-03-22
  26. ^ Bergin, Chris [@nasaspaceflight] (March 22, 2024). "Booster 4 is being cut in half inside the Mega Bay" (Tweet). Retrieved Mar 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ CSI Starbase (2023-03-22). Why SpaceX Could Be Forced To Abandon Starship Payloads Until 2024!. Retrieved 2024-10-22 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ NASASpaceflight (2022-03-31). How SpaceX is Rapidly Iterating Starship. Retrieved 2024-05-31 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ SpaceX Booster 7 Experiences Explosion, 11 July 2022, archived from the original on July 11, 2022, retrieved 2022-07-18.
  30. ^ Chopsticks Break Down Before Lifting Booster 7 | SpaceX Boca Chica, 8 August 2022, archived from the original on April 17, 2023, retrieved 2022-08-11.
  31. ^ @spacex (August 11, 2022). "Full duration 20-second static fire of Super Heavy Booster 7" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-08-11 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ @elonmusk (August 13, 2022). "Adding the 13 inner engines" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-08-13 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ @thejackbeyer (August 26, 2022). "Booster 7 and Ship 24 both underwent Raptor engine spin prime testing. Also, F-22 Raptor Fighter Jets were spotted flying over Starbase in preparation for an airshow later in the week" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-08-28 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Starship Testing Causes Grass Fire | SpaceX Boca Chica, September 9, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-09-21.
  35. ^ Starship 25 Nosecone Stacked and Booster 7 Spin Prime Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, September 14, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-09-21.
  36. ^ Booster 8 Rolled Out to the Launch Site for Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, September 21, 2022, archived from the original on August 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-09-21.
  37. ^ Booster 7 Lifted Off the Orbital Launch Mount (and rolled back) | SpaceX Boca Chica, September 22, 2022, archived from the original on April 23, 2023, retrieved 2022-10-12.
  38. ^ Booster 7 Rolled Out for Launch (we hope) | SpaceX Boca Chica, October 8, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-10-12.
  39. ^ Ship 24 Stacked Onto Booster 7 | SpaceX Boca Chica, October 12, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  40. ^ Full Stack Cryo Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, October 27, 2022, archived from the original on August 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  41. ^ Full Stack and Ship 25 Cryogenic Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, November 2, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  42. ^ Ship 24 Destacked from Booster 7 for Static Fire | SpaceX Boca Chica, November 9, 2022, archived from the original on August 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  43. ^ Booster 7 Multi-Engine Spin Prime Test | SpaceX Boca Chica, November 12, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  44. ^ Booster 7 14 Engine Static Fire | SpaceX Boca Chica, November 14, 2022, archived from the original on April 7, 2023, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  45. ^ Booster 7 – 13 Second Static Fire Test | SpaceX Boca Chica, November 29, 2022, archived from the original on December 9, 2022, retrieved 2022-12-09.
  46. ^ Foust, Jeff (2023-01-24). "SpaceX completes Starship wet dress rehearsal". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  47. ^ Chang, Kenneth (2023-02-09). "SpaceX Test Fires 31 Engines on the Most Powerful Rocket Ever". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  48. ^ "SpaceX - Updates". SpaceX. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  49. ^ @RGVaerialphotos (July 8, 2022). "Booster 8 is fully stacked!" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-08-11 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Booster 8 Rolled Out to the Launch Site for Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, September 21, 2022, archived from the original on August 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-10-12.
  51. ^ Superheavy's Massive Fire Suppression System Dramatically Increases Performance, November 24, 2023, archived from the original on November 25, 2023, retrieved 2023-11-25.
  52. ^ How To Prevent Raptors From Destroying SuperHeavy, November 24, 2023, archived from the original on November 25, 2023, retrieved 2024-02-09.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jax (2023-11-18). "Preparing for Flight 2: The Chronological History of S25 & B9". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  54. ^ SpaceX Rolls Starship Booster 9 at Starbase, July 20, 2023, archived from the original on July 20, 2023, retrieved 2023-07-20.
  55. ^ a b Full Replay: SpaceX Launches Second Starship Flight Test, November 18, 2023, archived from the original on November 22, 2023, retrieved 2023-11-30.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p memereview (March 13, 2024). "Onward to Flight 3: The Complete History of S28 & B10". Ringwatchers. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  57. ^ "SpaceX – Updates". May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  58. ^ SpaceX Launches Third Starship Flight Test, March 14, 2024, retrieved 2024-03-14.
  59. ^ Make Way! Starbase Demolitions Clear Room for Starfactory | SpaceX Boca Chica, June 7, 2023, archived from the original on June 7, 2023, retrieved 2023-06-08.
  60. ^ a b c d e f g h i memereview (2024-06-06). "Speeding on to Flight 4: The Chronology of S29 & B11". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  61. ^ SpaceX Static Fires Booster 11. Retrieved 2024-04-05 – via www.youtube.com.
  62. ^ SpaceX Rolls Out Booster 11 for Fourth Starship Flight Test Campaign. Retrieved 2024-05-11 – via www.youtube.com.
  63. ^ Starbase Weekly, Ep.115: NEW Static Fire Stand Testing - Ship 26 At Massey's!. Retrieved 2024-05-11 – via www.youtube.com.
  64. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-05-16). SpaceX Tests the Full Stack of the Fourth Starship Flight Test. Retrieved 2024-05-16 – via YouTube.
  65. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-05-20). SpaceX Performs Wet Dress Rehearsal of Fourth Starship Flight Stack. Retrieved 2024-05-20 – via YouTube.
  66. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-05-28). SpaceX Performs Second Wet Dress Rehearsal of Fourth Starship Flight Stack. Retrieved 2024-05-28 – via YouTube.
  67. ^ a b "Starship Flight 4". SpaceX. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  68. ^ CSI Starbase (2024-09-22). Q&A with CSI Starbase | Fire and Ice Review. Retrieved 2024-09-23 – via YouTube.
  69. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (September 22, 2024). "Starship Super Heavy Booster Flight 4" (Tweet). Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
  70. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-10). Can SpaceX Catch a Starship Super Heavy? (Like Falcon 9?). Retrieved 2024-10-11 – via YouTube.
  71. ^ Make Way! Starbase Demolitions Clear Room for Starfactory | SpaceX Boca Chica, June 7, 2023, archived from the original on June 7, 2023, retrieved 2023-06-08.
  72. ^ a b c memereview (2024-10-13). "Flight 5, Super Heavy's Return Home: The Complete History of S30 & B12". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  73. ^ Booster 12 Rolled Into Mega Bay 1 for Raptor Installation | SpaceX Boca Chica, January 24, 2024, archived from the original on January 24, 2024, retrieved 2024-01-24.
  74. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-07-10). Booster 12 Placed on the Orbital Launch Mount for Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-07-10 – via YouTube.
  75. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-07-12). SpaceX Tests Starship Super Heavy Booster 12 - Engine Testing. Retrieved 2024-07-12 – via YouTube.
  76. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-07-15). SpaceX Booster 12 Static Fire - SOUND ON. Retrieved 2024-07-16 – via YouTube.
  77. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-07-16). SpaceX Rolls Back Booster 12 after Static Fire Test. Retrieved 2024-07-16 – via YouTube.
  78. ^ Weber, Ryan (2024-08-09). "Flight 5 and 6 Preparations Underway as SpaceX reveals Raptor 3". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  79. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-09-21). SpaceX Stacks Ship 30 on Booster 12 | Starbase. Retrieved 2024-09-21 – via YouTube.
  80. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-09-23). SpaceX Tests the Stack for the Fifth Flight of Starship - Booster 12 and Ship 30. Retrieved 2024-09-23 – via YouTube.
  81. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-07). SpaceX Tests the Stack for the Fifth Flight of Starship - Booster 12 and Ship 30. Retrieved 2024-10-07 – via YouTube.
  82. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-11). FTS Installed Before Launch & Potential Catch | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-10-11 – via YouTube.
  83. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-09). Countdown to Launch - FTS Installed, and TFR Posted!. Retrieved 2024-10-10 – via YouTube.
  84. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-11). SpaceX Launches Starship for the Fifth Time (and Tries to Catch a Booster). Retrieved 2024-10-13 – via YouTube.
  85. ^ Bergin, Chris [@nasaspaceflight] (October 13, 2024). "Booster 12 has been returned to the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM), and the Booster Stand is staged down Highway 4" (Tweet). Retrieved October 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
  86. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (October 13, 2024). "Just inspected the Starship booster, which the arms have now placed back in its launch mount. Looks great!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
  87. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-16). Booster 12 Gets Hero's Return for Post Catch Inspections! | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-10-16 – via YouTube.
  88. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-15). SpaceX Rolls Booster 12 to the Production Site After Catch | Starbase. Retrieved 2024-10-15 – via YouTube.
  89. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-23). Booster 13 Rolled Out While Booster 12's Hotstage Ring is Recovered | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-10-23 – via YouTube.
  90. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-31). New Starship Block 2 Cryo Proof Tested | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-10-31 – via YouTube.
  91. ^ A Day to Launch - Everything you Need to Know! - Countdown to Launch XXL. Retrieved 2024-11-18 – via www.youtube.com.
  92. ^ a b c memereview (2024-11-19). "Flight 6, The end of Block 1 Starship: The History of S31 & B13". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  93. ^ Coming Soon: Starship Propellant Transfer Demos | SpaceX Starbase Update. Retrieved 2024-04-29 – via www.youtube.com.
  94. ^ "SpaceX Starship Booster 13 LOX fill test looks successful". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  95. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-22). SpaceX Rolls Booster 13 to the Launch Site | Starbase. Retrieved 2024-10-22 – via YouTube.
  96. ^ a b NASASpaceflight (2024-10-24). SpaceX Tests Super Heavy 13 Booster for Starship Flight 6. Retrieved 2024-10-24 – via YouTube.
  97. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-11-13). SpaceX Rolls Booster 13 to the Launch Site | Starbase Starship. Retrieved 2024-11-14 – via YouTube.
  98. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-11-14). SpaceX Stacks Ship 31 on Booster 13 | Starbase Starship. Retrieved 2024-11-15 – via YouTube.
  99. ^ Weber, Ryan (2024-11-18). "SpaceX prepare for Starship Flight 6, another Booster catch and a daylight Ship splashdown". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  100. ^ SpaceX Tests the Stack for the Sixth Flight of Starship - Booster 13 and Ship 31. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via www.youtube.com.
  101. ^ "Starship's Sixth Flight Test". SpaceX. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  102. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-11-16). SpaceX Launches Starship Flight 6 (and Catches a Booster). Retrieved 2024-11-19 – via YouTube.
  103. ^ @SpaceX (May 11, 2024). "Super Heavy booster for Flight 4 moving to the pad at Starbase" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  104. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-05). Humans for Scale - Starship Flight 5 Preps Continue | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-10-05 – via YouTube.
  105. ^ Marcus House (2024-10-05). Good or bad news for Starship Flight 5?, SpaceX Ground Themselves!?, and Vulcan Flight 2 Success!. Retrieved 2024-10-05 – via YouTube.
  106. ^ Bergin, Chris [@nasaspaceflight] (October 5, 2024). "As Ship 30 prepares to be restacked with Booster 12" (Tweet). Retrieved October 5, 2024 – via Twitter.
  107. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-08). SpaceX Prepared for Upcoming Starship Flight 5 | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-10-08 – via YouTube.
  108. ^ Golden, Zack [@csi_starbase] (July 23, 2024). "First upgraded aft section spotted for Booster 15! Internal COPVs for the landing tank are a very interesting upgrade" (Tweet). Retrieved July 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
  109. ^ @VickiCocks15 (October 15, 2024). "The first section of B16 was spotted being moved from one part of Starfactory to another" (Tweet). Retrieved October 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
  110. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-10-21). Flight 6 Preps Underway | Starbase Update. Retrieved 2024-10-22 – via YouTube.
  111. ^ "Laying the groundwork for Super Heavy amid Raptor Ramp Up". NasaSpaceflight.com. 30 May 2021. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2023. BN2 and BN2.1 sections were classed as test sections and were never set to become more than test tanks
  112. ^ Hot-Staging Ring Ready For Action! Starbase Flyover Update Episode 13!, August 22, 2023, archived from the original on August 22, 2023, retrieved 2023-08-22
  113. ^ a b NASASpaceflight (2024-06-25). SpaceX Tests Chopstick System for Catch Using B14.1. Retrieved 2024-06-26 – via YouTube.
  114. ^ a b NASASpaceflight (2024-08-18). Unusual Starship V2 Hardware Spotted | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-08-18 – via YouTube.
  115. ^ @BocaChicaGal (June 3, 2021). "This afternoon the BN2.1 test tank is ready to roll to the pad at SpaceX Starbase" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  116. ^ Super Heavy Test Tank Cryogenic Proof Test. NASASpaceflight. 8 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  117. ^ Super Heavy Test Tank Cryogenic Proof Test #2. NASASpaceflight. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  118. ^ @NASASpaceflight (1 December 2021). "Test Tank B2.1 has decided it's time to get frosty" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  119. ^ Bergin, Chris [@NASASpaceflight] (December 3, 2021). "Test Tank B2.1 is undergoing more testing today, supplied by the Orbital Launch Site's Tank Farm on what is a very foggy morning" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  120. ^ a b c d Why SpaceX Could Be Forced To Abandon Starship Payloads Until 2024!, March 22, 2023, archived from the original on December 13, 2023, retrieved 2023-12-13.
  121. ^ Superheavy's Massive Fire Suppression System Dramatically Increases Performance, November 24, 2023, archived from the original on November 25, 2023, retrieved 2023-11-29.
  122. ^ Jax (2023-12-16). "Feeding The Beast: Super Heavy's Propellant Distribution System". Ringwatchers. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  123. ^ Starlink Loader Moved Into Potential Clean Room | SpaceX Boca Chica, July 19, 2022, archived from the original on May 1, 2023, retrieved 2022-07-22.
  124. ^ B7.1 Test Tank Tested | SpaceX Starbase, June 28, 2022, archived from the original on May 3, 2023, retrieved 2022-07-22.
  125. ^ Ship 24 Raptor Engines Tested with Two Spin Primes | SpaceX Boca Chica, July 22, 2022, archived from the original on August 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-07-25.
  126. ^ a b Jax (2022-12-31). "Remembering 2022: What Happened to Starship This Year?". Ringwatchers. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  127. ^ Bergin, Chris [@NASASpaceflight] (September 16, 2022). "Booster 7 preparing for a potential Static Fire test and Test Tank B7.1 rolling away from the launch site down Highway 4" (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-12-01 – via Twitter.
  128. ^ SpaceX Starbase Equipment Destroyed and Massive Site Changes Coming!, December 16, 2023, archived from the original on December 16, 2023, retrieved 2023-12-16.
  129. ^ @Ringwatchers (July 31, 2023). "The test article at the Massey's testing site is labelled the "Hot Stage Load Head", and will be used to qualify the interstage against the aerodynamic forces it will experience during flight. There are 3 main components to this" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-13 – via Twitter.
  130. ^ @StarshipGazer (July 30, 2023). "New Hot Staging test section rolled out today. Label on it says "Hot Stage Load Head"" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-13 – via Twitter.
  131. ^ @cnunezimages (August 9, 2023). "Image Taken: August 7, 2023" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-13 – via Twitter.
  132. ^ S26: LAUNCH OR SCRAP?! – Starbase Flyover Update Episode 22, November 2, 2023, archived from the original on December 19, 2023, retrieved 2023-12-19.
  133. ^ SpaceX Revving Up for Starship Flight 3: | Starbase Update, January 29, 2024, archived from the original on January 29, 2024, retrieved 2024-01-29.
  134. ^ RGV Aerial Photography (2024-05-29). Starbase Tower 2 Foundations | Flyover Update Episode 43. Retrieved 2024-05-30 – via YouTube.
  135. ^ NASASpaceflight (2024-06-22). New Ablative Material Spotted on Ship 30 | SpaceX Boca Chica. Retrieved 2024-06-22 – via YouTube.
  136. ^ NASASpaceflight (2021-07-12). Starbase Live: 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development From SpaceX's Boca Chica Facility. Retrieved 2024-06-22 – via YouTube.
  137. ^ Romera, Alejandro [@alexphysics13] (June 27, 2024). "Shortly after this SpaceX performed another slap but this time higher than the slaps from yesterday. They've done that now two times, this is video of that second time. The chopsticks have gone down since and they may be slapping lower like yesterday" (Tweet). Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Twitter.
  138. ^ Anderson, Niall [@iniallanderson] (August 15, 2024). "SpaceX have been spending the last couple hours squeezing B14.1" (Tweet). Retrieved August 16, 2024 – via Twitter.
  139. ^ a b Aravelo, Evelyn (2020-01-10). "SpaceX conducted a pressure test on a Starship dome tank at Boca Chica today". Tesmaian. Archived from the original on 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  140. ^ a b SpaceX Boca Chica – Starship Test Tank 2 Destructive Cryo Test (YouTube). NASASpaceflight. 2020-01-29. Archived from the original on 2021-02-18. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  141. ^ Ralph, Eric (January 12, 2020). "SpaceX just blew up a Starship tank on purpose and Elon Musk says the results are in". Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  142. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (2020-01-27). "Starship 9m test tank made 7.5 bar at room temp! Small leak at a weld double. Will be repaired & retested at cryo. https://t.co/Bz3lrwkYRU" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2021-08-22 – via Twitter.
  143. ^ Chris Bergin – NSF [@NASASpaceflight] (28 January 2020). "Farewell Test Tank 2, and we thank you. https://t.co/Je69rLmr28 https://t.co/AUpIb7kv24" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via Twitter.
  144. ^ Musk, Elon [@elonmusk] (January 29, 2020). "8.5 bar" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  145. ^ GSE Test Tank Undergoes Cryogenic Proof Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, August 26, 2021, archived from the original on April 27, 2023, retrieved 2022-01-19.
  146. ^ GSE-4 Tank Fails During Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica, January 18, 2022, archived from the original on August 11, 2023, retrieved 2022-01-20
  147. ^ The SpaceX Military Starship Is Real! How's This Going To End?, December 12, 2023, archived from the original on December 12, 2023, retrieved 2023-12-12.