Tag: Boca Chica
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Ship 24 rolls out for testing while Booster 7 receives Raptors
The recent focus at Starbase has been Booster 7 and Ship 24. Booster 7 appears to have completed its series of cryogenic proof testing and is now being prepared for static fire tests. Ship 24, meanwhile, has rolled out to the launch site for its own cryogenic tests ahead of engine install, static fires, and…
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One year since SN15, Starbase lays groundwork for orbital attempt
It’s been a whole year since the last launch out of Starbase, Texas – as SpaceX continues to lay the groundwork for the orbital launch attempt. Somewhat a victim of their own success, the achievement of SN15’s test flight removed the need for additional “hops,” with Chief Designer Elon Musk opting to go all-in on…
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SpaceX testing and building boosters at Starbase as Florida Starship factory begins construction
Booster 7 has been returned to the High Bay after undergoing two ambient tests and a cryogenic test at the orbital launch site. Teams have, in the meantime, continued progress on the construction of Booster 8, while welcoming new Raptor 2 engines to Starbase in support of the eventual orbital test flight for Starship and…
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SpaceX retires old Starship vehicles, puts new ones to the test
SpaceX is continuing to make progress with its prototype Starship vehicles, with Booster 7 undergoing a full cryoproofing test on Monday night. The move to the latest iteration of Super Heavy marks the end of service for Booster 4 and Ship 20, which has conducted numerous ground test objectives. Ship 24 – likely to pair…
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Starship undergoing full-stack cryoproofing while Florida ramps up
Preparations are underway for the next milestone for the Starship program, following the stacking of Ship 20 atop Booster 4. For the third time, the second using the Mechazilla chopstick system, Starbase has a full-stack at the Orbital Launch Site, this time setting up a cryoproofing test with both the Booster and Ship stacked together.…
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Frosty Texas vehicles and groundwork in Florida ahead of Starship evolution
Future vehicles are continuing to take shape in what appears to be a multi-flow of preparations at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas. While Booster 4 and Ship 20 continue to provide valuable ground test data at the launch site, modifications are being employed on future Boosters and Ships undergoing preparation down the road at…
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Musk outlines Starship progress towards self-sustaining Mars city
SpaceX Chief Designer Elon Musk has provided the first overview for the Starship Program since 2019, announcing a roadmap towards building a self-sustaining city on Mars. With Starship, a rapid and completely reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle, as the focal point, Musk hopes to achieve the goal of an orbital test launch this year, followed…
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Booster 4 and Ship 20 pair up for Starship update
Providing a backdrop to Elon Musk’s long-awaited Starship update, Booster 4 and Ship 20 have been fully stacked at the Orbital Launch Site. Booster 4 was lifted onto the Mount on Sunday, ahead of the use of the Mechazilla chopsticks to stack Ship 20 on Wednesday night. Musk is set to present the latest updates…
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Chopsticks tested ahead of first Mechazilla stacking operation
Having conducted the first series of Mechazilla catch and stack systems tests, SpaceX’s Starship program has come one step closer to seeing another fully stacked Starship on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM). Several tests were conducted with the chopsticks, paving the way for the first lift of a booster and a ship’s potential stacking following…
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Amid Ship 20 test success, Starbase prepares future Starships
With a significant milestone under its belt, Ship 20 awaits the next steps in preparing for an orbital velocity flight test, likely watching on as Super Heavy Booster 4 undergoes a more ambitious ground test campaign. The continued preparations with Ship 20 and Booster 4 continue amid a traffic jam of vehicles back at the…