{"id":23659,"date":"2025-11-19T22:38:38","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/preparing-pads-for-spacexs-future-starship-cadence\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T22:38:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:38:38","slug":"preparing-pads-for-spacexs-future-starship-cadence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/preparing-pads-for-spacexs-future-starship-cadence\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing pads for SpaceX\u2019s future Starship cadence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As SpaceX ramps up production and testing of its Starship vehicles and engines, significant advancements are unfolding across key launch infrastructure, ranging from the readiness of Pad 2 at Starbase and 39A at KSC to the demolition of parts of Pad 1 ahead of its alignment with SpaceX\u2019s standardized launch site for the future.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Timber! of steel and concrete&quot; | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vWUdSP0f3c0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>From intensified testing at Starbase\u2019s Pad 2 to construction milestones on Florida\u2019s Space Coast, the company is laying the groundwork for future launches, even as demolition efforts reshape older infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The first new launch site to host the Block 3 Starship will be Starbase\u2019s Pad 2 in South Texas, where teams have been conducting extensive tests on the methane side of the tank farm and purging operations on the service structure connected to the launch mount.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2060\" height=\"1124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498.jpg 2060w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498-350x191.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498-630x344.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498-1920x1048.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-12-58-498-1170x638.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2060px) 100vw, 2060px\"><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>SpaceX Starship Program<\/li>\n<li>L2 SpaceX Section<\/li>\n<li>NSF Store<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Over the past week, SpaceX installed the middle hood sections for the two booster quick disconnects, fully enclosing the lines for propellant and other fluids. While major welding has yet to occur, sources suggest this could be a temporary setup to facilitate upcoming tests.<\/p>\n<p>The installation paves the way for a comprehensive evaluation of the water deluge system, including the water-cooled launch mount deck, with some tests already completed.<\/p>\n<p>Recent purging of the top deck has cleared potential obstructions, and additional testing of the flame bucket and ridge cap in the flame trench indicates preparations for coordinated operations during launches.<\/p>\n<p>With the service structure now largely clad, only the removal of scaffolding from the mount\u2019s top deck remains before full-scale testing can commence.<\/p>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>In parallel, the clamp load test rig\u2014affectionately dubbed the \u201cibeproofin\u2019\u201d rig\u2014installed last week continued to undergo evaluations.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1008px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1991040780153086377&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2025%2F11%2Fpreparing-pads-spacexs-starship-cadence%2F&amp;sessionId=99bd79da755692239d29098029951a0c6e569a7d&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1991040780153086377\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Designed to assess loads on the hold-down clamps, the rig has been lifted, rotated, and repositioned multiple times using the SpaceX LR 11000 crane to test different clamp sets. Its removal on Tuesday could signal the arrival of Booster 18 for further testing.<\/p>\n<p>Preparations on Pad 2\u2019s tower are also accelerating, with recent installations of wiring and hydraulic lines leading up to the Ship quick disconnect (SQD) arm level. A new bracket in the area hints at design refinements for the arm, which is still under assembly at the Sanchez lot.<\/p>\n<p>Since the last update, the arm has gained additional pipework and connections to swivel joints linking it to the tower\u2019s ground support equipment, and was then rolled out down Highway 4 Tuesday night.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110663\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2060\" height=\"1124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486.jpg 2060w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486-350x191.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486-630x344.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486-1920x1048.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-16-12-486-1170x638.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2060px) 100vw, 2060px\">Notably, despite Starship Version 3\u2019s increased length, the QD arm on Pad 2 will be mounted lower than its counterpart on Pad 1.<\/p>\n<p>This adjustment accounts for the booster\u2019s modest one-meter growth while accommodating the new mount and flame trench design, which positions the booster several meters lower overall. Future versions with longer booster stretches will benefit from Tower 2\u2019s pre-built connections at higher levels.<\/p>\n<p>The coming days could see a flurry of activity at Pad 2, including water deluge tests, rig removal, Booster 18 rollout, and QD arm installation\u2014potentially all unfolding in rapid succession, true to SpaceX\u2019s fast-paced ethos.<\/p>\n<p>The demolition of Pad 1 continues apace as SpaceX clears the way for upgrades. The launch mount has been stripped to its core legs and attached hardware, with auxiliary elements like steel covers, staircases, and pipes being forcibly removed.<\/p>\n<p>The legs are being dismantled through precise cutting or heavy machinery, similar to methods used at LC-39A\u2019s older Starship pad. Over half of the legs have since been toppled at the time of print. By month\u2019s end, the site may stand empty, marking a symbolic reset for the program.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 562px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-2&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1991311783970152789&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2025%2F11%2Fpreparing-pads-spacexs-starship-cadence%2F&amp;sessionId=99bd79da755692239d29098029951a0c6e569a7d&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1991311783970152789\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Shifting to Florida\u2019s Space Coast, progress at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) includes deliveries of pipes and hardware, along with the installation of the lower hood for the liquid oxygen booster quick disconnect on the new launch mount.<\/p>\n<p>Paperwork indicates tanks may arrive at Port Canaveral this week, possibly destined for the site.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2283\" height=\"1268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016.jpg 2283w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016-350x194.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016-1920x1066.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-20-01-21-41-016-1170x650.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2283px) 100vw, 2283px\">At the nearby Giga Bay construction area, beams and columns for the western section are advancing, while assembly of two tower cranes for the eastern half is underway. The northeast crane, complete with its cab, appears poised for activation soon.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37)\u2014slated for two Starship pads\u2014remains pending.<\/p>\n<p>Originally targeted for completion in autumn 2025, delays from the recent government shutdown pushed timelines back. With the shutdown resolved until January 31, 2026, officials hope to finalize paperwork and initiate foundation work.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110669\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2040\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7.png 2040w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7-350x117.png 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7-630x211.png 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7-768x257.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7-1920x642.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Untitled_2040_x_682_px_7-1170x391.png 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2040px) 100vw, 2040px\">Lead image: Ceaser G for NSF.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Ship 39 Fully Stacked! | Booster 18 Testing Imminent | Starbase Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_-c6YYgVX_E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As SpaceX ramps up production and testing of its Starship vehicles and engines, significant advancements are unfolding across key launch infrastructure, ranging from the readiness of Pad 2 at Starbase and 39A at KSC to the demolition of parts of Pad 1 ahead of its alignment with SpaceX\u2019s standardized launch site for the future. From [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7956,7841,7867,316,739,317],"class_list":["post-23659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-7956","tag-39a","tag-pads","tag-spacex","tag-starbase","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23659"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23659\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}