{"id":23666,"date":"2025-11-13T00:11:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T16:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacex-progress-on-starship-pad-realignment-for-the-future\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T00:11:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T16:11:12","slug":"spacex-progress-on-starship-pad-realignment-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacex-progress-on-starship-pad-realignment-for-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX progress on Starship Pad realignment for the future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX has intensified demolition efforts at Starbase\u2019s Pad 1, in tandem with making significant steps toward constructing an advanced launch infrastructure for its Starship program at Starbase and the Kennedy Space Center. Eventually, all three pads are expected to be near mirrors of each other, hosting the next generation Starship launches.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"From Demolition to Installation: Starship Ramps on Both Coasts | Starbase Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-oIjS0thocM?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>Over at Starbase\u2019s Pad 1, crews have removed large sections of the launch mount, including the protective shielding around the walkway and portions of the launch ring itself, as the site undergoes a comprehensive overhaul.<\/p>\n<p>The demolition has progressed rapidly. The booster quick disconnect assembly was dismantled after being cut into manageable sections, with most external piping on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) now cleared. It is understood that once the upper launch ring is fully removed, internal hardware will follow, leaving only the OLM legs intact.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755.jpg 2289w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755-1920x1075.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-04-57-40-755-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2289px) 100vw, 2289px\">The process was not without challenges. At least one fire erupted inside the launch mount during operations but was swiftly extinguished. Ironically, Pad 1 supported 11 launches of the world\u2019s most powerful rocket without incident, yet demolition sparked the blaze.<\/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>Concurrently, retention ponds south of the pad have been filled with soil, likely sourced from the removal of the tank farm berm. The deluge plate has been buried under debris from the mount, raising expectations that its removal could begin soon.<\/p>\n<p>Although future Starship pads will employ a traditional flame trench, the deluge plate did prove its worth as a mitigation measure against the rock tornado observed during Flight 1.<\/p>\n<p>It should also be stressed that the teardown is not the end for Pad 1 but a prelude to upgrades. SpaceX aims to rebuild with enhanced designs, including improvements to the launch tower.<\/p>\n<p>While the tower structure remains, outdated systems are being targeted for replacement. For instance, the rear base housing the drawworks\u2014for elevating the \u201cchopsticks\u201d catch arms\u2014has been removed to accommodate a reinforced version seen on Tower 2. The drawworks unit was transported out of Starbase for refurbishment.<\/p>\n<p>Aerospace industry analysis<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Technology News<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Space Shuttle<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>Additional tower work includes new maintenance lines for platforms along the columns, facilitating upgrades to rails and steel. The damping system on the chopsticks\u2019 landing rails has also been dismantled for enhancements.<\/p>\n<p>Tank farm operations have seen further stripping, with subcoolers and pipes removed from Pad 1\u2019s side. At least six subcoolers were shipped to SpaceX\u2019s McGregor test site, though their exact purpose remains unclear.<\/p>\n<p>Shifting focus to Florida\u2019s Space Coast, Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) achieved a key milestone with the installation of its new Starship launch mount.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;\" 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=1985742335528096170&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2025%2F11%2Fspacex-starship-pad-realignment-future%2F&amp;sessionId=a49ef18fc8e5b22733953df42c2d9a6c315c3077&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\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783493173650235367=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Up close and personal with 39A&#8217;s OLM for Starship via Max Evans (@_mgde_)https:\/\/t.co\/fCW6lZAX18 pic.twitter.com\/oEVVQWRR8z<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NSF \u2013 NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) November 4, 2025<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>On November 4, the mount was transported from the Roberts Road Operations Area to the pad in a four-hour operation. The following day, a single LR 13000 crane lifted and positioned it atop the flame trench, requiring rotation and clearance from one chopstick arm.<\/p>\n<p>Compared to Starbase\u2019s Pad 2\u2014where a similar mount was installed in May\u2014LC-39A\u2019s version arrived more complete, featuring pre-installed deluge manifolds, booster quick disconnect brackets, and a methane hood.<\/p>\n<p>However, LC-39A\u2019s tank farm lags behind, with recent deliveries including a vertical tank and four water deluge tanks by barge to Kennedy Space Center\u2019s Turning Basin, joining three already on site.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110474\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943.jpg 2289w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943-1920x1075.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-03-35-943-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2289px) 100vw, 2289px\">SpaceX targets Starship launches from Florida in 2026, potentially aligning with Pad 2\u2019s timeline despite the six-month gap. However, when exactly in 2026 remains an open question.<\/p>\n<p>Back at Starbase\u2019s Pad 2, finishing touches dominate. The service structure now boasts thick steel cladding and a vault-like blast door on one entrance, with another expected soon.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279.jpg 2289w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279-1920x1075.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-04-32-279-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2289px) 100vw, 2289px\">Additional shielding protects interfaces with the mount and flame trench, alongside more covers on vents. Launch mount activities included gas purging of the water-cooled top deck to clear debris, preceding full water tests. Flame trench deluge systems were retested this week.<\/p>\n<p>A highlight was the rollout of a test adapter dubbed \u201cI Be Proofin\u2019\u201d on November 6, designed to simulate a fully fueled Starship\u2019s weight on hold-down arms.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110476\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974.jpg 2289w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974-1920x1075.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-05-09-974-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2289px) 100vw, 2289px\"><br \/>\nEchoing a 2023 test on Pad 1, this setup\u2014featuring \u201cSpaceX Development Test\u201d markings\u2014will verify arm strength, adapted for Pad 2\u2019s flame trench.<\/p>\n<p>Other Pad 2 developments include high-speed retraction tests of booster quick disconnects, mysterious frames on their hoods, and progress on the ship quick disconnect arm at the Sanchez lot, now fitted with pipework. Heavy lifting gear, including the reactivated LR 11000 crane, signals imminent installation.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110477\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090.jpg 2289w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090-1920x1075.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NSF-2025-11-12-05-06-26-090-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2289px) 100vw, 2289px\">Tank farm testing continued, focusing on liquid oxygen supply to the tower. This amid the resumption of piling work across the road for the Air Separation Unit, though full facility details are pending. In a lighter note, trees planted near the launch site wall raise eyebrows about their longevity amid operations.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, they will be in the firing line for what is expected to be a big increase in launch cadence with the Block 3 Starship in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>(Lead Image: NSF imagery of SpaceX\u2019s three Starship pads).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;A mystery that makes sense&quot; | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t_3F9FRLTBI?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>SpaceX has intensified demolition efforts at Starbase\u2019s Pad 1, in tandem with making significant steps toward constructing an advanced launch infrastructure for its Starship program at Starbase and the Kennedy Space Center. Eventually, all three pads are expected to be near mirrors of each other, hosting the next generation Starship launches. Over at Starbase\u2019s Pad [&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":[7841,7867,316,739,317],"class_list":["post-23666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-39a","tag-pads","tag-spacex","tag-starbase","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23666"}],"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=23666"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23666\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}