{"id":23678,"date":"2025-10-28T21:03:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T13:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starbase-pad-1-demolition-begins-for-next-gen-upgrades\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T12:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T04:45:22","slug":"starbase-pad-1-demolition-begins-for-next-gen-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starbase-pad-1-demolition-begins-for-next-gen-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"Starbase Pad 1 demolition begins for Next-Gen upgrades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX has kicked off a significant demolition and upgrade phase at its Starbase facility, targeting Pad 1 to align it with the advanced capabilities of Pad 2.<\/p>\n<p>The work, which began shortly after the successful Flight 11 mission, involves dismantling key components of the launch infrastructure to accommodate Version 3 Starships and Super Heavy boosters.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Inside SpaceX's Pad 1 Teardown Ahead of Revamp | Starbase Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4Ue0yaOubTs?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>The demolition efforts started with the iconic \u201cchopsticks\u201d of the \u201cMechazilla system\u201d \u2013 the massive mechanical arms on the launch tower used for catching and stacking boosters and ships.<\/p>\n<p>Crews have been systematically removing outdated hardware, including the sleds at the ends of the arms, which previously helped center vehicles on the landing rails during lifts and post-catch operations. These sleds are no longer necessary with the updated designs.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110140\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2284\" height=\"1288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821.jpg 2284w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821-350x197.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821-621x350.jpg 621w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821-1920x1083.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-57-58-821-1170x660.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2284px) 100vw, 2284px\">\n<\/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>Additionally, the ship lift pins \u2013 one per arm \u2013 have been extracted. These pins, used for stacking earlier Version 1 and 2 ships via dedicated sockets, are being phased out in favor of the new catch pins that will handle both catching and lifting functions.<\/p>\n<p>Teams also removed the long wire rope responsible for raising and lowering the chopstick carriage. Speculation points to a potential upgrade from the current 5-loop traveling block to a 6-loop system, similar to Pad 2, which could enhance stability and speed.<\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s a remote possibility of fully detaching the chopstick system for off-site work, current activities suggest the existing arms will be modified in place.<\/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>NASA mission updates<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>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>This launch pad overhaul is driven by lessons learned over Pad 1\u2019s lifetime and which have been introduced with Pad 2\u2019s construction.<\/p>\n<p>Pad 2 features shorter arms for quicker movements, improved stabilizer arms that extend further to avoid interfering with a ship\u2019s aft flaps during catches, and redesigned landing rails compatible with the evolved catch pin geometry on Version 3 vehicles. The Starship tower at KSC\u2019s 39A also features the shorter chopsticks.<\/p>\n<p>By retrofitting Pad 1, SpaceX aims to standardize operations across all pads, ensuring compatibility with future flights while at the same time improving systems across the board \u2013 a key SpaceX\u2019s design philosophy that applies to most of its programs.<\/p>\n<p>It also provides a roadmap for the already progressing work at 39A and future work at the Cape\u2019s SLC-37 that has since been cleared from its ULA infrastructure to allow for SpaceX to build its two Starship pads.<\/p>\n<p>The Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) at Pad 1 will be the most visually prominent element of deconstruction. Green paint markings now outline sections slated for cutting.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110139\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2284\" height=\"1288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703.jpg 2284w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703-350x197.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703-621x350.jpg 621w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703-1920x1083.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-20-59-25-703-1170x660.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2284px) 100vw, 2284px\">Work is already underway, removing several of the internal components such as piping, wiring, valves, and other components ahead of the major launch mount cutting. Based on the green paint marks, it is expected that the cutting work will start from the top, with pieces of the launch mount deck being taken one by one, before proceeding with the cutting of the bottom half of the ring. External pipes have similarly been marked for disassembly, signaling a comprehensive gutting of the mount.<\/p>\n<p>This demolition is part of Starbase\u2019s ongoing evolution, where structures are frequently built, modified, or razed to incorporate new technologies. Past examples also include short-lived features like the \u201cGateway to Mars\u201d sign.<\/p>\n<p>Demolition extends to the tank farm, where Pad 1\u2019s outdated subcoolers, pumps, and auxiliary hardware are being dismantled.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110143\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-05-25-733.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1611\" height=\"1104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-05-25-733.jpg 1611w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-05-25-733-350x240.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-05-25-733-511x350.jpg 511w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-05-25-733-768x526.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-05-25-733-1170x802.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1611px) 100vw, 1611px\">Each pad at Starbase maintains independent systems for propellant supply, allowing isolated operations without redundant equipment. The removal includes exhaust pipework from liquid oxygen (LOX) subcoolers and the pumps themselves, with parts like motors and plumbing already cleared out. As early as Tuesday, Oct. 28, teams had already started to do a similar demolition work on the liquid methane side of the tank farm.<\/p>\n<p>A notable change is the dismantling of the protective berm on the eastern side, which shielded the area from Raptor engine exhaust during static fires and launches. According to documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this berm will be replaced by a blast wall akin to Pad 2\u2019s setup. The cleared space will become an access road linked to a new roundabout on Highway 4.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-110145\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2280\" height=\"1278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697.jpg 2280w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697-624x350.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697-1920x1076.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NSF-2025-10-28-21-12-38-697-1170x656.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2280px) 100vw, 2280px\">Looking ahead, Starbase\u2019s master plan includes southward expansion for a new flame trench at Pad 1 and an enlarged deluge tank farm. This could eventually lead to replacing the current deluge system with a more robust version, mirroring Pad 2\u2019s enhancements for better water suppression during launches.<\/p>\n<p>From recent work observed in the area, it appears that SpaceX is in fact already undergoing demolition work on Pad 1\u2019s deluge tank farm to prepare for upgrades.<\/p>\n<p>By upgrading Pad 1 to match Pad 2\u2019s standards, the company is positioning Starbase for increased launch cadence and compatibility with advanced vehicle designs \u2013 a key to SpaceX\u2019s Starlink and Mars programs, as well as the return of humans to the lunar surface under NASA\u2019s Artemis program.<\/p>\n<p>Lead Image: Ceaser G for NSF. Full sets of photos (100s of hi-res photos added each week) are available to all L2 Members.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-104822\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1.webp 2000w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1-350x117.webp 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1-630x210.webp 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1-1920x640.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/L2_Membership_ShopBanner_c3acb3ad-719d-484c-8c2d-3ca9d11244f0-1-1170x390.webp 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\"><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;One flare stack short of the Tyrell Corporation&quot; | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mLzbrTkx3cc?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 kicked off a significant demolition and upgrade phase at its Starbase facility, targeting Pad 1 to align it with the advanced capabilities of Pad 2. The work, which began shortly after the successful Flight 11 mission, involves dismantling key components of the launch infrastructure to accommodate Version 3 Starships and Super Heavy boosters. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35465,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7987,316,739,317],"class_list":["post-23678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-pad-1","tag-spacex","tag-starbase","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23678"}],"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=23678"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32686,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23678\/revisions\/32686"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}