{"id":23749,"date":"2025-08-05T22:41:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T14:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/how-spacex-modified-pad-1-for-ship-static-fire-tests-to-cover-masseys-downtime\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T22:41:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T14:41:10","slug":"how-spacex-modified-pad-1-for-ship-static-fire-tests-to-cover-masseys-downtime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/how-spacex-modified-pad-1-for-ship-static-fire-tests-to-cover-masseys-downtime\/","title":{"rendered":"How SpaceX modified Pad 1 for Ship Static Fire tests to cover Massey\u2019s downtime"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Following the energetic RUD of Ship 36 at Massey\u2019s on June 18, teams at the launch site focused on modifying the Pad 1 Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) to facilitate ship testing.<\/p>\n<p>This creative initiative has proven to be a success, as Ship 37 conducted two Static Fire tests on Pad 1, paving the way for Flight 10 to target mid-August.<\/p>\n<p>However, as teams began removing the temporary structure to reconfigure the pad for Booster 16 ahead of full-stack operations and launch, the work was halted and reversed. The pad is now being prepared for Ship 37\u2019s return, due to the need to re-test the vehicle after replacing&nbsp;at least one RVac engine on the vehicle currently housed in Mega Bay 2.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship 37 Static Fires TWICE \u2014Progressing Fast Towards Launch! | Starbase Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KINe5uOzC1Y?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 decision to modify the OLM at Pad 1 helped mitigate potential disruptions to the Starship launch cadence, given that a significant portion of Massey\u2019s test site is currently offline due to extensive repair requirements.<\/p>\n<p>To enable Pad 1\u2019s OLM to support ship testing, SpaceX worked diligently to convert a ship transport stand into an OLM adaptor, along with the addition of a Ship QD (SQD) setup on top of the Pad 1 OLM Booster Quick Disconnect (BQD) hood.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-108483\" class=\"wp-image-108483 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-350x215.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-569x350.jpg 569w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-180x110.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-1920x1180.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NSF-2025-08-06-14-39-19-811-1170x719.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-108483\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ship adaptor being lifted onto Pad 1 OLM (Credit: Jack Beyer for NSF)<\/p>\n<p>Ship transport stand to OLM adaptor conversion<\/p>\n<p>The stand was modified with the addition of six posts, strategically positioned between the top and bottom rings of the stand.<\/p>\n<p>These posts served as critical attachment points for the bracing on the ends of the Raptor Vacuum (RVac) nozzles, a crucial measure to mitigate potential nozzle damage during static fire testing. Flow separation at sea level poses a significant risk of RVac nozzle destruction if adequate bracing is not implemented.<\/p>\n<p>NASA educational resources<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>Aerospace &amp; Defense<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>Furthermore, steel plates have been welded into the stand\u2019s openings. These plates were anticipated to minimize the escape of engine exhaust plumes out the sides of the stand, thereby helping protect the 20 Raptor engine Quick Disconnects (QDs) along with other hardware within the OLM during ship testing. These plates may also contribute to the structural reinforcement of the stand.<\/p>\n<p>A further enhancement involved reinforcing the underside of the stand\u2019s bottom ring to ensure proper integration with the OLM.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-108214\" class=\"wp-image-108214 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-350x197.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-621x350.jpg 621w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-1920x1082.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250713-R2206643-wmarked-1-1-1170x659.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-108214\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ship transport stand being modified into an OLM adaptor (Credit: Ceaser G for NSF)<\/p>\n<p>Regarding the interface between the adapter and the OLM, SpaceX initiated the process by removing all 20 booster hold-down clamps from the OLM arms. Subsequently, new blocks were bolted onto the ends of these arms.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the adapter was lowered into the opening in the middle of the OLM to meet up with these new blocks, and the blocks were then welded to the adaptor\u2019s sides, thus establishing a secure connection between the OLM and the adapter.<\/p>\n<p>This secure connection was critical for ship static fire testing, as it was imperative to prevent any unintended vehicle lift-off during such testing procedures.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-108191\" class=\"wp-image-108191 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-1920x1281.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250727_183023-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-108191\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Adaptor blocks on ends of Pad 1 OLM hold down arms (Credit: Jack Beyer for<\/p>\n<p>OLM Booster QD to Ship QD conversion<\/p>\n<p>To accommodate the integration of new pipework, modifications were made to the Booster Quick Disconnect (BQD) on the Pad 1 OLM. These modifications included the creation of new openings in the BQD hood to allow for the new pipework to interface with the BQD Ground Support Equipment (GSE) line connection points under the BQD hood.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, new framework was welded to the rear and top of the hood, providing a pathway for this pipework, which originates from the hood openings and extends to the top of the hood, adjacent to the hood door.<\/p>\n<p>These modifications were expected to facilitate the integration of a QD plate on the ends of the new pipework, enabled by flexi hoses connecting these points together, or alternatively, direct interface of the flexi hoses with the QD panel on the ship. Both configurations enable Pad 1 OLM to supply propellant for ship testing at this location.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-108193\" class=\"wp-image-108193 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-350x197.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-621x350.jpg 621w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-1920x1082.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/20250726-R2207624-wmarked-1-1170x659.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-108193\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">. Ship QD set up on top of Pad 1 BQD hood (Credit: Ceaser G for NSF)<\/p>\n<p>Other required modifications for OLM ship testing<\/p>\n<p>Prior to ship testing, the software of all GSE designated for use had to be modified. The current software configuration, optimized for booster testing and launches on this launch mount, is incompatible with ship testing requirements. Specifically, the propellant load speeds and timing parameters were predicted to be excessively aggressive for ship operations and require adjustment.<\/p>\n<p>As a standard operating procedure, it was imperative to conduct independent testing of the recently installed ship QD system to validate its functionality prior to its usage with any ships.<\/p>\n<p>All this planning came to fruition with the two Static Fire tests of Ship 37 over recent days. The initial single-engine \u201cin-space burn\u201d firing was followed the day after by a six-engine test, both of which SpaceX cited as successful.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Not one, but TWO Starship Static Fires&quot; | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_Fay6_UVZpQ?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<p>Ship 37 was then removed from the OLM and rolled back to the Production Site for final pre-launch preparations.<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, SpaceX began removing ship-related hardware from Pad 1, starting with the BQD Hood and then the stand, which was taken away later in the day.<br \/>\n<iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 565px; 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=1952122879048577278&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2025%2F08%2Fspacex-pad-1-tests-masseys%2F&amp;sessionId=9de8df82e0c88b10adf02469a3956951de36ccea&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=\"1952122879048577278\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>However, sometime on Monday, work was halted and then reversed, which alerted observers to a potential return of Ship 37, via the requirement to conduct a new Static Fire test when engines are replaced on the vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion<\/p>\n<p>While the damage sustained at the Massey\u2019s test site due to the Ship 36 Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly (RUD) is regrettable, necessitating this course of action by SpaceX, the rapid development of a system enabling ship testing on Pad 1 OLM is commendable and is expected to mitigate potential impacts on the Starship program\u2019s launch cadence.<\/p>\n<p><em>Featured Image: Ship 37 on Pad 1 (A) for Static Fire Testing (Credit: Ceaser G for NSF\/L2)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following the energetic RUD of Ship 36 at Massey\u2019s on June 18, teams at the launch site focused on modifying the Pad 1 Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) to facilitate ship testing. This creative initiative has proven to be a success, as Ship 37 conducted two Static Fire tests on Pad 1, paving the way for [&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":[8028,7986,1002,316,739,8043],"class_list":["post-23749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-flight-10","tag-olm","tag-ship-37","tag-spacex","tag-starbase","tag-starstool"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23749"}],"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=23749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23749\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}