SpaceX is making final preparations for the next Starship flight, focusing on the Orbital Launch Pad (OLP). Booster 10 and Ship 28 are expected to return to the launch site soon, ahead of a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) that will pave the way for the third launch of the planet’s largest and most powerful rocket.
Upcoming Wet Dress Rehearsal
With both Ship 28 and Booster 10 set to return to the pad soon, SpaceX is on track to have the vehicles ready for launch by the end of January.
Recent developments include Ship 28 being moved off the turntable and placed on a transport stand. Once both vehicles are back on the pad, a WDR similar to the last two flights is anticipated.
This WDR is particularly important due to the upgrades and changes to the Orbital Tarm Farm (OTF). Since Flight 2, SpaceX has made several enhancements, such as adding extra pumps and subcoolers and modifying the plumbing to separate the ship subcoolers from the booster ones. These improvements are aimed at increasing the efficiency of fueling the stack.
Changes to the Orbital Tank Farm and Launch Site
Following the rollback of Booster 10 and Ship 28, SpaceX started removing and scrapping the old water tank and one of the repurposed Methane tanks. The old water tank had been abandoned due to early leaks, and SpaceX had to discard it.
The water tank, like other cryo tanks, was just a cryo shell without additional reinforcement. The role of this water tank was taken over by repurposed methane tanks used for heat exchangers in the cryo bunker. These heat exchangers likely aid in heating up Liquid Nitrogen, which is then used for purging and pressurizing the cryo lines.
SpaceX is also reinforcing the cryo shell of the Liquid Nitrogen Tank and the remaining Water tank exposed to exhaust plumes with large vertical I beams and cross supports. This reinforcement is necessary due to damage to the cryo shells from sound waves caused by engine firings during static fires and launches.
In recent weeks, SpaceX has been making small upgrades across the OLP. The HESCO barriers near the main blast wall protecting the tank farm have been removed and are being replaced by a concrete wall. Plates are being added at the base of the tower to address erosion caused by engine firings.
The Ship Quick disconnect arm has been repainted, and upgrades are possibly underway for the arm. Additionally, several burn plates on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) ring, especially those near the Booster Quick Disconnect, have been replaced. These plates act as ablative armor for the OLM deck and inner ring.
Furthermore, SpaceX is repairing remaining damage from Flight 1, including welds inside the OLM. There is still ongoing work to ensure easy refurbishment of the pad.
Tower Two and Sanchez
SpaceX has initiated the assembly of tower two at Sanchez, with pieces for the top section that holds the pulleys for the draw works arriving recently. An area dedicated to building the second tower and pad has been established at Sanchez, and materials for the construction are expected to be shipped from the Cape.
The location of the second tower is yet to be confirmed, although older animations shown by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggested it would be to the south. Starbase General Manager Kathryn Lueders mentioned it would be a launch tower a few weeks ago.
SpaceX is also working on the second Booster transport stand and the second Ship work stand for the Ship Bay. Once these are completed, work will commence on the third transport stand and work stand.
Ship 26 has been undergoing engine installation since January 10, and SpaceX is adding more stringers to the payload section. It is still unknown what Ship 26 will be utilized for in the future, but it is likely to be a structural test article.
Production Site
Significant progress has been made on Starfactory, with the New High Bay (Ship Bay) nearly completed and being equipped. The roof of the new Ship Bay is almost finished, and lighting and elevator equipment are being installed. Footings are being dug out where Tent 3 was located, which will form the final section of the factory.
The Ringyard area has been cleared out as SpaceX starts the final section of Starfactory. Some components have been relocated, and the remaining items have been moved to the new scrap yard in Sanchez.
Masseys
Following the cryo testing of Ship 30 and Booster 12, SpaceX continued constructing a possible flame trench and static fire stand for ships. Currently, SpaceX is using Suborbital Pad B for static fire testing, and there is uncertainty about approval for static fire vehicles at Masseys, like at the launch site.
In addition to constructing the possible flame trench, SpaceX has installed cryogenic pumps, subcoolers, and extra tanks to support a static fire stand.
Vehicle Updates
The vehicles for Flight 4, Ship 29, and Booster 11 are on their respective work stands, being prepared for static fires and flights. Both vehicles for Flight 5, Ship 30 and Booster 12, have completed cryo testing, with Booster 12 now on a work stand after being rolled back recently.
Ship 30 is awaiting the installation of the next stand in the Ship Bay. With Booster 12 placed on the center work stand, there are now three full boosters inside Mega Bay undergoing engine work.
A significant milestone for Flight 6 was the completion of the Methane tank stacking for Booster 13. This means that nearly four flight-ready boosters are now complete.
Apart from glimpses of possible Version 2 parts inside Starfactory, there is little evidence of anything appearing outside of the factory in the near future. The first pieces of Version 2 could potentially be pathfinder test tanks.
Hopefully, the second tower and pieces of Version 2 of the Starship will start to emerge soon.
Featured Image: Ship 28 Peaking out of High Bay (Credit: Jack Beyer for NSF – vast amounts of hi-res Starbase Flyover pics and daily Starbase pics – 100s a month – available to all L2 members)
