SpaceX flight testing in South Texas

[ORAC]

Video

https://x.com/CSI_Starbase/status/1875444678046134689

Just 8 days after the final stack of Superheavy-B16. B17's common dome section has been moved to the front of MB1 for stacking operations.

As expected, the pace of vehicle assembly will have to increase dramatically in order to keep up with SpaceX's goals for Starship Launch Cadence in 2025. We are rapidly approaching Flight 7, and Booster 17 is the Flight 10 Booster.

Assuming SpaceX plans to carry out 20 to 25 launches in 2025, this booster will need to be fully stacked, cryo tested, integrated with its 33 raptor engines, static fire tested, and receive final launch outfitting 8 to 10 weeks from today. To date, the record holder for fastest assembly to launch time is B13 which took 41 weeks from initial stacking to launch.

This means the assembly and test campaign for B17 needs to be at least 4 times faster than the previous best (assuming there are no re-flights's of boosters within the next 4 launches).

If every booster from here on has one re-flight before B17's inaugural launch, then the assembly to launch process only needs to be around 2 times faster than the current best.

I should note that B14 is expected to be the new record holder. If it launches on Jan 10 it will have been just under 40 weeks.

Another important detail is that from what we can tell, this a Version 1 Booster. This means that we should expect a minimum of 4 more launches before Pad B is operational.

​​​​​​​One thing is for sure 2025 is going to be WILD!!!......