SpaceX flight testing in South Texas

[ORAC]

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Video

https://x.com/CSI_Starbase/status/1931433063491514531

​​​​​​​Ouch! A bit of a rough morning for Booster 16!

This was a pretty rare de-stacking operation, with the booster being lifted to the top of the tower and taking nearly a full hour to be lowered to the transport stand.

Once in position there appeared to be some issues getting the booster into the proper alignment.

After engaging the alignment pins on the transport stand, the stabilizer arms on the chopsticks released the booster. Because of the uneven weight distribution, its important for at least one of these to be attached at all times.

But, for some odd reason, the pins suddenly retracted without reengaging the stabilizers arms first. With nothing the hold it straight, the booster crashed into the transport stand and appeared to bounce off of it multiple times!

Hopefully this didn't cause too much damage to either an engine or the protective shielding!

After this, the stabilizers re-attached to the booster and centered it above the stand before handing it back off to the alignment pins. It took several attempts with extending and retracting the clamp arms to finally set the booster onto the stand.

There are quite a few speed ramps in this time-lapse, but I included the clock from the @NASASpaceflight stream so you can get an idea of how fast this clip has been sped up.

​​​​​​​When all was said and done it took around 6 hours to complete this operation.