SpaceX to Double Launchpad Usage for Starship Tests

SpaceX plans a substantial acceleration of its Starship program in the coming year, expanding development efforts in multiple areas. Elon Musk, CEO and founder of SpaceX, announced via Twitter on Thursday that the company intends to utilize both launch complexes at its Boca Chica, Texas facility, preparing prototype rockets for testing on each. Furthermore, he indicated that flight evaluations of the Super Heavy booster—beginning with short-duration, low-altitude tests—could commence within “a few months.”

SpaceX recently positioned its SN9 Starship prototype (the ninth iteration in the current sequence) on Pad B, located near the Gulf of Mexico at the Texas test site. SN9 is scheduled for comprehensive testing following the successful flight of its predecessor, SN8, which reached an altitude of approximately 40,000 feet. SN8 also performed a critical controlled descent maneuver, essential for the precise powered landing of future production models. Although SN8 sustained damage during a hard landing, SpaceX successfully completed all planned test objectives and gathered additional data.

Before its anticipated flight test, SN9 will undergo a series of ground evaluations. This will provide the engineering team with further valuable information to inform subsequent tests, ultimately aiming for orbital flight with a Starship prototype. Musk’s statement regarding the simultaneous preparation of two prototypes on Pads A and B suggests an increased frequency of test flights, aligning with the rapid rate at which SpaceX is building new rocket versions.

The prospect of imminent Super Heavy testing is also a significant development for SpaceX and the Starship program in 2021. Super Heavy is the powerful booster designed to launch Starship into orbit and, eventually, facilitate missions to deep space destinations, including Mars. Standing approximately 240 feet in height, Super Heavy will be equipped with 28 Raptor engines, generating the necessary thrust to overcome Earth’s gravity when combined with a cargo-carrying Starship.