[{"id":215,"documentId":"dithya9jejhrf71v4n4uiz68","updateId":"moon-and-beyond","date":"2025-10-30","title":"To the Moon and Beyond","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":6452,"name":"HLS_Low_Close_03.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b.png","hash":"large_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03.png","path":null,"size":735.16,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":735156},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b.png","hash":"small_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03.png","path":null,"size":197.8,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":197800},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b.png","hash":"medium_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03.png","path":null,"size":426.47,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":426467},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b.png","hash":"thumbnail_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03.png","path":null,"size":57.4,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":57404}},"hash":"Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":2225.76,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Pad37_HLS_Low_Close_03_2338cf3a3b.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:44.678Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-30T15:02:23.637Z","documentId":"o2zlblhbmxf33b8v94cx4qtf","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:44.678Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1129,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Humanity is at an inflection point. For the first time in our existence, we possess the means, technology, and, for the moment, the will to establish a permanent human presence beyond Earth. <a href=https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/ target=\"_\"><b>Starship</b></a> is designed to make this future a reality and is singularly capable of carrying unparalleled numbers of explorers and the building blocks they’ll need to establish the first outposts on lunar and other planetary surfaces. For these reasons and more, it was chosen to fulfill the key role of landing the first astronauts on the Moon in more than 50 years. It will be a central enabler that will fulfill the vision of NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to establish a lasting presence on the lunar surface, not just flags and footprints, and ultimately forge the path to land the first humans on Mars.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1143,"heading":"PREPARE FOR LANDING ","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":129,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":6455,"name":"07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5666,"height":3500,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673.jpg","hash":"large_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":51,"width":1000,"height":618,"sizeInBytes":51000},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673.jpg","hash":"small_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":15.05,"width":500,"height":309,"sizeInBytes":15050},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673.jpg","hash":"medium_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":30.3,"width":750,"height":463,"sizeInBytes":30301},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":4.52,"width":245,"height":151,"sizeInBytes":4522}},"hash":"07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1133.3,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_4d48994673.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:26:23.059Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:26:23.059Z","documentId":"htns1ty337s2nz2b3tztceg6","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:26:23.059Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1130,"heading":null,"paragraph":"With the scale of Starship and the technological breakthroughs it is engineered to achieve, SpaceX is moving at a historically rapid pace. Starship provides unmatched capability to explore the Moon, thanks to its large size and ability to refill propellant in space. One single Starship has a pressurized habitable volume of more than 600 cubic meters, which is roughly two-thirds the pressurized volume of the entire International Space Station, and is complete with a cabin that can be scaled for large numbers of explorers and dual airlocks for surface exploration. For comparison: each of Starship’s two airlocks have a habitable volume of approximately 13 cubic meters, which is more than double the space that was available in the Apollo lander. Cargo variants of the Starship lander will be capable of landing up to 100 metric tons directly on the surface, including large payloads like unpressurized rovers, pressurized rovers, nuclear reactors, and lunar habitats. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1131,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To return Americans to the Moon, SpaceX aligned Starship development along two paths: development of the core Starship system and supporting infrastructure, including production facilities, test facilities, and launch sites — which SpaceX is self-funding representing over 90% of system costs —  and development of the HLS-specific Starship configuration, which leverages and modifies the core vehicle capability to support NASA’s requirements for landing crew on and returning them from the Moon. SpaceX is working under a fixed-price contract with NASA, ensuring that the company is only paid after the successful completion of progress milestones, and American taxpayers are not on the hook for increased SpaceX costs. SpaceX provides significant insight to NASA at every stage of the development process along both paths, including access to flight data from missions not funded under the HLS contract. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1132,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Both pathways are necessary and made possible by SpaceX’s substantial self-investments to enable the high-rate production, launch, and test of Starship for missions to the Moon and other purposes. Starship will bring the United States back to the Moon before any other nation and it will enable sustainable lunar operations by being fully and rapidly reusable, cost-effective, and capable of high frequency lunar missions with more than 100 tons of cargo capacity.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1144,"heading":"PATH 1: CORE STARSHIP SYSTEM ","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":130,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":6454,"name":"Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1842,"height":1067,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840.jpg","path":null,"size":37.91,"width":1000,"height":579,"sizeInBytes":37905},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840.jpg","path":null,"size":13.34,"width":500,"height":289,"sizeInBytes":13340},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840.jpg","path":null,"size":24.46,"width":750,"height":434,"sizeInBytes":24463},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840.jpg","path":null,"size":4.51,"width":245,"height":142,"sizeInBytes":4508}},"hash":"Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":103.92,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_11_Onboards_2510162840_c3b5eb3935.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:26:04.146Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:26:04.146Z","documentId":"a1fiolzs40c1ki7se0ods783","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:26:04.147Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1133,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Since Starship Flight 1 in April 2023, SpaceX has rapidly advanced vehicle development through an active flight test campaign. In line with past vehicle development, SpaceX maximizes real-world testing throughout this process to quickly and safely demonstrate capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and prove out solutions. This campaign has quickly matured the core Starship and has produced numerous feats, including multiple successful ascents of the world’s most powerful rocket; the launch, return, catch, and reuse of that rocket to unlock the high launch rate cadence needed for lunar missions; the transfer of approximately five metric tons of cryogenic propellant between tanks while in space, a first of its kind operation that provides key data for future full-scale propellant transfer operations; successful in-space relights of the Raptor engines that are critical for the maneuvers that will send Starship to the Moon; and multiple controlled reentries through Earth’s atmosphere.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1134,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To date, SpaceX has produced more than three dozen Starships and 600 Raptor rocket engines, with more than 226,000 seconds of run time on the Raptor 2 engine and more than 40,000 seconds of run time on the next-generation Raptor 3 engine. There have been 11 Starship-only flight tests and 11 integrated flight tests of Starship and Super Heavy. In parallel, SpaceX has constructed, and continues to construct, new Starship launch, production, integration, and test facilities in Texas, Florida, and California. This private investment of billions of dollars is creating more than five million square feet of manufacturing and integration space, five launch pads across Texas and Florida, and multiple Raptor test stands, all engineered to ramp Starship’s launch cadence above and beyond the paradigm-redefining rate achieved by SpaceX’s Falcon program. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1148,"heading":"PATH 2: THE LANDER","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":{"id":278,"carouselItems":[{"id":970,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6445,"name":"HLS_Airlock.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3240,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"large_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":52.19,"width":1000,"height":667,"sizeInBytes":52188},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"small_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":17.65,"width":500,"height":333,"sizeInBytes":17653},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"medium_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":33.31,"width":750,"height":500,"sizeInBytes":33313},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":5.57,"width":234,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":5574}},"hash":"HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":385.37,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.654Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.654Z","documentId":"akw3e2dyilqott4s0nftcmvf","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.655Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6445,"name":"HLS_Airlock.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3240,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"large_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":52.19,"width":1000,"height":667,"sizeInBytes":52188},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"small_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":17.65,"width":500,"height":333,"sizeInBytes":17653},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"medium_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":33.31,"width":750,"height":500,"sizeInBytes":33313},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_HLS_Airlock.jpg","path":null,"size":5.57,"width":234,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":5574}},"hash":"HLS_Airlock_64089c1753","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":385.37,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/HLS_Airlock_64089c1753.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.654Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.654Z","documentId":"akw3e2dyilqott4s0nftcmvf","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.655Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null},{"id":971,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6448,"name":"Landing Nav.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3264,"height":2448,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"large_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":136.84,"width":1000,"height":750,"sizeInBytes":136841},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"small_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":41.8,"width":500,"height":375,"sizeInBytes":41797},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"medium_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":85.48,"width":750,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":85483},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"thumbnail_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":9.32,"width":208,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":9316}},"hash":"Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":1070.04,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:12.855Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:12.855Z","documentId":"n3wvoipho7iongf1snacw9ef","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:12.856Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6448,"name":"Landing Nav.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3264,"height":2448,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"large_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":136.84,"width":1000,"height":750,"sizeInBytes":136841},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"small_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":41.8,"width":500,"height":375,"sizeInBytes":41797},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"medium_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":85.48,"width":750,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":85483},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","hash":"thumbnail_Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Landing Nav.png","path":null,"size":9.32,"width":208,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":9316}},"hash":"Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":1070.04,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Landing_Nav_d32214ac8c.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:12.855Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:12.855Z","documentId":"n3wvoipho7iongf1snacw9ef","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:12.856Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null},{"id":972,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6449,"name":"Raptor Throttle Test.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1045,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"large_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":888.67,"width":1000,"height":544,"sizeInBytes":888667},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"small_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":253.94,"width":500,"height":272,"sizeInBytes":253935},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"medium_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":529.08,"width":750,"height":408,"sizeInBytes":529077},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"thumbnail_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":68.41,"width":245,"height":133,"sizeInBytes":68413}},"hash":"Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":594.52,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:13.478Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:13.478Z","documentId":"qqvd8881nao9l2aj9ojypffx","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:13.479Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6449,"name":"Raptor Throttle Test.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1045,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"large_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":888.67,"width":1000,"height":544,"sizeInBytes":888667},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"small_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":253.94,"width":500,"height":272,"sizeInBytes":253935},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"medium_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":529.08,"width":750,"height":408,"sizeInBytes":529077},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","hash":"thumbnail_Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Raptor Throttle Test.png","path":null,"size":68.41,"width":245,"height":133,"sizeInBytes":68413}},"hash":"Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":594.52,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Raptor_Throttle_Test_78ace9eda7.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:13.478Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:13.478Z","documentId":"qqvd8881nao9l2aj9ojypffx","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:13.479Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null},{"id":973,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6446,"name":"Crew Displays.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":4032,"height":3024,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"large_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":97.39,"width":1000,"height":750,"sizeInBytes":97391},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"small_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":32.78,"width":500,"height":375,"sizeInBytes":32778},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"medium_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":61.2,"width":750,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":61201},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"thumbnail_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":7.83,"width":208,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":7828}},"hash":"Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":816.66,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:09.570Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:09.570Z","documentId":"x745byfq2vq53u86ffdri9p0","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:09.571Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6446,"name":"Crew Displays.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":4032,"height":3024,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"large_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":97.39,"width":1000,"height":750,"sizeInBytes":97391},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"small_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":32.78,"width":500,"height":375,"sizeInBytes":32778},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"medium_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":61.2,"width":750,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":61201},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","hash":"thumbnail_Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Crew Displays.png","path":null,"size":7.83,"width":208,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":7828}},"hash":"Crew_Displays_236ec85aec","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":816.66,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Crew_Displays_236ec85aec.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:09.570Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:09.570Z","documentId":"x745byfq2vq53u86ffdri9p0","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:09.571Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null},{"id":974,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6447,"name":"RVAC Chill.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1080,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"large_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"large_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":1201.47,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":1201470},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"small_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"small_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":315.46,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":315459},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"medium_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":689.82,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":689822},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"thumbnail_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":81.34,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":81344}},"hash":"RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":1107.51,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:10.950Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:10.950Z","documentId":"x6tvc6cvtraja1jbg64q1ddp","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:10.951Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6447,"name":"RVAC Chill.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1080,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"large_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"large_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":1201.47,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":1201470},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"small_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"small_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":315.46,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":315459},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"medium_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":689.82,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":689822},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","hash":"thumbnail_RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_RVAC Chill.png","path":null,"size":81.34,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":81344}},"hash":"RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":1107.51,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/RVAC_Chill_a82d45320b.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:10.950Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:10.950Z","documentId":"x6tvc6cvtraja1jbg64q1ddp","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:10.951Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null},{"id":975,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6444,"name":"HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2973,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"large_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":132.11,"width":1000,"height":727,"sizeInBytes":132110},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"small_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":40.96,"width":500,"height":363,"sizeInBytes":40955},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"medium_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":82.79,"width":750,"height":545,"sizeInBytes":82794},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":9.43,"width":214,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":9425}},"hash":"HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":685.57,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.464Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.464Z","documentId":"yt7uu4jkwj94vfv81riaj57q","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.465Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6444,"name":"HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2973,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"large_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":132.11,"width":1000,"height":727,"sizeInBytes":132110},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"small_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":40.96,"width":500,"height":363,"sizeInBytes":40955},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"medium_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":82.79,"width":750,"height":545,"sizeInBytes":82794},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo.jpg","path":null,"size":9.43,"width":214,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":9425}},"hash":"HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":685.57,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/HLS_Crew_Elevator_Demo_e3c534d531.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.464Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.464Z","documentId":"yt7uu4jkwj94vfv81riaj57q","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.465Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null},{"id":976,"caption":null,"imageDesktop":{"id":6443,"name":"MMOD torch.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":593,"height":384,"formats":{"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae.png","hash":"small_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae","mime":"image/png","name":"small_MMOD torch.png","path":null,"size":211.45,"width":500,"height":324,"sizeInBytes":211450},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae.png","hash":"thumbnail_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_MMOD torch.png","path":null,"size":60.78,"width":241,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":60782}},"hash":"MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":60.88,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.261Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.261Z","documentId":"a7xyundh5hr4ufufas4exdzc","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.335Z"},"imageMobile":{"id":6443,"name":"MMOD torch.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":593,"height":384,"formats":{"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae.png","hash":"small_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae","mime":"image/png","name":"small_MMOD torch.png","path":null,"size":211.45,"width":500,"height":324,"sizeInBytes":211450},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae.png","hash":"thumbnail_MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_MMOD torch.png","path":null,"size":60.78,"width":241,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":60782}},"hash":"MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":60.88,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/MMOD_torch_d20fe92bae.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.261Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.261Z","documentId":"a7xyundh5hr4ufufas4exdzc","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:04.335Z"},"videoDesktop":null,"videoMobile":null}]}},{"id":1142,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In parallel to development of the core Starship vehicle, SpaceX’s HLS team has completed 49 milestones tied to developing the subsystems, infrastructure, and operations needed to land astronauts on the Moon. SpaceX has received money only on contractual milestones that have been successfully completed, the vast majority of which have been achieved on time or ahead of schedule. Highlights of completed milestones include:","listItems":[{"id":63,"description":"Lunar environmental control and life support and thermal control system demonstrations, using a full-scale cabin module inhabited by multiple people to test the capability to inject oxygen and nitrogen into the cabin environment and accurately manage air distribution and sanitation, along with humidity and thermal control. The test series also measured the acoustic environments inside the cabin "},{"id":64,"description":"<a href=https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-spacex-test-starship-lunar-lander-docking-system/ target=\"_\">Docking adapter qualification</a> of the docking system that will link Starship and Orion in space, an androgynous SpaceX docking system capable of serving as the active system or passive system and based on the flight-proven Dragon 2 active docking system"},{"id":65,"description":"Landing leg drop test of a full-scale article at flight energies onto simulated lunar regolith to verify system performance and to study foot-to-regolith interaction  "},{"id":66,"description":"<a href=https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1702382407004070183/video/1 target=\"_\">Raptor lunar landing throttle test</a> demonstrating a representative thrust profile that would allow Starship to land on the lunar surface"},{"id":67,"description":"Micrometeoroid and orbital debris testing of shielding, insulation, and window panels, analyzing different material stackups that will be used to protect Starship from impact hazards and harsh thermal conditions "},{"id":68,"description":"Landing software, sensor, and radar demonstrations testing navigation and sensing hardware and software that will be used by Starship to locate and safely descend to a precise landing site on the Moon "},{"id":69,"description":"Software architecture review to define the schematic of major vehicle control processes, what physical computers they will run on, and software functions for critical systems like fault detection, caution and warning alerts, and command and telemetry control "},{"id":70,"description":"<a href=https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1702382139331977713/video/1 target=\"_\">Raptor cold start demonstrations</a> using both sea-level and vacuum-optimized Raptor engines that are pre-chilled prior to startup to simulate the thermal conditions experienced after an extended time in space"},{"id":71,"description":"Integrated lunar mission operations plan review, covering how SpaceX and NASA will conduct integrated operations, develop flight rules and crew procedures, and the high-level mission operation plan "},{"id":72,"description":"Depot power module demonstration, testing prototype electrical power generation and distribution systems planned to be used on the propellant depot variant of Starship "},{"id":73,"description":"Ground segment and radio frequency (RF) communications demonstration, testing the capability to send and receive RF communications between a flight-equivalent ground station and a flight-equivalent vehicle RF system "},{"id":74,"description":"<a href=https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/artemis-campaign-development-division/human-landing-system-program/nasa-astronauts-practice-next-giant-leap-for-artemis/ target=\"_\">Elevator and airlock demonstration,</a> which was conducted in concert with Axiom to utilize flight-representative pressurized EVA suits, to practice full operation of the crew elevator which will be used to transfer crew and cargo between Starship and the lunar surface"},{"id":75,"description":"Medical system demonstration covering the crew medical system on Starship and the telemedicine capability between the ground and crew "},{"id":76,"description":"Hardware in the loop testbed activation for the propellant transfer flight test which uses a testbed with flight representative hardware to run simulations for the upcoming propellant transfer flight test "}],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1145,"heading":"NEXT STEPS","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":131,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":6451,"name":"10 28 25 cabin 06.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3.jpg","hash":"large_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_10 28 25 cabin 06.jpg","path":null,"size":72.08,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":72076},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3.jpg","hash":"small_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_10 28 25 cabin 06.jpg","path":null,"size":23.46,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":23459},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3.jpg","hash":"medium_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_10 28 25 cabin 06.jpg","path":null,"size":44.1,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":44103},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_10 28 25 cabin 06.jpg","path":null,"size":7.63,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":7629}},"hash":"10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":765.26,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/10_28_25_cabin_06_30a49f27a3.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:39.369Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:39.369Z","documentId":"q94streim64hu4jkge7hewge","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:39.369Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1147,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While many of SpaceX’s remaining HLS contract milestones are tied to flight tests, such as a ship-to-ship propellant transfer demonstration, SpaceX has started fabricating a flight-article Starship HLS cabin that will include functional avionics and power systems, crew systems and mechanisms, environmental control and life support systems, cabin and crew communications systems, and a cabin thermal control system. This flight-capable cabin will enable engineers to demonstrate high design maturity of the various systems required to support a human landing on the Moon, enable integrated system-level hardware testing, and provide a highly realistic training experience for future lunar explorers.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":{"id":8,"videoType":"host","videoId":null,"caption":null,"style":null,"posterImage":{"id":6456,"name":"Prop Transfer.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362.png","hash":"large_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Prop Transfer.png","path":null,"size":210.94,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":210944},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362.png","hash":"small_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Prop Transfer.png","path":null,"size":65.03,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":65033},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362.png","hash":"medium_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Prop Transfer.png","path":null,"size":131.5,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":131501},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362.png","hash":"thumbnail_Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Prop Transfer.png","path":null,"size":20.02,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":20024}},"hash":"Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":411.26,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Prop_Transfer_7d52b2a362.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:35:44.997Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:35:44.997Z","documentId":"tp6b8y1w303b9x8ipk75ion7","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:35:44.998Z"},"hostedVideo":{"id":6453,"name":"Prop_Transfer_4K.mp4","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":null,"height":null,"formats":null,"hash":"Prop_Transfer_4_K_83ce127002","ext":".mp4","mime":"video/mp4","size":92971.79,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Prop_Transfer_4_K_83ce127002.mp4","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:52.251Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:52.251Z","documentId":"ju1hyk8m5rtb1wt4urqly7tc","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:25:52.252Z"}},"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1135,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The next major flight milestones tied specifically to HLS will be a long-duration flight test and the in-space propellant transfer flight test. The exact timing will be driven by how upcoming flight tests debuting the new Starship V3 architecture progress, but both of these tests are targeted to take place in 2026. On-orbit refilling enables Starship to complete the Artemis lunar mission architecture and carry up to 100 tons directly to the lunar surface, providing the capability to carry rovers, habitats, and other payloads needed to establish a permanent, and sustainable, presence on the Moon.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1136,"heading":null,"paragraph":"It will start with a Starship launched from Starbase to spend an extended time on orbit, gathering data on vehicle propulsion and thermal behavior on an extended duration mission, including long duration propellant storage and boil-off characterization. A second Starship will then launch to rendezvous with the first to demonstrate ship-to-ship propellant transfer in Earth orbit.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1137,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship V3 vehicles come equipped with docking ports and can be configured to act as tanker vehicles with the addition of docking probes. Starship also has a connection point where propellants are loaded onto the vehicle in preparation for launch that has been updated to enable on-orbit propellant transfer. For rendezvous, Starships will be equipped with DragonEye navigation sensors, which have extensive flight heritage from their use on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft during dozens of dockings to the International Space Station. These sensors have undergone separate testing to characterize their performance for use on Starship. SpaceX has also been flying experimental propellant gauging sensors on every recent Starship flight test which use radio frequency measurements to accurately measure propellant levels while in microgravity.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1146,"heading":"A PERMANENT RETURN ","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":132,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":6450,"name":"starship_carousel2_card3_fixed.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2015,"height":1152,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7.jpg","hash":"large_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed.jpg","path":null,"size":34.88,"width":1000,"height":572,"sizeInBytes":34880},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7.jpg","hash":"small_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed.jpg","path":null,"size":11.27,"width":500,"height":286,"sizeInBytes":11271},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7.jpg","hash":"medium_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed.jpg","path":null,"size":21.8,"width":750,"height":429,"sizeInBytes":21804},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_starship_carousel2_card3_fixed.jpg","path":null,"size":4.04,"width":245,"height":140,"sizeInBytes":4044}},"hash":"starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":107.89,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/starship_carousel2_card3_fixed_72cd5ed9f7.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/722","createdAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:26.539Z","updatedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:26.539Z","documentId":"gj9j7kqadi6g7y74b3hyrm2o","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-10-29T20:24:26.540Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1138,"heading":null,"paragraph":"NASA selected Starship in 2021 to serve as the lander for the Artemis III mission and return humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo. <a href=https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/option-a-source-selection-statement-final.pdf target=\"_\"><b>That selection was made</b></a> through fair and open competition which determined that SpaceX’s bid utilizing Starship had the highest technical and management ratings while being the lowest cost by a wide margin. This was followed by a second selection to serve as the lander for Artemis IV, moving beyond initial demonstrations to lay the groundwork that will ensure that humanity’s return to the Moon is permanent.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1139,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship continues to simultaneously be the fastest path to returning humans to the surface of the Moon and a core enabler of the Artemis program’s goal to establish a permanent, sustainable presence on the lunar surface. SpaceX shares the goal of returning to the Moon as expeditiously as possible, approaching the mission with the same alacrity and commitment that returned human spaceflight capability to America under NASA’s Commercial Crew program.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1140,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Since the contract was awarded, we have been consistently responsive to NASA as requirements for Artemis III have changed and have shared ideas on how to simplify the mission to align with national priorities. In response to the latest calls, we’ve shared and are formally assessing a simplified mission architecture and concept of operations that we believe will result in a faster return to the Moon while simultaneously improving crew safety. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1141,"heading":null,"paragraph":"NASA’s Artemis program was born out of a visionary goal: to truly explore the Moon and place the first footprints on Mars. Not to repeat the accomplishments of Apollo — not to be another entry in the long list of short-lived exploration initiatives — but to be the opportunity to finally build a sustainable presence on another planet. SpaceX was founded to make life multiplanetary, and Starship has been designed from the very beginning to enable the exploration of other worlds. With it, and alongside NASA, we look forward to inspiring all of humanity as that first permanent foothold is placed among the stars. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":218,"documentId":"ex0gks9iv2znc8llkcs58k7w","updateId":"xai-joins-spacex","date":"2026-02-02","title":"xAI joins SpaceX to Accelerate Humanity’s Future","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":6687,"name":"Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1782,"height":1032,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827.jpg","path":null,"size":85.55,"width":1000,"height":579,"sizeInBytes":85548},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827.jpg","path":null,"size":28,"width":500,"height":290,"sizeInBytes":28004},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827.jpg","path":null,"size":54.56,"width":750,"height":434,"sizeInBytes":54556},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827.jpg","path":null,"size":8.3,"width":245,"height":142,"sizeInBytes":8297}},"hash":"Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":204.12,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_11_Onboards_2510162827_2699d9bfed.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/766","createdAt":"2026-01-31T21:26:06.261Z","updatedAt":"2026-01-31T21:26:06.261Z","documentId":"iajzags0s0qa7wjn6dmv202h","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-01-31T21:26:06.262Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1182,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX has acquired xAI to form the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth, with AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications and the world’s foremost real-time information and free speech platform. This marks not just the next chapter, but the next book in SpaceX and xAI's mission: scaling to make a sentient sun to understand the Universe and extend the light of consciousness to the stars!","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1183,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Current advances in AI are dependent on large terrestrial data centers, which require immense amounts of power and cooling. Global electricity demand for AI simply cannot be met with terrestrial solutions, even in the near term, without imposing hardship on communities and the environment.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1184,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In the long term, space-based AI is obviously the only way to scale. To harness even a millionth of our Sun’s energy would require over a million times more energy than our civilization currently uses! ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1185,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The only logical solution therefore is to transport these resource-intensive efforts to a location with vast power and space. I mean, space is called “space” for a reason. 😂","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1186,"heading":null,"paragraph":"By directly harnessing near-constant solar power with little operating or maintenance costs, these satellites will transform our ability to scale compute. It’s always sunny in space! Launching a constellation of a million satellites that operate as orbital data centers is a first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization, one that can harness the Sun’s full power, while supporting AI-driven applications for billions of people today and ensuring humanity’s multi-planetary future.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1197,"heading":"Orbital Data Centers","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":135,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":6689,"name":"Starship Deploy.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776.jpg","hash":"large_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Starship Deploy.jpg","path":null,"size":62.65,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":62651},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776.jpg","hash":"small_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Starship Deploy.jpg","path":null,"size":18.92,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":18919},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776.jpg","hash":"medium_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Starship Deploy.jpg","path":null,"size":37.52,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":37524},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Starship Deploy.jpg","path":null,"size":5.64,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":5643}},"hash":"Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":480.08,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starship_Deploy_91b8acf776.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/766","createdAt":"2026-01-31T21:27:02.946Z","updatedAt":"2026-01-31T21:27:02.946Z","documentId":"oxkd6127ipzb65bvwyp7pomd","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-01-31T21:27:02.947Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1187,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In the history of spaceflight, there has never been a vehicle capable of launching the megatons of mass that space-based data centers or permanent bases on the Moon and cities on Mars require. Even in 2025, the most prolific year in history in terms of the number of orbital launches, only about 3000 tons of payload was launched into orbit, primarily consisting of Starlink satellites carried by our Falcon rocket.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1188,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The requirement to launch thousands of satellites to orbit became a forcing function for the Falcon program, driving recursive improvements to reach the unprecedented flight rates necessary to make space-based internet a reality. This year, Starship will begin delivering the much more powerful V3 Starlink satellites to orbit, with each launch adding more than 20 times the capacity to the constellation as the current Falcon launches of the V2 Starlink satellites. Starship will also launch the next generation of direct-to-mobile satellites, which will deliver full cellular coverage everywhere on Earth.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1189,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While the need to launch these satellites will act as a similar forcing function to drive Starship improvements and launch rates, the sheer number of satellites that will be needed for space-based data centers will push Starship to even greater heights. With launches every hour carrying 200 tons per flight, Starship will deliver millions of tons to orbit and beyond per year, enabling an exciting future where humanity is out exploring amongst the stars.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1190,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The basic math is that launching a million tons per year of satellites generating 100 kW of compute power per ton would add 100 gigawatts of AI compute capacity annually, with no ongoing operational or maintenance needs. Ultimately, there is a path to launching 1 TW/year from Earth. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1191,"heading":null,"paragraph":"My estimate is that within 2 to 3 years, the lowest cost way to generate AI compute will be in space. This cost-efficiency alone will enable innovative companies to forge ahead in training their AI models and processing data at unprecedented speeds and scales, accelerating breakthroughs in our understanding of physics and invention of technologies to benefit humanity. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1192,"heading":null,"paragraph":"This new constellation will build upon the well-established space sustainability design and operational strategies, including end-of-life disposal, that have proven successful for SpaceX’s existing broadband satellite systems.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1193,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While launching AI satellites from Earth is the immediate focus, Starship’s capabilities will also enable operations on other worlds. Thanks to advancements like in-space propellant transfer, Starship will be capable of landing massive amounts of cargo on the Moon. Once there, it will be possible to establish a permanent presence for scientific and manufacturing pursuits. Factories on the Moon can take advantage of lunar resources to manufacture satellites and deploy them further into space. By using an electromagnetic mass driver and lunar manufacturing, it is possible to put 500 to 1000 TW/year of AI satellites into deep space, meaningfully ascend the Kardashev scale and harness a non-trivial percentage of the Sun’s power. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1194,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The capabilities we unlock by making space-based data centers a reality will fund and enable self-growing bases on the Moon, an entire civilization on Mars and ultimately expansion to the Universe.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1195,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Thank you for everything you have done and will do for the light cone of consciousness. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1196,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Ad Astra!<br>\nElon","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":224,"documentId":"nixknxlxjfxsn9hbe0q1cjrt","updateId":"terafab","date":"2026-08-06","title":"Breaking Ground on Terafab in Texas","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":7359,"name":"2026_08_05_terafab_01.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d.jpg","hash":"large_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_2026_08_05_terafab_01.jpg","path":null,"size":76.2,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":76204},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d.jpg","hash":"small_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_2026_08_05_terafab_01.jpg","path":null,"size":22.49,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":22494},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d.jpg","hash":"medium_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_2026_08_05_terafab_01.jpg","path":null,"size":44.9,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":44900},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_2026_08_05_terafab_01.jpg","path":null,"size":6.62,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":6622}},"hash":"2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":745.92,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/2026_08_05_terafab_01_c491ff0b4d.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/855","createdAt":"2026-08-05T17:33:11.311Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-05T17:33:11.311Z","documentId":"l6n81vr6ui7i52qvnz99xb0k","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-08-05T17:33:11.312Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1262,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The foundations for an exciting future are being built in Texas. Earlier this year, <a href=\" https://terafab.ai/\" target=\"_\"><b>SpaceX and Tesla announced Terafab</b></a> – the most epic-chip building effort in the world – combining logic, memory and advanced packaging all under one roof. In April, Tesla broke ground on a new research fab on the North Campus of Giga Texas – the precursor to Terafab. And today, we are announcing that Terafab will be built in Grimes County, Texas. The facility will be an advanced semiconductor fab that will bridge the divide between current global chip supply and the compute demand of the future. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1271,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The combined SpaceX and Tesla demand for chips is expected to be in excess of 1 terawatt (TW) of compute, which is significantly larger than the current global supply. While we are deeply appreciative of our current chip suppliers, and encourage them to expand production whenever possible, this looming gulf between supply and demand is at the core of Terafab’s necessity. ","listItems":[],"image":{"id":149,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7358,"name":"AIChipChart_SpaceX_02.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21.png","hash":"large_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21","mime":"image/png","name":"large_AIChipChart_SpaceX_02.png","path":null,"size":27.4,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":27399},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21.png","hash":"small_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21","mime":"image/png","name":"small_AIChipChart_SpaceX_02.png","path":null,"size":11.44,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":11436},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21.png","hash":"medium_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_AIChipChart_SpaceX_02.png","path":null,"size":19.17,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":19172},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21.png","hash":"thumbnail_AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_AIChipChart_SpaceX_02.png","path":null,"size":4.58,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":4580}},"hash":"AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":34.07,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/AI_Chip_Chart_Space_X_02_45fdb6df21.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/855","createdAt":"2026-08-05T14:22:44.709Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-05T14:22:44.709Z","documentId":"itpvqwir0tqiaem7tciia4t1","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-08-05T14:22:44.760Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1263,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Terafab will be epic in both its mission and in its sheer size, designed to build new compute at an unprecedented scale and speed. A vertically integrated factory with more than 100 million square feet of manufacturing space is planned. This facility will house the manufacturing, packaging, and testing of advanced logic and memory devices. Bringing these aspects together in one location will enable fast, recursive improvements and accelerate new compute deployed. Terafab will produce chips optimized for edge computing and inference for use in hardware like Tesla’s Optimus robots and self-driving Cybercabs, along with high-power chips designed for operating SpaceX’s space-based data centers.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1264,"heading":"Bringing Back Advanced Manufacturing to America","paragraph":"Advanced chips are becoming foundational infrastructure for the modern economy. AI systems, satellites, secure communications, and advanced manufacturing all depend on reliable access to compute hardware. Much of the world’s semiconductor production remains concentrated overseas, and the United States has recognized the importance of rebuilding advanced manufacturing capacity domestically. Terafab aligns with that broader national effort by expanding high-end manufacturing capacity in Texas. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1265,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Texas has become central to our operations through Starbase, Bastrop, and McGregor, thanks to its commitment to innovation, manufacturing, and American leadership. SpaceX’s growing Texas footprint alone has already generated more than 56,000 direct and indirect jobs, over $28 billion in estimated economic impact since 2024, and hundreds of millions in indirect tax revenue since 2024.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1266,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The initial phase of Terafab is estimated to require approximately $16.8 billion in capital investments from SpaceX and Tesla, with potential future expansion phases bringing total investment much higher. This facility will employ at least 3,000 people, many of whom will be from Grimes and nearby Brazos County — continuing the trend of our other Texas sites where between 60% and 80% of new hires are local residents. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1267,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Grimes County offers strategic advantages for long-term industrial investment, including infrastructure access, available land, and proximity to major Texas markets. This project represents a significant opportunity for skilled trades, construction employment, suppliers and contractors, and long-term technical workforce development. We intend to work with local schools and workforce partners to help create pathways for future employment opportunities, responding to the unique needs of each community.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1268,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX and Tesla also take our role as being good stewards of the environment seriously. The Terafab site is committing to the use of Gibbons Creek Reservoir water for industrial operations rather than local groundwater; planned on-site wastewater treatment facilities; water reuse and conservation efforts; compliance with all applicable environmental and pollution control laws; and management of hazardous materials, chemicals, and industrial byproducts in accordance with all applicable regulations—while striving to exceed them.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1269,"heading":"Building an Exciting Future","paragraph":"We believe continued progress and leadership in space, AI, and advanced manufacturing will depend on the ability to build critical technologies domestically. By building and operating the largest chip manufacturing facility on the planet, we’re continuing down a path where future humans can compete over building the largest facilities in the solar system, and eventually the galaxy. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1270,"heading":null,"paragraph":"If you want to be a part of building that exciting future, <a href=\"https://terafab.ai/\" target=\"_\"><b>come join us.</a><b>","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":207,"documentId":"bglbjvsqqfjq27t9gsrw18i3","updateId":"dtc-gen2-spectrum","date":"2025-09-08","title":"THE FUTURE OF STARLINK DIRECT TO CELL","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":6236,"name":"StarlinkDTC.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3240,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb.jpg","hash":"large_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_StarlinkDTC.jpg","path":null,"size":164.29,"width":1000,"height":667,"sizeInBytes":164286},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb.jpg","hash":"small_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_StarlinkDTC.jpg","path":null,"size":48.39,"width":500,"height":333,"sizeInBytes":48389},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb.jpg","hash":"medium_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_StarlinkDTC.jpg","path":null,"size":101.49,"width":750,"height":500,"sizeInBytes":101492},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_StarlinkDTC.jpg","path":null,"size":11.97,"width":234,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":11974}},"hash":"Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1215.56,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starlink_DTC_32eb20dfcb.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/694","createdAt":"2025-09-07T23:14:48.937Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-07T23:14:48.937Z","documentId":"c657bbqamq7xrrxz7zxrxmxw","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-07T23:14:48.938Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":929,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX has entered into a purchase agreement with EchoStar for 50 MHz of exclusive S-band spectrum in the US as well as global Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum licenses. This agreement will enable us to develop and deploy our next generation Starlink <a href=\"https://www.starlink.com/business/direct-to-cell\" target=\"_\"><b><u>Direct to Cell</a></b></u> constellation which will be capable of providing broadband service to cell phones globally.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":930,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In January 2024, SpaceX began deploying Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities to eliminate mobile dead zones. At the time, more than 20 percent of the land area across the United States and 90 percent of the Earth remained uncovered by terrestrial service.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":931,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Days after launching the first Direct to Cell satellites in 2024, the Starlink team was <a href=\"https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf\" target=\"_\"><b><u> texting using unmodified cell phones</a></b></u> on the ground. By spring, we were <a href=\"https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1792981845296160791\" target=\"_\"><b><u>demonstrating video calling capabilities</a></b></u>. A year and half later, and with more than 600 Starlink Direct to Cell satellites in orbit, the <a href=\"https://x.com/Starlink/status/1933566415908504034\" target=\"_\"><b><u> first-generation Direct to Cell constellation was successfully deployed</a></b></u> and is operational across five continents. Today, Starlink Direct to Cell has become the largest 4G coverage provider on planet Earth, connecting over six million users and counting.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":932,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The Direct to Cell constellation connects to the broader Starlink constellation (consisting of more than 8,000 satellites) through the Starlink laser mesh, which enables coverage anywhere in the world. Operating at 360 kilometers above the surface of the Earth, Direct to Cell satellites fly lower than any other constellation in order to optimize the link between the cell phone and satellite. Building the constellation to its present form with its unique regenerative architecture involved designing, manufacturing, launching and operating cell towers in space, including development of the system's eNodeB payload, phased array antennas, and core network, which enables network integration similar to a standard roaming partner. The service works with existing LTE phones wherever you can see the sky – no changes to hardware, firmware, or special apps are required.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":933,"heading":null,"paragraph":"At the same time, the Starlink team has been working with leading device manufacturers and application developers to enhance the services provided over the satellite network. In addition to basic and multimedia messaging, customers on the Starlink Direct to Cell network now have access to apps ranging from social media and messaging platforms like X and WhatsApp to navigation and outdoor essentials like Google Maps and AccuWeather. Starlink Direct to Cell is also enabling Internet of Things (IoT) connections in remote areas.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":934,"heading":null,"paragraph":"These capabilities have been developed in <a href=\"https://www.starlink.com/business/direct-to-cell\" target=\"_\"><b><u>partnership</a></b></u> with Mobile Network Operators, including T-Mobile in the United States, Optus and Telstra in Australia, Rogers in Canada, One New Zealand in New Zealand, KDDI in Japan, Salt in Switzerland, Entel in Chile and Peru, and Kyivstar in Ukraine (as well as several more unannounced partnerships) to connect millions of people around the world in places that have never had cellular connectivity before, and even during emergencies when terrestrial systems are impacted.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":935,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following hurricanes, severe flooding and wildfires in the United States, Starlink Direct to Cell powered life-saving connectivity. In those events alone, more than 1.5 million people were able to communicate with Direct to Cell service when terrestrial networks were down, millions of SMS messages were sent and received, and hundreds of Wireless Emergency Alerts that otherwise would not have been received were successfully delivered.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":936,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Additionally, people outside of terrestrial cellular network coverage have been able to receive assistance from emergency services when they previously would not. In New Zealand, a woman who came upon a car crash that happened in a cellular dead zone was able to text her partner the location of the accident through a Starlink Direct to Cell connection, and first responders were on the scene within minutes of the text being sent.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":937,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While we have made progress to help end mobile dead zones, our work is just beginning. More than 50 percent of the world’s land mass remains uncovered by terrestrial services. To that end, as we develop and deploy the next generation Direct to Cell constellation, we remain committed to working with mobile network operators globally to continue delivering ubiquitous coverage to as many customers as possible.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":938,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Through the agreement with EchoStar, SpaceX will purchase EchoStar’s 50 MHz S-band spectrum in the US (bands known as AWS-4 and PCS-H) as well as its global MSS spectrum licenses. Exclusive access to this spectrum, along with use of optimized 5G protocols designed for satellite connectivity, will enable a step change in performance for Starlink Direct to Cell. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":939,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The next generation of Starlink Direct to Cell satellites will be designed to fully utilize this spectrum. Driven by custom SpaceX-designed silicon and phased array antennas, the satellites will support thousands of spatial beams and higher bandwidth capability, enabling around 20x the throughput capability as compared to a first-generation satellite. With the world’s most advanced phased arrays, the wider bandwidth operations enabled by this spectrum purchase, and optimized 5G protocols, the system will support an overall capacity increase of more than 100x the first generation Starlink Direct to Cell system. In most environments, this will enable full 5G cellular connectivity with a comparable experience to current terrestrial LTE service, which will be used in partnership with Mobile Network Operators to augment high capacity terrestrial 5G networks.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":940,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Combined with new state-of-the-art satellite technologies, exclusive spectrum, and Starship’s unprecedented payload capacity to low-Earth orbit in a single launch, Starlink Direct to Cell’s next generation service will deliver unparalleled performance to standard, unmodified cell phones and IoT devices – helping to close coverage gaps and ultimately eliminate mobile dead zones around the world.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":213,"documentId":"otbxcyj6wb90xohvr1c4euwc","updateId":"multiuser-spaceport","date":"2025-09-18","title":"Evolving the Multi-User Spaceport","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":6296,"name":"Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3681,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134.jpg","path":null,"size":52.19,"width":1000,"height":587,"sizeInBytes":52190},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134.jpg","path":null,"size":16.98,"width":500,"height":293,"sizeInBytes":16978},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134.jpg","path":null,"size":32.3,"width":750,"height":440,"sizeInBytes":32295},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134.jpg","path":null,"size":5.51,"width":245,"height":144,"sizeInBytes":5505}},"hash":"Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":742.98,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_10_Liftoff_Drone1_a2508261134_36972204cc.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:22.642Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:22.642Z","documentId":"w52r4obhj7dk406jnordqqb2","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:22.643Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1081,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In March of 2025, the astronauts of the Fram2 mission <b><a href=\"https://x.com/satofishi/status/1906800947730567271\" target=\"_\">watched the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket while on the way to their own rocket launch.</a></b> This moment was a glimpse of the future of launch, where a rocket taking off is akin to that of an airplane today.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1082,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX was founded in 2002 to expand access to outer space. Not just for government or traditional users, but for new entrants around the globe. Today, we’re launching at an unprecedented pace as the world’s leading launch services provider. We’re safely and reliably launching astronauts, satellites, and other payloads on missions benefiting life on Earth and preparing for our ultimate goal: to make life multiplanetary.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1083,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To achieve this goal, SpaceX and its partners in the U.S. government have been transforming the traditional capabilities required for any launch provider to operate. Continuously challenging the status quo will enable U.S. providers to launch at previously unimaginable rates, without compromising safety, while being good stewards of the environment and ensuring America’s place at the forefront of space exploration.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1102,"heading":"Airport-Like Operations","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":119,"caption":"<i>SpaceX's Falcon rockets are on track to launch more than 100 times from Florida alone in 2025, while other launch operators have continued their normal operations</i>","style":null,"image":{"id":6293,"name":"Star10-29_072925_DSC_4247.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3000,"height":2000,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d.jpg","hash":"large_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Star10-29_072925_DSC_4247.jpg","path":null,"size":72.24,"width":1000,"height":667,"sizeInBytes":72241},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d.jpg","hash":"small_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Star10-29_072925_DSC_4247.jpg","path":null,"size":23.56,"width":500,"height":333,"sizeInBytes":23561},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d.jpg","hash":"medium_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Star10-29_072925_DSC_4247.jpg","path":null,"size":45.37,"width":750,"height":500,"sizeInBytes":45372},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Star10-29_072925_DSC_4247.jpg","path":null,"size":7.34,"width":234,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":7339}},"hash":"Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":451.11,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Star10_29_072925_DSC_4247_94a55fcd4d.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:11.884Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:11.884Z","documentId":"j6st6wohcrjq4viy4k9d4rkc","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:11.884Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1084,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Launch sites of the future need to be fully operationalized like an airport. That means multiple launches a day from multiple providers, able to launch when ready to support a variety of vehicles and missions. SpaceX is committed to working collaboratively with federal regulators, the federal ranges, and industry partners to realize this vision, including making significant investments in scientific research on blast and acoustics, physical infrastructure, and operational techniques and modern tools that foster dynamic, safe, and high-cadence spaceports in the U.S. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1085,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Efforts at the Cape have already shown that a dramatic increase in our country’s number of launches can be achieved through real collaboration. Made possible through robust cooperation with partners like NASA, the FAA, and the U.S. Space Force, our Falcon family of rockets are launching and landing every 2 days on average -- a cadence once dismissed as making it impossible for other launch providers to use the same range. Falcon is on track to launch more than 100 times from Florida alone in 2025, while other launch operators have continued their normal operations. SpaceX often coordinates directly with other launch providers to ensure that operations are deconflicted. In some cases, we have stood down from our own launches to allow other providers the additional time they needed to fly, like an airplane waiting its turn on the runway.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1086,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX has invested considerably in the infrastructure upgrades necessary to fly at a high rate. With Falcon, we have developed new tools for monitoring launch ranges and weather, deconflicted communications frequencies between vehicles, and built-up systems for storing commodities like nitrogen and helium to ensure our increased cadence does not impede other operators in Florida from launching on existing supply lines. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1087,"heading":null,"paragraph":"For Starship and its larger propellant demands, we’re making substantial investments to generate our own propellant by building air separation units and methane liquefaction facilities directly on or adjacent to Starship launch sites. This will ensure that Starship launches do not impact the availability of commodities like propellant for other launch operators. We’re also working to improve core “common” infrastructure, including power generation and transmission, wastewater treatment, and roadways in partnership with NASA, the U.S. Space Force, Space Florida, and the Florida Department of Transportation. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1088,"heading":null,"paragraph":"With additional investment in the necessities for launch at each site, including power, data, commodities, and transportation, we’re confident in the launch industry’s ability to provide creative solutions to ensure public safety and enable improved launch deconfliction even at significantly higher numbers of launches.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1103,"heading":"Clear to Launch","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":120,"caption":"<i>Clear areas are established around rocket launches and testing to protect the public and infrastructure</i>","style":null,"image":{"id":6298,"name":"Flight-6_Drone_20241119000503.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3370,"height":1896,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight-6_Drone_20241119000503.jpg","path":null,"size":45.41,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":45410},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight-6_Drone_20241119000503.jpg","path":null,"size":13.35,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":13347},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight-6_Drone_20241119000503.jpg","path":null,"size":27.16,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":27157},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight-6_Drone_20241119000503.jpg","path":null,"size":4.23,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":4230}},"hash":"Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":526.44,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_6_Drone_20241119000503_94437af67f.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:26.954Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:26.954Z","documentId":"fnv9b29ntd9f3z6c9jlumhh5","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:26.955Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1089,"heading":null,"paragraph":"For the purposes of public safety, a temporary closure of the area around the launch pad is necessary to protect the public and infrastructure during certain launch-related activities. SpaceX has gone to great lengths to safely reduce clear times and distances based on actual test and real-world data and has continually worked to streamline the complex process of launch. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1104,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As programs progress and capabilities are proven, these clear areas can be dramatically reduced while maintaining safety standards. For example, the clear area associated with the Falcon rocket has decreased substantially as the rocket has demonstrated reliability over its lifetime. This shrinking of clear areas over time extends not just to the immediate area around the launch pad, but also to the air and sea space along planned flight trajectories, where today Falcon 9 has a minimal impact on air traffic for most flight trajectories. The duration of area clears associated with Starship will also be low, as the vehicle and its associated ground systems have been designed to complete propellant loading in under an hour. ","listItems":[],"image":{"id":121,"caption":"<i>Hazard area reduction between the Falcon 9 Orbcomm-2 launch (left) and the Falcon Heavy GOES-U launch (right). The area decreased despite increased vehicle size and returning an additional booster</i>","style":null,"image":{"id":6301,"name":"Falcon Clear Areas.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3938,"height":2554,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6.jpg","hash":"large_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Falcon Clear Areas.jpg","path":null,"size":57.25,"width":1000,"height":649,"sizeInBytes":57249},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6.jpg","hash":"small_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Falcon Clear Areas.jpg","path":null,"size":20.01,"width":500,"height":324,"sizeInBytes":20006},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6.jpg","hash":"medium_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Falcon Clear Areas.jpg","path":null,"size":37.04,"width":750,"height":486,"sizeInBytes":37036},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Falcon Clear Areas.jpg","path":null,"size":6.69,"width":241,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":6688}},"hash":"Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":445.96,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Falcon_Clear_Areas_c4081a68c6.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T19:45:29.245Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T19:45:29.245Z","documentId":"sofr5ca4qz9hckjs2p0sk85n","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T19:45:29.247Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1090,"heading":null,"paragraph":"With new vehicles like Starship coming online with capabilities geared towards full and rapid re-use, using advanced propellants, and flying from increasingly busy spaceports in America’s small number of launch locations, it is critical that safety decisions like the size and location of clear areas are made using the latest data.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1105,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX, in close technical partnership with NASA, has conducted extensive testing of LOX/Methane rockets to help refine blast danger areas to be commensurate with the physics of new launch systems. Historically, most U.S. rockets have used either hydrogen or RP-1/LOX propellants. Many new rockets coming online, including Starship, are fueled by liquid oxygen and methane. As a result, government authorities have relied on highly conservative approaches to establishing blast danger areas, simply because they lack the data to make refined, accurate clear zones. In the absence of data, clear areas of LOX/Methane rockets have defaulted to very large zones that could be disruptive to operations.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":{"id":6,"videoType":"host","videoId":null,"caption":"<i>Highspeed video of Methane-Oxygen (MOX) intact impact testing done at SpaceX’s McGregor facility</i>","style":null,"posterImage":null,"hostedVideo":{"id":6299,"name":"SX 25 4040 compressed_1.mp4","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":null,"height":null,"formats":null,"hash":"SX_25_4040_compressed_1_a50d8ebd5a","ext":".mp4","mime":"video/mp4","size":113442.3,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/SX_25_4040_compressed_1_a50d8ebd5a.mp4","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:31.441Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:31.441Z","documentId":"x2z7ixr8m7h597nd7nxsb371","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:31.442Z"}},"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1091,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To address this gap in data, SpaceX, in close collaboration with NASA and with the involvement of other U.S. government stakeholders like the FAA and the Space Force, has undertaken years of research to assess the yield of LOX/Methane rockets. This research includes comprehensive testing at our Rocket Development Facility in McGregor, Texas, supplemented by real-world data gathered during SpaceX’s experimental flight campaigns with Starship, including recent ground test failures of the vehicle.   With this data, SpaceX has been able to establish a scientifically robust, physics-based yield calculation that will help “fill the gap” in scientific knowledge regarding LOX/Methane rockets.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1106,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As part of the process to bring Starship launches to Florida, SpaceX has proposed clear areas for the various Starship vehicle configurations and operations. These proposed clear areas use actual test data on total explosive yield and include a conservative factor of safety to help design more precise, and safe, clear areas.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":122,"caption":"<i>Proposed clear areas for Starship launch sites in Florida, designed using data from years of research testing the yield of LOX/Methane rockets (note: open in new tab on desktop for higher resolution)</i>","style":null,"image":{"id":6295,"name":"Starship Cape BDAs.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3938,"height":2554,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee.jpg","hash":"large_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Starship Cape BDAs.jpg","path":null,"size":61.27,"width":1000,"height":649,"sizeInBytes":61268},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee.jpg","hash":"small_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Starship Cape BDAs.jpg","path":null,"size":20.33,"width":500,"height":324,"sizeInBytes":20329},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee.jpg","hash":"medium_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Starship Cape BDAs.jpg","path":null,"size":38.55,"width":750,"height":486,"sizeInBytes":38550},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Starship Cape BDAs.jpg","path":null,"size":6.79,"width":241,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":6791}},"hash":"Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":488.46,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starship_Cape_BD_As_eb23596dee.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:22.188Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:22.188Z","documentId":"nopntdke41r7r2jlq7mscx3r","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:22.190Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1092,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While much of the analysis that was completed is specific to Starship and its various operations, SpaceX is making the data gathered from years of testing available to the government to aid in decision making for future launch systems propelled by liquid methane and liquid oxygen. By sharing these solutions directly with government partners, including the FAA, the Department of Defense, and NASA, we are trying to help move the entire rocket safety community forward, presenting solutions based on data and scientific analysis rather than simply identifying problems or challenges.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1093,"heading":null,"paragraph":"With this new data and proposed methodology for evaluating blast danger areas for LOX/Methane rockets, SpaceX is confident that Starship operations will not disrupt other launch operators at Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), as the maps above show. The proposed clear distances will have no effect on any other operational launch site, or North-South traffic on CCSFS. SpaceX looks forward to having an open, honest, and reasonable discussion based on science and data regarding spaceport operations with industry colleagues. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1094,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Ultimately, increasing launch cadence and launch capacity is not a zero-sum game. SpaceX and the federal range operators have proven this with the Falcon rockets, which have shown the ranges can accommodate high cadence launch rates, including launches every day for several days in a row. With appropriate planning, coordination, deconfliction, and modernized safety procedures based on data, America’s spaceports can accommodate many flights from multiple providers on a continuous basis.  Coordination across all providers and our government counterparts is the primary enabler of moving rocket launches into airport-like operations.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1107,"heading":"Being Good Neighbors","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":123,"caption":"<i>Rendering of future Starship launch pads planned for Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida</i>","style":null,"image":{"id":6297,"name":"Pad37_FlyOver_Desktop.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2600,"height":1200,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff.jpg","hash":"large_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Pad37_FlyOver_Desktop.jpg","path":null,"size":95.88,"width":1000,"height":462,"sizeInBytes":95884},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff.jpg","hash":"small_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Pad37_FlyOver_Desktop.jpg","path":null,"size":23.83,"width":500,"height":231,"sizeInBytes":23832},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff.jpg","hash":"medium_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Pad37_FlyOver_Desktop.jpg","path":null,"size":53.21,"width":750,"height":346,"sizeInBytes":53210},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Pad37_FlyOver_Desktop.jpg","path":null,"size":6.43,"width":245,"height":113,"sizeInBytes":6426}},"hash":"Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":608.23,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Pad37_Fly_Over_Desktop_57943a8aff.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:23.651Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:23.651Z","documentId":"c0dc4fbc1baknts0a98wq0eo","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:23.652Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1095,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The United States currently has a very small number of viable orbital launch sites, and only the Cape Canaveral area provides access to low- to mid-inclination prograde orbits, as well as to geostationary orbit which is required for many commercial, national security, and science satellites.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1096,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX currently has launch pads and rocket processing facilities within Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and Vandenberg Space Force Base along with production, test, and launch facilities at Starbase in South Texas. In the near term, we’re planning to build additional launch pads in Florida for Starship.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1097,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Sharing the spaceport means being a good neighbor to both our fellow launch providers and the broader community. SpaceX launches Falcon multiple times per week from Florida today with little-to-no negative effect to fishing, shipping, or aviation because of our close and proactive efforts with our government partners like FAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Space Force. SpaceX continually works with FAA to understand the best approaches to efficiently integrate launch and reentry operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). Because of these efforts, many critical air travel routes around the Space Coast remain open during SpaceX rocket launches, and any localized airspace closures are released as little as three minutes after liftoff.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1098,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX and FAA are applying the same proven approach to Starship. During Flight 10 from Starbase, FAA reopened all affected airspace within 10 minutes, with some portions reopening within 7 minutes, and there was no meaningful disruption to air traffic due to effective prior coordination. We are confident in this partnership to continue to efficiently integrate these operations into the National Airspace System (NAS). As we have demonstrated with Falcon operations, aircraft hazard areas (AHAs) undergo significant size reductions as a vehicle builds flight heritage. For example, we have reduced Falcon 9 hazard areas for Starlink missions by approximately 66 percent since 2022. The AHAs and accompanying descriptions published within the recent Launch Complex 39A draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are extremely conservative by nature and are intended to capture a composite of the full range of worst-case outcomes, but not any single real-world operation. SpaceX fully anticipates actual, implemented AHAs will be both far smaller in geographic scope and far shorter in duration, validated by the robust flight data and heritage we are building from Starbase.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1108,"heading":"For the Benefit of All","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":124,"caption":"<i>Access to space is a critical and growing need for US national security, leadership in science, the country’s exploration goals, including NASA’s Artemis program, and for the growth of the economy</i>","style":null,"image":{"id":6294,"name":"07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5666,"height":3500,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf.jpg","hash":"large_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":51,"width":1000,"height":618,"sizeInBytes":51000},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf.jpg","hash":"small_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":15.05,"width":500,"height":309,"sizeInBytes":15050},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf.jpg","hash":"medium_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":30.3,"width":750,"height":463,"sizeInBytes":30301},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_07 24 25 HLS on surface elevator down.jpg","path":null,"size":4.52,"width":245,"height":151,"sizeInBytes":4522}},"hash":"07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1133.3,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/07_24_25_HLS_on_surface_elevator_down_cb183237cf.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/698","createdAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:13.061Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:13.061Z","documentId":"wui0lyenyi0xkfcdqoiwmb2q","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-09-17T17:25:13.063Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1099,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Presently, there is unprecedented demand for access to space. It is longstanding national policy that a robust and healthy commercial space sector - with a variety of U.S. Government and commercial customers - is critical to ensuring this continued access. Recent Executive actions have reaffirmed this national policy and called for direct action to enable more launches from U.S. spaceports to support our national defense, NASA’s exploration mission, and our economy.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1100,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is a critical piece in maintaining this national policy and in realizing key national priorities like returning American astronauts to the Moon as part of the Artemis Program. We’re also not the only provider relying on the ability to launch rapidly from locations like Florida’s Space Coast. These national goals will only be achieved by advancing the entire launch industry’s ability to fly rapidly and reliably, ideally from multiple locations to increase resilience to uncontrollable variables like weather.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1101,"heading":null,"paragraph":"For the first time in history, there is a concerted effort from several fronts to break the mold of what’s considered conventionally possible when it comes to launching rockets. An effort to advance from the staid stance of slow and cumbersome operations when launching people and payloads to outer space into a dynamic future more akin to what hundreds of millions experience every year via the world’s airports. SpaceX, along with countless others, believes that unlimited opportunities and tangible benefits for life on Earth are within reach if humanity can fundamentally advance its ability to access space. This is why we’re committed to continually pushing the boundaries of launch, with a relentless focus on safety and reliability.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":160,"documentId":"qfz1d80cjx1k779m8m6ew0l2","updateId":"eva-suit","date":"2024-05-04","title":"THE EXTRAVEHICULAR ACTIVITY (EVA) SUIT","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4975,"name":"EvaSuit_Desktop_alternate.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2600,"height":1200,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e.jpg","hash":"large_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_EvaSuit_Desktop_alternate.jpg","path":null,"size":24.08,"width":1000,"height":462},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e.jpg","hash":"small_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_EvaSuit_Desktop_alternate.jpg","path":null,"size":8.06,"width":500,"height":231},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e.jpg","hash":"medium_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_EvaSuit_Desktop_alternate.jpg","path":null,"size":15.35,"width":750,"height":346},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_EvaSuit_Desktop_alternate.jpg","path":null,"size":2.93,"width":245,"height":113}},"hash":"Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":127.69,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Eva_Suit_Desktop_alternate_1cf9bae18e.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/102/235","createdAt":"2024-05-04T04:20:16.682Z","updatedAt":"2024-05-04T04:20:16.682Z","documentId":"nrc3px0rge388x40yvxq29se","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":496,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In February 2022, Jared Isaacman and SpaceX announced the <a href=https://polarisprogram.com/ target=\"_\"><u><b>Polaris Program</b></u></a>, an effort designed to rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities, while also supporting important causes here on Earth.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":497,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Polaris Dawn, the first of the program’s three human spaceflight missions, is targeted to launch to orbit no earlier than summer 2024. During the five-day mission, the crew will perform SpaceX’s first-ever Extravehicular Activity (more commonly known as an EVA or spacewalk) from Dragon, which will also be the first-ever commercial astronaut spacewalk. This historic milestone will also be the first time four astronauts will be exposed to the vacuum of space at the same time.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":498,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Supporting the crew throughout the spacewalk will be SpaceX’s newly-developed <a href=https://spacex.com/humanspaceflight/ target=\"_\"><u><b>EVA suit</b></u></a>, an evolution of the Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suit crews currently wear aboard Dragon human spaceflight missions. Developed with mobility in mind, SpaceX teams incorporated new materials, fabrication processes, and novel joint designs to provide greater flexibility to astronauts in pressurized scenarios while retaining comfort for unpressurized scenarios. The 3D-printed helmet incorporates a new visor to reduce glare during the EVA in addition to the new Heads-Up Display (HUD) and camera that provide information on the suit’s pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. The suit also incorporates enhancements for reliability and redundancy during a spacewalk, adding seals and pressure valves to help ensure the suit remains pressurized and the crew remains safe.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":499,"heading":null,"paragraph":"All of these enhancements to the EVA suit are part of a scalable design, allowing teams to produce and scale to different body types as SpaceX seeks to create greater accessibility to space for all of humanity.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":500,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While Polaris Dawn will be the first time the SpaceX EVA suit is used in low-Earth orbit, the suit’s ultimate destiny lies much farther from our home planet. Building a base on the Moon and a city on Mars will require the development of a scalable design for the millions of spacesuits required to help make life multiplanetary.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":161,"documentId":"oft1fnnniihtwmo0t6e95lst","updateId":"dearmoon-crew","date":"2022-12-08","title":"Meet the dearMoon Crew","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4178,"name":"dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","alternativeText":"dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","caption":"dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422.jpg","hash":"large_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","path":null,"size":113.16,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422.jpg","hash":"small_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","path":null,"size":36,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422.jpg","hash":"medium_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","path":null,"size":70.06,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_dearMoon_Key Visual_Final.jpg","path":null,"size":11.21,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":336.21,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/dear_Moon_Key_Visual_Final_2fdfb55422.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/21","createdAt":"2022-12-14T22:39:08.769Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T22:39:08.769Z","documentId":"s1bm0oj7vp3tb03b6kyg1k5o","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":501,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa <a href=\"https://dearmoon.earth\" target=\"_\"><strong>announced</strong></a> today ten crewmembers, including two backups, who will join him on the dearMoon mission. The dearMoon crew will be the first humans Starship will launch, fly around the Moon, and safely return to Earth. Over the course of their weeklong journey, this crew of artists, content creators, and athletes from all around the world will also travel within 200 km of the lunar surface.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":502,"heading":null,"paragraph":"More than one million people in 249 countries and regions around the world applied to fly on Starship as part of the dearMoon mission. This flight is an important step toward enabling access for people who dream of traveling to space. In sharing their experiences flying around the Moon, this crew will inspire everyone back home on Earth, and we look forward to flying them.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":162,"documentId":"dxh6t9o6pte0g92mx7gk8cim","updateId":"sustained-lunar-exploration","date":"2022-11-15","title":"Starship Selected by NASA to Support Sustained Lunar Exploration","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":3966,"name":"Homepage_Desktop.webp","alternativeText":"Homepage_Desktop.webp","caption":"Homepage_Desktop.webp","width":2600,"height":1200,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c.webp","hash":"large_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c","mime":"image/webp","name":"large_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":21.26,"width":1000,"height":462},"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c.webp","hash":"small_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":6.54,"width":500,"height":231},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c.webp","hash":"medium_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":13.33,"width":750,"height":346},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c.webp","hash":"thumbnail_Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":2.19,"width":245,"height":113}},"hash":"Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":130.56,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Homepage_Desktop_5ebdeb0c6c.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/4","createdAt":"2022-12-07T20:26:39.762Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-07T20:26:39.762Z","documentId":"gajlsw2xz8gvx81prskeh23f","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":503,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Sustaining long-term human exploration on the Moon will require the safe and affordable transportation of crew and significant amounts of cargo.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":504,"heading":null,"paragraph":"NASA <a href=\"https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-spacex-second-contract-option-for-artemis-moon-landing-0\" target=\"_\"><strong>announced</strong></a> it has modified its contract with SpaceX to further develop the Starship human landing system. <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/updates/#starship-moon-announcement\" target=\"_\"><strong>Initially selected</strong></a> to develop a lunar lander capable of carrying astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface of the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission—marking humanity's first return to the Moon since the Apollo program’s final mission in 1972—SpaceX will now support a second human landing demonstration as part of NASA's Artemis IV mission. Additionally, SpaceX will demonstrate Starship’s capability to dock with Gateway, a small space station that will orbit the Moon in efforts to support both lunar and deep-space exploration, accommodate four crew members, and deliver more supplies, equipment, and science payloads that are needed for extensive surface exploration.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":505,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX’s <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/\" target=\"_\"><strong>Starship</strong></a> spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket represent an integrated and fully reusable launch, propellant delivery, rendezvous, and planetary lander system with robust capabilities and safety features uniquely designed to deliver these essential building blocks. We are honored to be a part of NASA’s Artemis Program to help return humanity to the Moon and usher in a new era of human space exploration.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":163,"documentId":"yw48c73ip7dibbmb72vp09k6","updateId":"starship-second-moon-flight","date":"2022-10-12","title":"First Crewmembers of Starship’s Second Commercial Spaceflight Around the Moon","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4154,"name":"titos.jpg","alternativeText":"titos.jpg","caption":"titos.jpg","width":2600,"height":1200,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_titos_b5b0e31153.jpg","hash":"large_titos_b5b0e31153","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_titos.jpg","path":null,"size":71.26,"width":1000,"height":462},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_titos_b5b0e31153.jpg","hash":"small_titos_b5b0e31153","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_titos.jpg","path":null,"size":23.48,"width":500,"height":231},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_titos_b5b0e31153.jpg","hash":"medium_titos_b5b0e31153","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_titos.jpg","path":null,"size":45.04,"width":750,"height":346},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_titos_b5b0e31153.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_titos_b5b0e31153","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_titos.jpg","path":null,"size":7.97,"width":245,"height":113}},"hash":"titos_b5b0e31153","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":392.64,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/titos_b5b0e31153.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/22","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:08:35.933Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:08:35.933Z","documentId":"pm0jbilcn3haoe6r3h4yhnb4","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":506,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Dennis and Akiko Tito are the first two crewmembers announced on Starship’s second commercial spaceflight around the Moon. This will be Dennis’ second mission to space after becoming the first commercial astronaut to visit the International Space Station in 2001, and Akiko will be among the first women to fly around the Moon on a Starship. The Titos joined the mission to contribute to SpaceX’s long-term goal to advance human spaceflight and help make life multiplanetary.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":507,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Over the course of a week, Starship and the crew will travel to the Moon, fly within 200 km of the Moon’s surface, and complete a full journey around the Moon before safely returning to Earth. This mission is expected to launch after the Polaris Program’s first flight of Starship and dearMoon.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":164,"documentId":"xr3o2k7vs910kpwh4y9ihbne","updateId":"direct2cell","date":"2022-08-25","title":"SpaceX Invites World's Carriers to Collaborate — No More Cell Phone Dead Zones","youtubeVideoId":"Qzli-Ww26Qs","streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4179,"name":"Homepage_Desktop.webp","alternativeText":"Homepage_Desktop.webp","caption":"Homepage_Desktop.webp","width":2600,"height":1200,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332.webp","hash":"large_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332","mime":"image/webp","name":"large_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":58.35,"width":1000,"height":462},"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332.webp","hash":"small_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":19.47,"width":500,"height":231},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332.webp","hash":"medium_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":37.06,"width":750,"height":346},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332.webp","hash":"thumbnail_Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_Homepage_Desktop.webp","path":null,"size":6.33,"width":245,"height":113}},"hash":"Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":227.86,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Homepage_Desktop_2c0ffe0332.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/23","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:15:41.025Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:15:41.025Z","documentId":"wb0kqrfsjmpz6drh36845som","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":508,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX’s Chief Engineer Elon Musk and T-Mobile’s CEO and President Mike Sievert <a href=\"https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-takes-coverage-above-and-beyond-with-spacex\" target=\"_\"><strong>announced</strong></a> today a breakthrough plan to provide truly universal cellular connectivity.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":509,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Despite powerful LTE and 5G terrestrial wireless networks, more than 20% of the United States land area and 90% of the Earth remain uncovered by wireless companies. These dead zones have serious consequences for remote communities and those who travel off the grid for work or leisure. The telecom industry has struggled to cover these areas with traditional cellular technology due to land-use restrictions (e.g. National Parks), terrain limits (e.g. mountains, deserts and other topographical realities) and the globe’s sheer vastness. In those areas, people are either left disconnected or resort to lugging around a satellite phone and paying exorbitant rates.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":510,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Leveraging Starlink, SpaceX’s constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, and T-Mobile’s wireless network, the companies are planning to provide customers text coverage practically everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters, even outside the signal of T-Mobile’s network. The service will be offered starting with a beta in select areas by the end of next year after SpaceX’s planned satellite launches. Text messaging, including SMS, MMS, and participating messaging apps, will empower customers to stay connected and share experiences nearly everywhere. Afterwards, the companies plan to pursue the addition of voice and data coverage.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":511,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In addition, Elon and Mike shared their vision for expanding Coverage Above and Beyond globally, issuing an open invitation to the world’s carriers to collaborate for truly global connectivity. T-Mobile committed to offer reciprocal roaming to those providers working with them to enable this vision.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":512,"heading":null,"paragraph":"This service will have a tremendous impact on the safety, peace of mind, and individual and business opportunities around the globe. The applications range from connecting hikers in national parks, rural communities, remote sensors and devices, and people and devices in emergency situations, such as firefighters.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":513,"heading":null,"paragraph":"This satellite-to-cellular service will provide nearly complete coverage anywhere a customer can see the sky—meaning you can continue texting and eventually make a cell phone call even when you leave terrestrial coverage. We’ve designed our system so that no modifications are required to the cell phone everyone has in their pocket today, and no new firmware, software updates, or apps are needed. As a complementary technology to terrestrial networks, SpaceX can enable mobile network operators to connect more people, fulfill coverage requirements, and create new business opportunities.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":514,"heading":null,"paragraph":"If you represent a mobile network operator or regulatory agency and are interested in partnering with SpaceX to bring this new level of mobile connectivity to your region, please reach out to us at <a href=\"mailto:direct2cell@spacex.com\"><strong>direct2cell@spacex.com</strong></a>.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":165,"documentId":"staf355460t0sgbtqmbyvt55","updateId":"sustainability","date":"2022-02-22","title":"SpaceX's Approach to Space Sustainability and Safety","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4183,"name":"Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","alternativeText":"Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","caption":"Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","width":3000,"height":2000,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937.webp","hash":"large_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937","mime":"image/webp","name":"large_Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","path":null,"size":85.99,"width":1000,"height":667},"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937.webp","hash":"small_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","path":null,"size":22.2,"width":500,"height":333},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937.webp","hash":"medium_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","path":null,"size":51.19,"width":750,"height":500},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937.webp","hash":"thumbnail_Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_Starlink_Nightsky_photo-01.webp","path":null,"size":4.35,"width":234,"height":156}},"hash":"Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":573.24,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starlink_Nightsky_photo_01_4962fd5937.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/24","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:37.565Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:37.565Z","documentId":"htbtc1lsnpchljwilkc5vs9n","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":515,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX was founded to revolutionize space technology towards making life multiplanetary. SpaceX is the world’s leading provider of launch services and is proud to be the first private company to have delivered astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS), and the first and only company to complete an all-civilian crewed mission to orbit. As such, SpaceX is deeply committed to maintaining a safe orbital environment, protecting human spaceflight, and ensuring the environment is kept sustainable for future missions to Earth orbit and beyond.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":516,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX has demonstrated this commitment to space safety through action, investing significant resources to ensure that all our launch vehicles, spacecraft, and satellites meet or exceed space safety regulations and best practices, including:","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":533,"heading":null,"paragraph":null,"listItems":[{"id":39,"description":"Designing and building highly reliable, maneuverable satellites that have demonstrated reliability of greater than 99%"},{"id":40,"description":"Operating at low altitudes (below 600 km) to ensure no persistent debris, even in the unlikely event a satellite fails on orbit"},{"id":41,"description":"Inserting satellites at an especially low altitude to verify health prior to raising into their on-station/operational orbit"},{"id":42,"description":"Transparently sharing orbital information with other satellite owners/operators"},{"id":43,"description":"Developed an advanced collision avoidance system to take effective action when encounter risks exceed safe thresholds"}],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":517,"heading":null,"paragraph":"With space sustainability in mind, we have pushed the state-of-the-art in key technology areas like flying satellites at challenging low altitudes, the use of sustainable electric propulsion for maneuvering and active de-orbit, and employing inter-satellite optical communications to constantly maintain contact with satellites. SpaceX is striving to be the world’s most open and transparent satellite operator, and we encourage other operators to join us in sharing orbital data and keeping the public and governments updated with detailed information about operations and practices.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":518,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX continues to innovate to accelerate space technologies, and we are currently providing much-needed internet connectivity to people all over the globe, including underserved and remote parts of the world, with our Starlink constellation. Below are our operating principles demonstrating our commitment to space sustainability and safety.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":519,"heading":"Designing and Building Safe, Reliable and Demisable Satellites","paragraph":"SpaceX satellites are designed and built for high reliability and redundancy in both supply chain and satellite design to successfully carry out their five-year design life. Rigorous part and system-level screening and testing enable us to reliably build and launch satellites at very high rates. We have the capacity to build up to 45 satellites per week, and we have launched up to 240 satellites in a single month. This is an unprecedented rate of deployment for a complex space system — and reflects SpaceX’s commitment to increase broadband accessibility around the world with Starlink as soon as feasible.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":520,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The reliability of the satellite network is currently higher than 99% following the deployment of over 2,000 satellites, where only 1% have failed after orbit raising. We de-orbit satellites that are at risk of becoming non-maneuverable to prevent dead satellites from accumulating in orbit. Although this comes at the cost of losing otherwise healthy satellites, we believe this proactive approach is the right thing for space sustainability and safety.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":521,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Our satellites use multiple strategies to prevent debris generation in space: design for demise, controlled deorbit to low altitudes, low orbit insertion, low operating orbit, on-board collision avoidance system, reducing the chance small debris will damage the satellite with a low profile satellite chassis and using <a style='font-weight: bold;' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipple_shield' target='_'>Whipple shields</a> to protect the key components, reducing risk of explosion with extensive battery pack protection, and failure modes that do not create secondary debris.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":522,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX satellites are propulsively deorbited within weeks of their end-of-mission-life. We reserve enough propellant to deorbit from our operational altitude, and it takes roughly 4 weeks to deorbit. Once the satellites reach an appropriate altitude, we coordinate with the 18th Space Control Squadron. Once coordinated, we initiate a high drag mode, causing the satellite’s velocity to reduce sufficiently that the satellite deorbits. The satellites deorbit quickly from this altitude, depending on atmospheric density. SpaceX is the only commercial operator to have developed expertise in flying in a controlled way in this low altitude, high drag environment, which is incredibly difficult and required a significant investment in specialized satellite engineering. SpaceX made these investments so that we can maintain controlled flight as long as possible prior to deorbit, providing us with the ability to perform any necessary maneuvers to further reduce collision risk.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":523,"heading":null,"paragraph":"When a satellite’s altitude decays, it encounters a constantly increasing atmospheric density. Initially, these molecules impact the satellite, but as the air density increases, a high-pressure shock wave forms in front of the spacecraft. As the satellite slows down and descends into the atmosphere, its orbital energy is transferred into the air, heating it to a plasma. The hot plasma sheath envelops the satellite, causing intense heating. Starlink satellites are designed to demise as they reenter the Earth’s atmosphere, meaning they pose no risk to people or property on the ground. Design for demise required the investment of significant engineering resources and often required adding cost and even mass to our satellites, such as our decision to use aluminum rather than composite overwrap pressure vessels for the fuel tank for our propulsion system. SpaceX has safely deorbited over 200 satellites utilizing this approach. By building reliable, debris minimizing satellites, planning for active deorbit and designing for full demisability, we ensure we’re keeping space sustainable and safe.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":524,"heading":"Extremely Low Orbit Insertion","paragraph":"In addition to SpaceX designing and building very reliable satellites, we further mitigate risks by deploying the satellites into extremely low orbits relative to industry standards. We deploy our satellites into low altitudes (<350km) and use our state-of-the-art electric propulsion thruster to boost the satellites to the operational altitude of approximately 550 km to start their mission. We leverage SpaceX’s technical advancements to maintain controlled flight at these low altitudes. By deploying the satellites into such low altitudes, in the rare case where any SpaceX satellite does not pass initial system checkouts, it is quickly and actively deorbited using its thruster or passively by atmospheric drag. This approach is not without complexity or other challenges. This was best evidenced by the recent February 3rd Starlink launch, after which <a style='font-weight: bold;' href='https://www.spacex.com/updates/#sl-geostorm' target='_'>increased drag from a geomagnetic storm resulted in the premature deorbit of 38 satellites</a>. Despite such challenges, SpaceX firmly believes that a low insertion altitude is key for ensuring responsible space operations.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":534,"heading":"Operating Below 600 km","paragraph":"SpaceX operates its satellites at an altitude below 600 km because of the reduced natural orbit decay time relative to those above 600 km. Starlink operates in \\\"self-cleaning\\\" orbits, meaning that non-maneuverable satellites and debris will lose altitude and deorbit due to atmospheric drag within 5 to 6 years, and often sooner, see Fig. 1. This greatly reduces the risk of persistent orbital debris, and vastly exceeds the FCC and international standard of 25 years (which we believe is outdated and should be reduced). Natural deorbit from altitudes higher than 600 km poses significantly higher orbital debris risk for many years at all lower orbital altitudes as the satellite or debris deorbits. Several other commercial satellite constellations are designed to operate above 1,000 km, where it requires hundreds of years for spacecraft to naturally deorbit if they fail prior to deorbit or are not deorbited by active debris removal, as in Fig. 1. SpaceX invested considerable effort and expense in developing satellites that would fly at these lower altitudes, including investment in sophisticated attitude and propulsion systems. SpaceX is hopeful active debris removal technology will be developed in the near term, but this technology does not currently exist.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":71,"caption":"Fig. 1: Orbital lifetime for a satellite with a mass-to-area ratio of 40kg/m2 at various starting altitudes and average solar cycle.","style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":3757,"name":"figure_1.webp","alternativeText":"figure_1.webp","caption":"figure_1.webp","width":816,"height":525,"formats":{"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_figure_1_daf6a9bb3e.webp","hash":"small_figure_1_daf6a9bb3e","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_figure_1.webp","path":null,"size":6.49,"width":500,"height":322},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_figure_1_daf6a9bb3e.webp","hash":"medium_figure_1_daf6a9bb3e","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_figure_1.webp","path":null,"size":10.74,"width":750,"height":483},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_figure_1_daf6a9bb3e.webp","hash":"thumbnail_figure_1_daf6a9bb3e","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_figure_1.webp","path":null,"size":2.59,"width":242,"height":156}},"hash":"figure_1_daf6a9bb3e","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":11.23,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/figure_1_daf6a9bb3e.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/24","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:31.233Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:31.233Z","documentId":"e34ikcxu5t4an1vgk9zf6rdk","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":535,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Fig. 2 shows debris as a function of each altitude. The debris generated from collision events from satellites flying at altitudes above 600km will stay in orbit for decades to come and create orbital debris risk for each altitude they pass through as they deorbit.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":72,"caption":"Fig. 2: Debris per 1-km altitude shell as a function of orbital altitude.","style":"background-color: white; margin: auto;","image":{"id":4238,"name":"figure_2.webp","alternativeText":"figure_2.webp","caption":"figure_2.webp","width":7200,"height":3600,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_figure_2_e076a5aa6f.webp","hash":"large_figure_2_e076a5aa6f","mime":"image/webp","name":"large_figure_2.webp","path":null,"size":25.13,"width":1000,"height":500},"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_figure_2_e076a5aa6f.webp","hash":"small_figure_2_e076a5aa6f","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_figure_2.webp","path":null,"size":10.9,"width":500,"height":250},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_figure_2_e076a5aa6f.webp","hash":"medium_figure_2_e076a5aa6f","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_figure_2.webp","path":null,"size":18.14,"width":750,"height":375},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_figure_2_e076a5aa6f.webp","hash":"thumbnail_figure_2_e076a5aa6f","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_figure_2.webp","path":null,"size":3.96,"width":245,"height":122}},"hash":"figure_2_e076a5aa6f","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":218.96,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/figure_2_e076a5aa6f.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/24","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:44.577Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:44.577Z","documentId":"i166a9jljkqc27uvhvngzh0o","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":525,"heading":"Transparency and Data Sharing","paragraph":"SpaceX transparently and continuously shares the details of our Starlink network both with governments and other satellite owners/operators. We work to ensure accurate, relevant, and up-to-date information related to space safety, and space situational awareness is shared with all operators. SpaceX shares high fidelity future position and velocity prediction data (ephemerides) for all SpaceX satellites.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":526,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX shares both propagated ephemerides and covariance (statistical uncertainty of the predictions) data on <a style='font-weight: bold;' href='https://www.space-track.org/' target='_'>Space-Track.org</a> and encourages all other operators to do so, as this enables more meaningful and accurate computation of collision risks. SpaceX is also working to make it even easier for anyone to access our ephemerides by eliminating any requirement to login to Space-Track.org to see our data.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":536,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In addition to providing our satellite ephemerides, SpaceX volunteered to provide routine system health reports to the Federal Communications Commission (\"FCC\"), something no other operator has ever offered or currently does. These reports indicate the status of our constellation, including a summary of the operational status of our satellite fleet, and the number of maneuvers performed to reduce the collision probability with other objects. Fig. 3 is a sample of the number of maneuvers Starlink has done over the 6-month period from June 2021 through November 2021.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":73,"caption":"Fig. 3: Number of SpaceX maneuvers from July-Dec 2021 (total was 3300)","style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":3758,"name":"figure_3.webp","alternativeText":"figure_3.webp","caption":"figure_3.webp","width":1038,"height":782,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_figure_3_e5cda02f08.webp","hash":"large_figure_3_e5cda02f08","mime":"image/webp","name":"large_figure_3.webp","path":null,"size":10.09,"width":1000,"height":753},"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_figure_3_e5cda02f08.webp","hash":"small_figure_3_e5cda02f08","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_figure_3.webp","path":null,"size":4.26,"width":500,"height":377},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_figure_3_e5cda02f08.webp","hash":"medium_figure_3_e5cda02f08","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_figure_3.webp","path":null,"size":6.86,"width":750,"height":565},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_figure_3_e5cda02f08.webp","hash":"thumbnail_figure_3_e5cda02f08","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_figure_3.webp","path":null,"size":1.57,"width":207,"height":156}},"hash":"figure_3_e5cda02f08","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":8.92,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/figure_3_e5cda02f08.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/24","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:32.634Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:32.634Z","documentId":"o9pf677odwfa5l7hljhp7l5n","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":527,"heading":"Collision Avoidance System","paragraph":"SpaceX has high fidelity location and prediction data for our satellites from deployment through end-of-life disposal, and we share this information continuously with the U.S. Space Force, LeoLabs and other operators for tracking and collision avoidance screening. SpaceX satellites regularly downlink accurate orbital information from onboard GPS. We use this orbital information, combined with planned maneuvers, to accurately predict future ephemerides, which are uploaded to Space-Track.org three times per day. LeoLabs downloads our ephemerides from Space-Track.org and along with the U.S. Space Force's 18th Space Control Squadron screens these trajectories against other satellites and debris to predict any potential conjunctions. Such conjunctions are communicated back to SpaceX and other satellite owners/operators as Conjunction Data Messages (CDMs), which include satellite state vectors, position uncertainties, maneuverability status, and the owner/operator information. SpaceX uploads these CDMs to applicable SpaceX satellites.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":528,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To accomplish safe space operations in a scalable way, SpaceX has developed and equipped every SpaceX satellite with an onboard, autonomous collision avoidance system that ensures it can maneuver to avoid potential collisions with other objects. If there is a greater than 1/100,000 probability of collision (10x lower than the industry standard of 1/10,000) for a conjunction, satellites will plan avoidance maneuvers. When planning a maneuver for any conjunction, the satellites take care to avoid inadvertently increasing risk for other conjunctions above the same threshold.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":529,"heading":null,"paragraph":"By default, Starlink satellites assume maneuver responsibility for all conjunction events. Upon receipt of a high-probability conjunction with another maneuverable satellite, SpaceX coordinates with the other operator. SpaceX operators are on-call 24/7 to coordinate and respond to inquiries from other operators; contact information for high-urgency requests is available to other operators via Space-Track.org. If the other operator prefers to take maneuver responsibility themselves, Starlink satellites can be commanded to not maneuver for an event.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":537,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In addition to collision avoidance maneuvers, Starlink satellites can autonomously “duck” for conjunctions, orienting their attitude to have the smallest possible cross-section (like the edge of a sheet of paper) in the direction of the potential conjunction, reducing collision probability by another 4-10x (see Fig. 4).","listItems":[],"image":{"id":74,"caption":"Fig. 4: SpaceX’s “duck” maneuver (right) minimizing area in potential collision direction (out of page) compared with worst-case orientation (left)","style":"margin: auto; max-width: 60%;","image":{"id":4182,"name":"figure_4.webp","alternativeText":"figure_4.webp","caption":"figure_4.webp","width":1616,"height":1424,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_figure_4_4052232ba8.webp","hash":"large_figure_4_4052232ba8","mime":"image/webp","name":"large_figure_4.webp","path":null,"size":40.24,"width":1000,"height":881},"small":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_figure_4_4052232ba8.webp","hash":"small_figure_4_4052232ba8","mime":"image/webp","name":"small_figure_4.webp","path":null,"size":11.23,"width":500,"height":441},"medium":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_figure_4_4052232ba8.webp","hash":"medium_figure_4_4052232ba8","mime":"image/webp","name":"medium_figure_4.webp","path":null,"size":22.55,"width":750,"height":661},"thumbnail":{"ext":".webp","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_figure_4_4052232ba8.webp","hash":"thumbnail_figure_4_4052232ba8","mime":"image/webp","name":"thumbnail_figure_4.webp","path":null,"size":1.91,"width":177,"height":156}},"hash":"figure_4_4052232ba8","ext":".webp","mime":"image/webp","size":84.5,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/figure_4_4052232ba8.webp","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/24","createdAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:32.982Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-14T23:20:32.982Z","documentId":"ipw9z6ekvougtqaox3ih5n9l","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":530,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX’s collision avoidance system has been thoroughly reviewed by NASA’s Conjunction Assessment and Risk Analysis (CARA) program under a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA, and per the SAA, NASA relies on it to avoid collisions with NASA science spacecraft.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":531,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX satellites’ flight paths are designed to avoid inhabited space stations like the International Space Station (ISS) and the Chinese Space Station Tiangong by a wide margin. We work directly with NASA and receive ISS maneuver plans to stay clear of their current and planned trajectory including burns. China does not publish planned maneuvers, but we still make every effort to avoid their station with ISS-equivalent clearance based on publicly available ephemerides.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":532,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX is proud of our sophisticated and constantly improving design, test, and operational approach to improve space sustainability and safety, which are critical towards accelerating space exploration while bringing Internet connectivity to the globe. We urge all satellite owner/operators to make similar investments in sustainability and safety and make their operations transparent. We encourage all owner/operators to generate high quality propagated ephemeris and covariance for screening by the 18th Space Control Squadron and to openly share this information with others to maximize coordination to ensure a sustainable and safe space environment for the future. Ultimately, space sustainability is a technical challenge that can be effectively managed with the appropriate assessment of risk, the exchange of information, and the proper implementation of technology and operational controls.  Together we can ensure that space is available for humanity to use and explore for generations to come.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":166,"documentId":"e1w0ze08kbem4r4ceohh2m94","updateId":"flight-3-report","date":"2024-05-24","title":"ON THE PATH TO RAPID REUSABILITY","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4731,"name":"Starship_OTF-3_Onboard_20240315-ship28-mpeg_ts_stream4.00_23_55_15.still022.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1080,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912.jpg","hash":"large_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Starship_OTF-3_Onboard_20240315-ship28-mpeg_ts_stream4.00_23_55_15.still022.jpg","path":null,"size":83.16,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912.jpg","hash":"small_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Starship_OTF-3_Onboard_20240315-ship28-mpeg_ts_stream4.00_23_55_15.still022.jpg","path":null,"size":29.69,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912.jpg","hash":"medium_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Starship_OTF-3_Onboard_20240315-ship28-mpeg_ts_stream4.00_23_55_15.still022.jpg","path":null,"size":55.04,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Starship_OTF-3_Onboard_20240315-ship28-mpeg_ts_stream4.00_23_55_15.still022.jpg","path":null,"size":9.01,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":199.19,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starship_OTF_3_Onboard_20240315_ship28_mpeg_ts_stream4_00_23_55_15_still022_7fee0b1912.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106","createdAt":"2024-05-21T19:54:14.493Z","updatedAt":"2024-05-21T19:54:14.493Z","documentId":"lydrv06r3us7z7tmkop1pnuj","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":538,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is designed to fundamentally alter humanity’s access to space, ultimately enabling us to make life multiplanetary. The third flight test of Starship and Super Heavy made tremendous strides towards this future and was an important step on the road to rapidly reliable reusable rockets. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":539,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On March 14, 2024, Starship successfully lifted off at 8:25 a.m. CT from Starbase, Texas. All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster started up successfully and completed a full-duration burn during ascent, followed by a successful hot-stage separation. This was the second successful ascent of the Super Heavy booster, the world’s most powerful launch vehicle. At stage separation, Starship's six second stage Raptor engines all started successfully and powered the vehicle to its expected trajectory, becoming the first Starship to complete its full-duration ascent burn.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":540,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following stage separation, Super Heavy initiated its boostback burn, which sends commands to 13 of the vehicle’s 33 Raptor engines to propel the rocket toward its intended landing location. All 13 engines ran successfully until six engines began shutting down, triggering a benign early boostback shutdown. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":541,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The booster then continued to descend until attempting its landing burn, which commands the same 13 engines used during boostback to perform the planned final slowing for the rocket before a soft touchdown in the water, but the six engines that shut down early in the boostback burn were disabled from attempting the landing burn startup, leaving seven engines commanded to start up with two successfully reaching mainstage ignition. The booster had lower than expected landing burn thrust when contact was lost at approximately 462 meters in altitude over the Gulf of Mexico and just under seven minutes into the mission.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":542,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most likely root cause for the early boostback burn shutdown was determined to be continued filter blockage where liquid oxygen is supplied to the engines, leading to a loss of inlet pressure in engine oxygen turbopumps. SpaceX implemented hardware changes ahead of Flight 3 to mitigate this issue, which resulted in the booster progressing to its first ever landing burn attempt. Super Heavy boosters for Flight 4 and beyond will get additional hardware inside oxygen tanks to further improve propellant filtration capabilities. And utilizing data gathered from Super Heavy’s first ever landing burn attempt, additional hardware and software changes are being implemented to increase startup reliability of the Raptor engines in landing conditions.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":543,"heading":null,"paragraph":"During Starship’s coast phase, the vehicle accomplished several of the flight test’s additional objectives, including the first ever test of its payload door in space. The vehicle also successfully completed a propellant transfer demonstration, moving liquid oxygen from a header tank into the main tank. This test provided valuable data for eventual ship-to-ship propellant transfers that will enable missions like returning astronauts to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":544,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Several minutes after Starship began its coast phase, the vehicle began losing the ability to control its attitude. Starship continued flying its nominal trajectory but given the loss of attitude control, the vehicle automatically triggered a pre-planned command to skip its planned on-orbit relight of a single Raptor engine.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":545,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship went on to experience its first ever reentry from space, providing valuable data on heating and vehicle control during hypersonic reentry. The lack of attitude control resulted in an off-nominal entry, with the ship seeing much larger than anticipated heating on both protected and unprotected areas. High-definition live views of entry and a considerable amount of telemetry were successfully transmitted in real time by Starlink terminals operating on Starship. The flight test’s conclusion came when telemetry was lost at approximately 65 kilometers in altitude, roughly 49 minutes into the mission.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":546,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most likely root cause of the unplanned roll was determined to be clogging of the valves responsible for roll control. SpaceX has since added additional roll control thrusters on upcoming Starships to improve attitude control redundancy and upgraded hardware for improved resilience to blockage.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":547,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following the flight test, SpaceX led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB). During Flight 3, neither vehicle’s automated flight safety system was triggered, and no vehicle debris impacted outside of pre-defined hazard areas. Pending FAA finding of no public safety impact, a license modification for the next flight can be issued without formal closure of the mishap investigation. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":548,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Upgrades derived from the flight test will debut on the next launch from Starbase on Flight 4, as we turn our focus from achieving orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy. The team incorporated numerous hardware and software improvements in addition to operational changes including the jettison of the Super Heavy’s hot-stage adapter following boostback to reduce booster mass for the final phase of flight.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":549,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The third flight of Starship provided a glimpse through brilliant plasma of a rapidly reusable future on the horizon. We’re continuing to rapidly develop Starship, putting flight hardware in a flight environment to learn as quickly as possible as we build a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":167,"documentId":"m0wdw3c89ob04yu3ggg15e8n","updateId":"vast-announcement","date":"2023-05-10","title":"SPACEX TO LAUNCH VAST’S COMMERCIAL SPACE STATION AND FIRST HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT MISSION","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4083,"name":"Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","alternativeText":"Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","caption":"Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","width":2600,"height":1463,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f.jpg","hash":"large_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","path":null,"size":76.55,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f.jpg","hash":"small_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","path":null,"size":23.55,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f.jpg","hash":"medium_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","path":null,"size":47.18,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Haven1_Hero-(5)_2600x1400.jpg","path":null,"size":7.32,"width":245,"height":137}},"hash":"Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":360.92,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Haven1_Hero_5_2600x1400_a23f540f5f.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/94","createdAt":"2023-05-09T21:41:48.937Z","updatedAt":"2023-05-09T21:41:48.937Z","documentId":"nqzikp7ykhxm70kdmxsyimm1","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":550,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Vast <a href=\"https://www.vastspace.com/updates/vast-announces-the-haven-1-and-vast-1-human-spaceflight-mission-launched-by-spacex-on-a-dragon-spacecraft\" target=\"_\"><strong>announced</strong></a> today that SpaceX will launch what is expected to be the world’s first commercial space station, known as Vast Haven-1, quickly followed by two human spaceflight missions to said space station. Scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket to low-Earth orbit no earlier than August 2025. Haven-1 will be a fully-functional independent space station and eventually be connected as a module to a larger Vast space station currently in development. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":551,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Upon launch of Haven-1, Falcon 9 will launch Vast’s first human spaceflight mission to the commercial space station, Vast-1. Dragon and its four-person crew will dock with Haven-1 for up to 30 days while orbiting Earth. Vast also secured an option for an additional human spaceflight mission to the station aboard a Dragon spacecraft.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":552,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The Vast-1 crew selection process is underway and the crew will be announced at a future date. Once finalized, SpaceX will provide crew training on Falcon 9 and the Dragon spacecraft, emergency preparedness, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial and full mission simulations including docking and undocking for return to Earth.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":553,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Vast’s long-term goal is to develop a 100-meter-long multi-module spinning artificial gravity space station launched by SpaceX’s Starship transportation system. In support of this, Vast will explore conducting the world’s first spinning artificial gravity experiment on a commercial space station with Haven-1. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":554,"heading":null,"paragraph":"This new partnership between Vast and SpaceX will continue to create and accelerate greater accessibility to space and more opportunities for exploration on the road to making humanity multiplanetary.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":168,"documentId":"nwepe7e6b4ec4w4352xyn1og","updateId":"starships-fly","date":"2024-09-10","title":"STARSHIPS ARE MEANT TO FLY","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":3921,"name":"Flight-3_LiftOff_20240314_001203.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3429,"height":1929,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight-3_LiftOff_20240314_001203.jpg","path":null,"size":63.26,"width":1000,"height":562},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight-3_LiftOff_20240314_001203.jpg","path":null,"size":21.42,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight-3_LiftOff_20240314_001203.jpg","path":null,"size":40.41,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight-3_LiftOff_20240314_001203.jpg","path":null,"size":6.93,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":506.68,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_3_Lift_Off_20240314_001203_db0985992e.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/288","createdAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:16.722Z","updatedAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:16.722Z","documentId":"a2ft1341rlyizddef060svra","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":555,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX was founded in 2002 to expand access to outer space. Not just for government or traditional satellite operators, but for new participants around the globe. Today, we’re flying at an unprecedented pace as the world’s most active launch services provider. SpaceX is safely and reliably launching astronauts, satellites, and other payloads on missions benefiting life on Earth and preparing humanity for our ultimate goal: to explore other planets in our solar system and beyond.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":556,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is paramount to making that sci-fi future, along with a growing number of U.S. national priorities, a reality. It is the largest and most powerful space transportation system ever developed, and its fully and rapidly reusable design will exponentially increase humanity’s ability to access and utilize outer space. Full reusability has been an elusive goal throughout the history of spaceflight, piling innumerable technical challenges on what is already the most difficult engineering pursuit in human existence. It is rocket science, on ludicrous mode. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":557,"heading":null,"paragraph":"<a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-test\" target=\"_\"><b><u>Every flight</a></b></u> of <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2\" target=\"_\"><b><u>Starship</a></b></u> has made <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-3\" target=\"_\"><b><u>tremendous progress</a></b></u> and accomplished <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-4\" target=\"_\"><b><u>increasingly difficult test objectives</a></b></u>, making the entire system more capable and more reliable. Our approach of putting flight hardware in the flight environment as often as possible maximizes the pace at which we can learn recursively and operationalize the system. This is the same approach that unlocked reuse on our Falcon fleet of rockets and made SpaceX the leading launch provider in the world today. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":558,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To do this and do it rapidly enough to meet commitments to national priorities like NASA’s Artemis program, Starships need to fly. The more we fly safely, the faster we learn; the faster we learn, the sooner we realize full and rapid rocket reuse. Unfortunately, we continue to be stuck in a reality where it takes longer to do the government paperwork to license a rocket launch than it does to design and build the actual hardware. This should never happen and directly threatens America’s position as the leader in space.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":571,"heading":"FLIGHT 5","paragraph":"The Starship and Super Heavy vehicles for Flight 5 have been ready to launch since the first week of August. The flight test will include our most ambitious objective yet: attempt to return the Super Heavy booster to the launch site and catch it in mid-air. ","listItems":[],"image":{"id":75,"caption":"<a href=\"https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1806444825979543725/video/1\" target=\"_\"><b>Returning the booster after launch is a core capability to Starship becoming rapidly and reliably reusable</a></b>","style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":5149,"name":"vlcsnap-2024-08-22-15h06m31s191.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442.png","hash":"large_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442","mime":"image/png","name":"large_vlcsnap-2024-08-22-15h06m31s191.png","path":null,"size":775.97,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442.png","hash":"small_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442","mime":"image/png","name":"small_vlcsnap-2024-08-22-15h06m31s191.png","path":null,"size":225.75,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442.png","hash":"medium_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_vlcsnap-2024-08-22-15h06m31s191.png","path":null,"size":470.36,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442.png","hash":"thumbnail_vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_vlcsnap-2024-08-22-15h06m31s191.png","path":null,"size":66.1,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":2164.89,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/vlcsnap_2024_08_22_15h06m31s191_10dd6dd442.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/288","createdAt":"2024-09-08T21:55:40.031Z","updatedAt":"2024-09-08T21:55:40.031Z","documentId":"zpgpq4nt31p7fyr9peirfvny","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":559,"heading":null,"paragraph":"This will be a singularly novel operation in the history of rocketry. SpaceX engineers have spent years preparing and months testing for the booster catch attempt, with technicians pouring tens of thousands of hours into building the infrastructure to maximize our chances for success. Every test comes with risk, especially those seeking to do something for the first time. SpaceX goes to the maximum extent possible on every flight to ensure that while we are accepting risk to our own hardware, we accept no compromises when it comes to ensuring public safety. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":560,"heading":null,"paragraph":"It's understandable that such a unique operation would require additional time to analyze from a licensing perspective. Unfortunately, instead of focusing resources on critical safety analysis and collaborating on rational safeguards to protect both the public and the environment, the licensing process has been repeatedly derailed by issues ranging from the frivolous to the patently absurd. At times, these roadblocks have been driven by false and misleading reporting, built on bad-faith hysterics from online detractors or special interest groups who have presented poorly constructed science as fact.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":561,"heading":null,"paragraph":"We recently received a launch license date estimate of late November from the FAA, the government agency responsible for licensing Starship flight tests. This is a more than two-month delay to the previously communicated date of mid-September. This delay was not based on a new safety concern, but instead driven by superfluous environmental analysis. The four open environmental issues are illustrative of the difficulties launch companies face in the current regulatory environment for launch and reentry licensing.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":572,"heading":"STEEL AND WATER","paragraph":"Starship’s water-cooled steel flame deflector has been the target of <a href=\"https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1823080774012481862\" target=\"_\"><b><u>false reporting</a></b></u>, wrongly alleging that it pollutes the environment or has operated completely independent of regulation. This narrative omits fundamental facts that have either been ignored or intentionally misinterpreted.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":76,"caption":null,"style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":3727,"name":"OLM_FullPressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180 (1).JPG","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57.JPG","hash":"large_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_OLM_FullPressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180 (1).JPG","path":null,"size":67.83,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57.JPG","hash":"small_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_OLM_FullPressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180 (1).JPG","path":null,"size":21.13,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57.JPG","hash":"medium_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_OLM_FullPressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180 (1).JPG","path":null,"size":40.98,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57.JPG","hash":"thumbnail_OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_OLM_FullPressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180 (1).JPG","path":null,"size":7.03,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57","ext":".JPG","mime":"image/jpeg","size":663.16,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/OLM_Full_Pressure_Water_Deluge_Test_202307280728232180_1_8ac578ec57.JPG","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/288","createdAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:20.818Z","updatedAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:20.818Z","documentId":"frgmv8ldeqwvunt9kky4kl32","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":562,"heading":null,"paragraph":"<u>At no time did SpaceX operate the deflector without a permit.</u> SpaceX was operating in good faith under a Multi-Sector General Permit to cover deluge operations under the supervision of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). SpaceX worked closely with TCEQ to incorporate numerous mitigation measures prior to its use, including the installation of retention basins, construction of protective curbing, plugging of outfalls during operations, and use of only potable (drinking) water that does not come into contact with any industrial processes. A permit number was assigned and made active in July 2023. TCEQ officials were physically present at the first testing of the deluge system and given the opportunity to observe operations around launch.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":563,"heading":null,"paragraph":"<u>The water-cooled steel flame deflector does not spray pollutants into the surrounding environment.</u> <b>Again, it uses literal drinking water.</b> Outflow water has been sampled after every use of the system and consistently shows negligible traces of any contaminants, and specifically, that all levels have remained below standards for all state permits that would authorize discharge. TCEQ, the FAA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluated the use of the system prior to its initial use, and during tests and launch, and determined it would not cause environmental harm.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":564,"heading":null,"paragraph":"When the EPA issued its Administrative Order in March 2024, it was done before seeking a basic understanding of the facts of the water-cooled steel flame deflector’s operation or acknowledgement that we were operating under the Texas Multi-Sector General Permit. After meeting with the EPA—during which the EPA stated their intent was not to stop testing, preparation, or launch operations—it was decided that SpaceX should apply for an individual discharge permit. Despite our previous permitting, which was done in coordination with TCEQ, and our operation having little to nothing in common with industrial waste discharges covered by individual permits, we applied for an individual permit in July 2024.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":565,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The subsequent fines levied on SpaceX by TCEQ and the EPA are entirely tied to disagreements over paperwork. We chose to settle so that we can focus our energy on completing the missions and commitments that we have made to the U.S. government, commercial customers, and ourselves. Paying fines is extremely disappointing when we fundamentally disagree with the allegations, and we are <b>supported by the fact that EPA has agreed that nothing about the operation of our flame deflector will need to change. Only the name of the permit has changed.</b>","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":573,"heading":"GOOD STEWARD","paragraph":"No launch site operates in a vacuum. As we have built up capacity to launch and developed new sites across the country, we have always been committed to public safety and mitigating impacts to the environment. At Starbase, we implement an extensive list of mitigations developed with federal and state agencies, many of which require year-round monitoring and frequent updates to regulators and consultation with independent biological experts. The list of measures we take just for operations in Texas is over two hundred items long, including constant monitoring and sampling of the short and long-term health of local flora and fauna. The narrative that we operate free of, or in defiance of, environmental regulation is demonstrably false.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":77,"caption":null,"style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":3746,"name":"Starbase_Sunrise_UpdadeSitePhotos_20240814_006731 (1).jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5272,"height":2966,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec.jpg","hash":"large_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Starbase_Sunrise_UpdadeSitePhotos_20240814_006731 (1).jpg","path":null,"size":92.81,"width":1000,"height":562},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec.jpg","hash":"small_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Starbase_Sunrise_UpdadeSitePhotos_20240814_006731 (1).jpg","path":null,"size":26.46,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec.jpg","hash":"medium_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Starbase_Sunrise_UpdadeSitePhotos_20240814_006731 (1).jpg","path":null,"size":55.09,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Starbase_Sunrise_UpdadeSitePhotos_20240814_006731 (1).jpg","path":null,"size":7.73,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":2735.01,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starbase_Sunrise_Updade_Site_Photos_20240814_006731_1_c7a5980cec.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/288","createdAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:23.715Z","updatedAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:23.715Z","documentId":"tdr6hj0fvfticm0b1vo3slq5","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":566,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Environmental regulations and mitigations serve a noble purpose, stemming from common-sense safeguards to enable progress while preventing undue impact to the environment. However, with the licensing process being drawn out for Flight 5, we find ourselves delayed for unreasonable and exasperating reasons.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":567,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On Starship’s fourth flight, the top of the Super Heavy booster, commonly known as the hot-stage, was jettisoned to splash down on its own in the Gulf of Mexico. The hot-stage plays an important part in protecting the booster during separation from Starship’s upper stage before detaching during the booster’s return flight. This operation was analyzed thoroughly ahead of Starship’s fourth flight, specifically focused on any potential impact to protected marine species. Given the distribution of marine animals in the specific landing area and comparatively small size of the hot-stage, the probability of a direct impact is essentially zero. This is something previously determined as standard practice by the FAA and the National Marine Fisheries Service for the launch industry at large, which disposes of rocket stages and other hardware in the ocean on every single launch, except of course, for our own Falcon rockets which land and are reused. The only proposed modification for Starship’s fifth flight is a marginal change in the splashdown location of the hot-stage which produces no increase in likelihood for impacting marine life. Despite this, the FAA leadership approved a 60-day consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Furthermore, the mechanics of these types of consultations outline that any new questions raised during that time can reset the 60-day counter, over and over again. This single issue, which was already exhaustively analyzed, could indefinitely delay launch without addressing any plausible impact to the environment.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":568,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Another unique aspect to Starship’s fifth flight and a future return and catch of the Super Heavy booster will be the audible sonic booms in the area around the return location. <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/updates/#starship-sonic-boom\"_\"><b><u>As we’ve previously noted</a></b></u>, the general impact to those in the surrounding area of a sonic boom is the brief thunder-like noise. The FAA, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, evaluated sonic booms from the landing of the Super Heavy and found no significant impacts to the environment. Although animals exposed to the sonic booms may be briefly startled, numerous prior studies have shown sonic booms of varying intensity have no detrimental effect on wildlife. Despite this documented evidence, the FAA leadership approved an additional 60-day consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife as a slightly larger area could experience a sonic boom. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":574,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Lastly, the area around Starbase is well known as being host to various protected birds. SpaceX already has extensive mitigations in place and has been conducting biological monitoring for birds near Starbase for nearly 10 years. The protocol for the monitoring was developed with U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, and is conducted by professional, qualified, independent biologists. To date, the monitoring has not shown any population-level impacts to monitored bird populations, <a href=\"https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1811120996914757818\"_\"><b><u>despite unsubstantiated claims to the contrary that the authors themselves later amended</a></b></u>. Even though Starship’s fifth flight will take place outside of nesting season, SpaceX is still implementing additional mitigations and monitoring to minimize impacts to wildlife, including infrared drone surveillance pre- and post-launch to track nesting presence. We are also working with USFWS experts to assess deploying special protection measures prior to launches during bird nesting season.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":78,"caption":null,"style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":5147,"name":"Turtles052622DSC00466.JPG","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":7852,"height":5010,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173.JPG","hash":"large_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Turtles052622DSC00466.JPG","path":null,"size":73.85,"width":1000,"height":638},"small":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173.JPG","hash":"small_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Turtles052622DSC00466.JPG","path":null,"size":26.59,"width":500,"height":319},"medium":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173.JPG","hash":"medium_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Turtles052622DSC00466.JPG","path":null,"size":48,"width":750,"height":479},"thumbnail":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173.JPG","hash":"thumbnail_Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Turtles052622DSC00466.JPG","path":null,"size":9.53,"width":244,"height":156}},"hash":"Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173","ext":".JPG","mime":"image/jpeg","size":3919.93,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Turtles052622_DSC_00466_b6e5de0173.JPG","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/288","createdAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:26.918Z","updatedAt":"2024-09-08T21:54:26.918Z","documentId":"qfe6wm4qhnvtgb1n7bbr3g94","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":569,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX is committed to minimizing impact and enhancing the surrounding environment where possible. One of our proudest partnerships in South Texas is with Sea Turtle Inc, a local nonprofit dedicated to sea turtle conservation. SpaceX assists with finding and transporting injured sea turtles to their facilities for treatment. SpaceX has also officially adopted Boca Chica Beach through the Texas General Lands Office Adopt a Beach Program, with the responsibility of picking up litter and promoting a litter-free environment. SpaceX sponsors and participates in quarterly beach cleanups as well as quarterly State Highway 4 cleanups. SpaceX has removed hundreds of pounds of trash from the beach and State Highway 4 over the last several years. SpaceX also fosters environmental education at the local level by hosting school tours as well as an Annual Environmental Education Day with Texas Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Sea Turtle Inc.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":575,"heading":"TO FLY","paragraph":"Despite a small, but vocal, minority of detractors trying to game the regulatory system to obstruct and delay the development of Starship, SpaceX remains committed to the mission at hand. Our thousands of employees work tirelessly because they believe that unlimited opportunities and tangible benefits for life on Earth are within reach if humanity can fundamentally advance its ability to access space. This is why we’re committed to continually pushing the boundaries of spaceflight, with a relentless focus on safety and reliability.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":79,"caption":null,"style":"margin: auto;","image":{"id":4982,"name":"Mars City.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1652,"height":917,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c.png","hash":"large_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Mars City.png","path":null,"size":907.15,"width":1000,"height":555},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c.png","hash":"small_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Mars City.png","path":null,"size":240.85,"width":500,"height":278},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c.png","hash":"medium_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Mars City.png","path":null,"size":516.32,"width":750,"height":416},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c.png","hash":"thumbnail_Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Mars City.png","path":null,"size":66.78,"width":245,"height":136}},"hash":"Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":519.39,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Mars_City_f1b8e54d3c.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/288","createdAt":"2024-09-08T21:55:35.020Z","updatedAt":"2024-09-08T21:55:35.020Z","documentId":"fvfyft0d4t65c17pthn98lzf","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":570,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Because life <u>will</u> be multiplanetary, and will be made possible by the farsighted strides we take today.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":169,"documentId":"tcmzksqrov9zemq8myle1y8v","updateId":"falcon-9-returns-to-flight","date":"2024-07-25","title":"Falcon 9 Returns to Flight","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":5082,"name":"Starlink G9-3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2132,"height":1200,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4.jpg","hash":"large_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Starlink G9-3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2.jpg","path":null,"size":14.19,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4.jpg","hash":"small_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Starlink G9-3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2.jpg","path":null,"size":4.31,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4.jpg","hash":"medium_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Starlink G9-3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2.jpg","path":null,"size":8.09,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Starlink G9-3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2.jpg","path":null,"size":1.75,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":96.07,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starlink_G9_3_San_Miq_3043_Desktop_v2_eb5f1612d4.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/260","createdAt":"2024-07-25T21:39:04.300Z","updatedAt":"2024-07-25T21:39:04.300Z","documentId":"hz1yjcjs5ttyuqruyrzf28op","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":576,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX submitted its mishap report to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding  <a href=\" https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-9-3\" target=\"_\"><strong>Falcon 9’s launch anomaly on July 11, 2024</strong></a>. SpaceX’s investigation team, with oversight from the FAA, was able to identify the most probable cause of the mishap and associated corrective actions to ensure the success of future missions. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":577,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Post-flight data reviews confirmed Falcon 9’s first stage booster performed nominally through ascent, stage separation, and a successful droneship landing. During the first burn of Falcon 9’s second stage engine, a liquid oxygen leak developed within the insulation around the upper stage engine. The cause of the leak was identified as a crack in a sense line for a pressure sensor attached to the vehicle’s oxygen system. This line cracked due to fatigue caused by high loading from engine vibration and looseness in the clamp that normally constrains the line. Despite the leak, the second stage engine continued to operate through the duration of its first burn, and completed its engine shutdown, where it entered the coast phase of the mission in the intended elliptical parking orbit. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":578,"heading":null,"paragraph":"A second burn of the upper stage engine was planned to circularize the orbit ahead of satellite deployment. However, the liquid oxygen leak on the upper stage led to the excessive cooling of engine components, most importantly those associated with delivery of ignition fluid to the engine. As a result, the engine experienced a hard start rather than a controlled burn, which damaged the engine hardware and caused the upper stage to subsequently lose attitude control. Even so, the second stage continued to operate as designed, deploying the Starlink satellites and successfully completing stage passivation, a process of venting down stored energy on the stage, which occurs at the conclusion of every Falcon mission.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":579,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following deployment, the Starlink team made contact with 10 of the satellites to send early burn commands in an attempt to raise their altitude. Unfortunately, the satellites were in an enormously high-drag environment with a very low perigee of only 135 km above the Earth. As a result, all 20 Starlink satellites from this launch re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere. By design, Starlink satellites fully demise upon reentry, posing no threat to public safety. To-date, no debris has been reported after the successful deorbit of Starlink satellites.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":580,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX engineering teams have performed a comprehensive and thorough review of all SpaceX vehicles and ground systems to ensure we are putting our best foot forward as we return to flight. For near term Falcon launches, the failed sense line and sensor on the second stage engine will be removed. The sensor is not used by the flight safety system and can be covered by alternate sensors already present on the engine. The design change has been tested at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas, with enhanced qualification analysis and oversight by the FAA and involvement from the SpaceX investigation team. An additional qualification review, inspection, and scrub of all sense lines and clamps on the active booster fleet led to a proactive replacement in select locations. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":581,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Safety and reliability are at the core of SpaceX’s operations. It would not have been possible to achieve our current cadence without this focus, and thanks to the pace we’ve been able to launch, we’re able to gather unprecedented levels of flight data and are poised to rapidly return to flight, safely and with increased reliability. Our missions are of critical importance – safely carrying astronauts, customer payloads, and thousands of Starlink satellites to orbit – and they rely on the Falcon family of rockets being one of the most reliable in the world. We thank the FAA and our customers for their ongoing work and support.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":170,"documentId":"iptah5v19h5dvnukgml9i9uj","updateId":"flight-2-report","date":"2024-02-26","title":"BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF STARSHIP’S SECOND FLIGHT TEST","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4289,"name":"Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC04675 (2).jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3485,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC04675 (2).jpg","path":null,"size":26.07,"width":1000,"height":620},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC04675 (2).jpg","path":null,"size":9.29,"width":500,"height":310},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC04675 (2).jpg","path":null,"size":16.93,"width":750,"height":465},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC04675 (2).jpg","path":null,"size":3.27,"width":245,"height":152}},"hash":"Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":170.65,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_Test_2_Launch_Checkpoint_20231118_DSC_04675_2_723d9ca7e0.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/105/158","createdAt":"2024-02-22T18:15:18.554Z","updatedAt":"2024-02-22T18:15:18.554Z","documentId":"cwn1as0wdwsbtnj4bd2yssen","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":582,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The second flight test of Starship and Super Heavy achieved a number of important milestones as we continue to advance the capabilities of the most powerful launch system ever developed. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":583,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On November 18, 2023, Starship successfully lifted off at 7:02 a.m. CT from Starbase in Texas. All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster started up successfully and, for the first time, completed a full-duration burn during ascent. Starship then executed a successful hot-stage separation, the first time this technique has been done successfully with a vehicle of this size.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":584,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following stage separation, Super Heavy initiated its boostback burn, which sends commands to 13 of the vehicle’s 33 Raptor engines to propel the rocket toward its intended landing location. During this burn, several engines began shutting down before one engine failed energetically, quickly cascading to a rapid unscheduled disassembly (RUD) of the booster. The vehicle breakup occurred more than three and a half minutes into the flight at an altitude of ~90 km over the Gulf of Mexico.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":585,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most likely root cause for the booster RUD was determined to be filter blockage where liquid oxygen is supplied to the engines, leading to a loss of inlet pressure in engine oxidizer turbopumps that eventually resulted in one engine failing in a way that resulted in loss of the vehicle. SpaceX has since implemented hardware changes inside future booster oxidizer tanks to improve propellant filtration capabilities and refined operations to increase reliability.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":586,"heading":null,"paragraph":"At vehicle separation, Starship’s upper stage successfully lit all six Raptor engines and flew a normal ascent until approximately seven minutes into the flight, when a planned vent of excess liquid oxygen propellant began. Additional propellant had been loaded on the spacecraft before launch in order to gather data representative of future payload deploy missions and needed to be disposed of prior to reentry to meet required propellant mass targets at splashdown. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":587,"heading":null,"paragraph":"A leak in the aft section of the spacecraft that developed when the liquid oxygen vent was initiated resulted in a combustion event and subsequent fires that led to a loss of communication between the spacecraft’s flight computers. This resulted in a commanded shut down of all six engines prior to completion of the ascent burn, followed by the Autonomous Flight Safety System detecting a mission rule violation and activating the flight termination system, leading to vehicle breakup. The flight test’s conclusion came when the spacecraft was as at an altitude of ~150 km and a velocity of ~24,000 km/h, becoming the first Starship to reach outer space.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":588,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX has implemented hardware changes on upcoming Starship vehicles to improve leak reduction, fire protection, and refined operations associated with the propellant vent to increase reliability. The previously planned move from a hydraulic steering system for the vehicle’s Raptor engines to an entirely electric system also removes potential sources of flammability.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":589,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The water-cooled flame deflector and other pad upgrades made after Starship’s first flight test performed as expected, requiring minimal post-launch work to be ready for vehicle tests and the next integrated flight test. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":590,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following the flight test, SpaceX led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA, and the National Transportation Safety Board.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":591,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Upgrades derived from the flight test will debut on the next Starship and Super Heavy vehicles to launch from Starbase on Flight 3. SpaceX is also implementing planned performance upgrades, including the debut of a new electronic Thrust Vector Control system for Starship’s upper stage Raptor engines and improving the speed of propellant loading operations prior to launch.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":592,"heading":null,"paragraph":"More Starships are ready to fly, putting flight hardware in a flight environment to learn as quickly as possible. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, or Martian landing sites.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":222,"documentId":"savmzo4lnwpz2hg7owfcvw0w","updateId":"first-starship-interplanetary-mission","date":"2026-05-21","title":"FIRST STARSHIP INTERPLANETARY HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT MISSION ","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":7114,"name":"Chun_Fram2.jpeg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":4032,"height":3024,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpeg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889.jpeg","hash":"large_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Chun_Fram2.jpeg","path":null,"size":120.44,"width":1000,"height":750,"sizeInBytes":120436},"small":{"ext":".jpeg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889.jpeg","hash":"small_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Chun_Fram2.jpeg","path":null,"size":31.74,"width":500,"height":375,"sizeInBytes":31743},"medium":{"ext":".jpeg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889.jpeg","hash":"medium_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Chun_Fram2.jpeg","path":null,"size":67.32,"width":750,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":67317},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpeg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889.jpeg","hash":"thumbnail_Chun_Fram2_35858b0889","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Chun_Fram2.jpeg","path":null,"size":6.7,"width":208,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":6702}},"hash":"Chun_Fram2_35858b0889","ext":".jpeg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1741.14,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Chun_Fram2_35858b0889.jpeg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/818","createdAt":"2026-05-21T20:26:59.422Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-21T20:26:59.422Z","documentId":"jnq89u46lemma043943reo6b","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-21T20:26:59.423Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1251,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Chun Wang, Mission Commander of <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/launches/fram2\" target=\"_\"><b>Fram2</b></a>, the first human spaceflight mission to fly over Earth’s poles, announced today he will fly aboard Starship’s first human spaceflight interplanetary missions to Mars! The two-year mission will explore outside the Earth-Moon system before flying-by the Red Planet and returning to Earth. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":{"id":10,"videoType":"host","videoId":null,"caption":null,"style":null,"posterImage":{"id":7116,"name":"Chun_Bouvet_3.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1080,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc.jpg","hash":"large_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Chun_Bouvet_3.jpg","path":null,"size":102.39,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":102387},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc.jpg","hash":"small_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Chun_Bouvet_3.jpg","path":null,"size":28.69,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":28694},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc.jpg","hash":"medium_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Chun_Bouvet_3.jpg","path":null,"size":61.02,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":61024},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Chun_Bouvet_3.jpg","path":null,"size":7.87,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":7865}},"hash":"Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":288.74,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Chun_Bouvet_3_87812e88cc.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/818","createdAt":"2026-05-21T20:55:13.338Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-21T20:55:13.338Z","documentId":"u76l6n8q0ofwsu1359mqzzlb","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-21T20:55:13.339Z"},"hostedVideo":{"id":7115,"name":"Chun_Announcement_Video_20260513_v2a_HD.mp4","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":null,"height":null,"formats":null,"hash":"Chun_Announcement_Video_20260513_v2a_HD_8aef31bd76","ext":".mp4","mime":"video/mp4","size":201766.11,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Chun_Announcement_Video_20260513_v2a_HD_8aef31bd76.mp4","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/818","createdAt":"2026-05-21T20:30:46.745Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-21T20:30:46.745Z","documentId":"u16jexprw0qwlpud49fwdum5","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-21T20:30:46.746Z"}},"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1248,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Prior to this interplanetary mission, Chun will join Dennis and Akiko Tito on the first <a href=\"https://www.spacex.com/updates#starship-second-moon-flight\" target=\"_\"><b>planned Starship commercial human spaceflight around the Moon</str</b></a>. The week-long circumlunar fly-by mission will help advance Starship’s systems for deep-space, long-duration missions and is planned to fly within 200 km of the Moon’s surface. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1249,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Since May 2020, SpaceX has safely flown 78 crewmembers from 20 countries to and from space across 20 missions aboard Dragon, including seven commercial and private astronaut missions that have greatly expanded access to space in low-Earth orbit.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1250,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship will now expand that access further – to the Moon and Mars with two upcoming commercial human spaceflight missions. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":226,"documentId":"vckpbzfkfl19l0vkutrtyhi7","updateId":"orbital-starship","date":"2026-09-15","title":"Starship to Orbit","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":7502,"name":"Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927.jpg","path":null,"size":68.19,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":68187},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927.jpg","path":null,"size":21.95,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":21947},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927.jpg","path":null,"size":41.98,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":41982},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927.jpg","path":null,"size":6.8,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":6801}},"hash":"Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":514.56,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_13_Onboards_07272601927_109bc83623.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/874","createdAt":"2026-09-15T14:41:47.807Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-15T14:41:47.807Z","documentId":"uzkkweezajxr2gubwxztmabx","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-09-15T14:41:47.808Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1283,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is preparing to move into an exciting new phase: orbital flight. Starting with Flight 14, Starship will begin flying orbital missions that will enable it to begin delivering Starlink V3 satellites and other payloads to space, and conduct new flight tests like the first orbital propellant transfer.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1293,"heading":"What is orbit?","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":{"id":12,"videoType":"host","videoId":null,"caption":null,"style":null,"posterImage":{"id":7500,"name":"HowToOrbit.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1080,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5.png","hash":"large_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5","mime":"image/png","name":"large_HowToOrbit.png","path":null,"size":20.26,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":20261},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5.png","hash":"small_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5","mime":"image/png","name":"small_HowToOrbit.png","path":null,"size":7.73,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":7730},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5.png","hash":"medium_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_HowToOrbit.png","path":null,"size":13.48,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":13476},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5.png","hash":"thumbnail_How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_HowToOrbit.png","path":null,"size":2.84,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":2842}},"hash":"How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":10.11,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/How_To_Orbit_fbc1f245b5.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/874","createdAt":"2026-09-15T14:40:59.914Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-15T14:40:59.914Z","documentId":"kevlkevllhm1xmcvw4ca8k6r","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-09-15T14:40:59.915Z"},"hostedVideo":{"id":7499,"name":"HowToOrbit.mp4","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":null,"height":null,"formats":null,"hash":"How_To_Orbit_8db623fe72","ext":".mp4","mime":"video/mp4","size":5774.66,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/How_To_Orbit_8db623fe72.mp4","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/874","createdAt":"2026-09-15T14:40:57.837Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-15T14:40:57.837Z","documentId":"bmcmw8pdpq13y5d1hz9jw06u","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-09-15T14:40:57.837Z"}},"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1284,"heading":null,"paragraph":"A quick explainer: getting to (and staying in) orbit around a planet is less about the height you reach and more about how much speed you hold. Once an object climbs high enough to clear any obstructions, it has to move sideways fast enough—about 17,500 mph in low-Earth orbit—so that even as gravity pulls it down, the Earth curves away beneath the object at the same rate. A useful way to visualize the concept involves firing a cannonball. The more power you fire it with, the longer it will travel before gravity pulls it down in an arc to the ground. Fire it with enough power and the ground keeps dropping out from under the ball. That resulting endless freefall is being in orbit. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1285,"heading":null,"paragraph":"For the first 13 Starship flight tests, we’ve intentionally placed the upper stage on a passively safe suborbital trajectory. This effectively meant that when Starship’s engines turned off at the end of its ascent burn, it did not have the forward velocity necessary to achieve orbit. These trajectories are considered “passively safe” because even if control over the spacecraft was completely lost, it was already on a path to reenter the atmosphere and splash down in a pre-determined location. This mission design allowed us to gather flight data about hardware in a real flight environment while maximizing public safety. For Starship’s initial orbital flights, it will still be placed initially on a passively safe suborbital trajectory and require a second burn to achieve orbit. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1286,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is unique in the history of upper stages because it is designed to be fully reusable, which means it is built to survive the rigors of reentry intact. In fact, multiple Starship vehicles have <a href= https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1961165064666312956?s=20 target=\"_\"><b>survived reentry</a></b> despite multiple flight experiments that removed tiles to mimic failures of the heatshield and conducted maneuvers designed to stress the ultimate capabilities of the vehicle’s structure. It is because of Starship’s large size and robustness to making it through atmospheric reentry that we took a deliberate suborbital approach with flight testing before transitioning to orbital flights. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1292,"heading":"Initial orbit design ","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":{"id":151,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7501,"name":"Orbital-Aborts_V3.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":9115,"height":4671,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5.png","hash":"large_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5","mime":"image/png","name":"large_Orbital-Aborts_V3.png","path":null,"size":35.25,"width":1000,"height":512,"sizeInBytes":35254},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5.png","hash":"small_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Orbital-Aborts_V3.png","path":null,"size":12.66,"width":500,"height":256,"sizeInBytes":12656},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5.png","hash":"medium_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Orbital-Aborts_V3.png","path":null,"size":23.5,"width":750,"height":384,"sizeInBytes":23496},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5.png","hash":"thumbnail_Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Orbital-Aborts_V3.png","path":null,"size":4.86,"width":245,"height":126,"sizeInBytes":4855}},"hash":"Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":129.72,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Orbital_Aborts_V3_3ae6b3cda5.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/874","createdAt":"2026-09-15T14:41:06.023Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-15T14:41:06.023Z","documentId":"hhhdzbx9bxj6i6un3a1ga0k1","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-09-15T14:41:06.023Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1287,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As Starship flies its initial orbital missions, flight profiles are being designed with opportunities to remain in passively safe suborbital trajectories or safely deorbit at multiple pre-determined areas over the ocean. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1288,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After the initial ascent burn, Starship will be on the same passively safe suborbital trajectory to the Indian Ocean as its initial flight tests. This will enable flight controllers to assess the health of the vehicle during a coast phase and make the determination to either proceed to orbit or let Starship reenter and splash down in the Indian Ocean. Assuming the vehicle is healthy, Starship will execute a circularization burn using a single Raptor sea level engine that will place the vehicle in orbit around Earth. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1289,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As Starship orbits the planet, flight controllers will continuously monitor key systems on the vehicle to inform decisions to either continue the mission or trigger an early water landing. Initial abort criteria will be intentionally conservative and monitor functional systems, including Raptor engine health; signs of any common mode failures like loss of power or comms; the health of flight computers and navigation sensors; the structural integrity of Starship’s propellant tanks and feedlines; the ability to maintain tank pressure control; and the functionality of Starship’s attitude control. More than 500 physical sensors are installed to measure temperature, pressure, acceleration, and more across the vehicle, along with many components inside Starship providing telemetry on their own health without dedicated sensors. Together, these thousands of data points provide clear insight into Starship’s status throughout the flight.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1290,"heading":null,"paragraph":"At the conclusion of a nominal mission, Starship will execute a deorbit burn using a single Raptor sea level engine to place it on a path for reentry and splashdown in a pre-determined location in the ocean or a return to launch site for catch and reuse.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1291,"heading":"Unlocking the future","paragraph":"Starship is designed to change how humanity accesses and utilizes outer space, and orbital operations are a requirement to make that possible. As we transition into a new, exciting phase of development, we’re taking all of the necessary steps to ensure we’re safeguarding the public while we develop a vehicle with unmatched capabilities. The outcome will be a spacecraft that will ultimately deploy hundreds of thousands of satellites, return humans to the Moon to build a permanent presence, and eventually send megatons of cargo and millions of people to space to make life multiplanetary.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":171,"documentId":"hj9p95estkpcw4e1vsj5hiox","updateId":"starship-upgrades","date":"2023-09-08","title":"UPGRADES AHEAD OF STARSHIP’S SECOND FLIGHT TEST","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4150,"name":"Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","alternativeText":"Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","caption":"Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","width":8640,"height":5595,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e.JPG","hash":"large_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","path":null,"size":68.69,"width":1000,"height":647},"small":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e.JPG","hash":"small_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","path":null,"size":24.6,"width":500,"height":324},"medium":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e.JPG","hash":"medium_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","path":null,"size":44.63,"width":750,"height":485},"thumbnail":{"ext":".JPG","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e.JPG","hash":"thumbnail_Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Rocket_Garden_0828232579.JPG","path":null,"size":8.64,"width":241,"height":156}},"hash":"Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e","ext":".JPG","mime":"image/jpeg","size":4637.63,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Rocket_Garden_0828232579_456787510e.JPG","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/142","createdAt":"2023-09-05T15:19:29.751Z","updatedAt":"2023-09-05T15:19:29.751Z","documentId":"p4wgptu9ghtvf86sxxbww3lp","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":593,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy was a critical step in advancing the capabilities of the most powerful launch system ever developed. Starship’s first flight test provided numerous lessons learned that are directly contributing to several upgrades being made to both the vehicle and ground infrastructure to improve the probability of success on future Starship flights. This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX’s major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink. SpaceX has led the investigation efforts following the flight with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":594,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship and Super Heavy successfully lifted off for the first time on April 20, 2023 at 8:33 a.m. CT (13:33:09 UTC) from the orbital launch pad at Starbase in Texas. Starship climbed to a maximum altitude of ~39 km (24 mi) over the Gulf of Mexico. During ascent, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, which eventually severed connection with the vehicle’s primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to the majority of booster engines and, ultimately, control of the vehicle. SpaceX has since implemented leak mitigations and improved testing on both engine and booster hardware. As an additional corrective action, SpaceX has significantly expanded Super Heavy’s pre-existing fire suppression system in order to mitigate against future engine bay fires.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":595,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) automatically issued a destruct command, which fired all detonators as expected, after the vehicle deviated from the expected trajectory, lost altitude and began to tumble. After an unexpected delay following AFSS activation, Starship ultimately broke up 237.474 seconds after engine ignition. SpaceX has enhanced and requalified the AFSS to improve system reliability.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":596,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX is also implementing a full suite of system performance upgrades unrelated to any issues observed during the first flight test. For example, SpaceX has built and tested a hot-stage separation system, in which Starship’s second stage engines will ignite to push the ship away from the booster. Additionally, SpaceX has engineered a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines. Using fully electric motors, the new system has fewer potential points of failure and is significantly more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic systems. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":597,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX also made significant upgrades to the orbital launch mount and pad system in order to prevent a recurrence of the pad foundation failure observed during the first flight test. These upgrades include significant reinforcements to the pad foundation and the addition of a flame deflector, which SpaceX has successfully tested multiple times. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":598,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Testing development flight hardware in a flight environment is what enables our teams to quickly learn and execute design changes and hardware upgrades to improve the probability of success in the future. We learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems during Starship’s first flight test. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, or Martian landing sites.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":172,"documentId":"c891wmaiuzfvzzvsvdxonuno","updateId":"dragon-recovery-to-return-to-the-us-west-coast","date":"2024-07-26","title":"DRAGON RECOVERY TO RETURN TO THE U.S. WEST COAST","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":5083,"name":"Dragon_WestCoastRecovery.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5568,"height":3712,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d.jpg","hash":"large_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Dragon_WestCoastRecovery.jpg","path":null,"size":31.82,"width":1000,"height":667},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d.jpg","hash":"small_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Dragon_WestCoastRecovery.jpg","path":null,"size":11.01,"width":500,"height":333},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d.jpg","hash":"medium_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Dragon_WestCoastRecovery.jpg","path":null,"size":20.49,"width":750,"height":500},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Dragon_WestCoastRecovery.jpg","path":null,"size":3.65,"width":234,"height":156}},"hash":"Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":751.95,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Dragon_West_Coast_Recovery_8afdffe48d.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/262","createdAt":"2024-07-26T21:52:28.818Z","updatedAt":"2024-07-26T21:52:28.818Z","documentId":"ps4jqypczpregdf2f18jk4ti","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":599,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is designed to fly both astronauts and cargo to and from Earth’s orbit, advancing humanity’s ability to live and work in space on the road to making life multiplanetary. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":600,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In June 2010, Dragon became the first privately-developed spacecraft in history to launch, orbit Earth, reenter, and be recovered back on Earth. This milestone was followed by Dragon becoming the first commercial vehicle to visit the International Space Station in May 2012 under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program – an incredibly successful public-private partnership that has led to regular commercial cargo resupply missions to the space station through NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. In 2020, NASA certified Dragon for human spaceflight after the historic launch of NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the space station.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":601,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Dragon’s now 45 missions to orbit have helped ensure the continued operation of the space station – delivering critical supplies, scientific research, and astronauts to the orbiting laboratory – while also creating greater opportunities for humanity to explore Earth’s orbit.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":602,"heading":"Dragon Design and Current Recovery Operations","paragraph":"The Dragon spacecraft is comprised of two parts: a pressurized section that safely flies crew and cargo, and an unpressurized expendable section called the trunk, which contains hardware used for spacecraft power and cooling while on-orbit. On cargo missions, the trunk can also deliver or dispose of unpressurized hardware from the International Space Station, depending on mission needs. When Dragon returns to Earth, the trunk is jettisoned prior to the spacecraft safely splashing down.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":603,"heading":null,"paragraph":"During Dragon’s first 21 missions, the trunk remained attached to the vehicle’s pressurized section until after the deorbit burn was completed. Shortly before the spacecraft began reentering the atmosphere, the trunk was jettisoned to ensure it safely splashed down in unpopulated areas in the Pacific Ocean. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":604,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After seven years of successful recovery operations on the U.S. West Coast, Dragon recovery operations moved to the East Coast in 2019, enabling teams to unpack and deliver critical cargo to NASA teams in Florida more efficiently and transport crews more quickly to Kennedy Space Center. Additionally, the proximity of the new splashdown locations to SpaceX’s Dragon processing facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida allowed SpaceX teams to recover and refurbish Dragon spacecraft at a faster rate to support a rapidly growing Dragon manifest after the completion of NASA’s Demo-2 mission in August 2020.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":605,"heading":null,"paragraph":"This shift required SpaceX to develop what has become our current Dragon recovery operations, first implemented during the Demo-1 and CRS-21 missions. Today, Dragon’s trunk is jettisoned prior to the vehicle’s deorbit burn while still in orbit, passively reentering and breaking up in the Earth’s atmosphere in the days to months that follow. As the trunk does not have any maneuvering capabilities of its own after separation, the location and precise timing of the trunk’s reentry cannot be predicted and is dependent upon solar activity. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":606,"heading":null,"paragraph":"When developing Dragon’s current reentry operations, SpaceX and NASA engineering teams used industry-standard models to understand the trunk’s breakup characteristics. These models predicted that the trunk would fully burn up due to the high temperatures created by air resistance during high-speed reentries into Earth’s atmosphere, leaving no debris. The results of these models was a determining factor in our decision to passively deorbit the trunk and enable Dragon splashdowns off the coast of Florida. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":607,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In 2022, however, trunk debris from NASA’s Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station was discovered in Australia, indicating the industry models were not fully accurate with regards to large, composite structures such as Dragon’s trunk. SpaceX and NASA reviewed the data and performed additional materials testing to better understand the trunk’s break-up characteristics and improve the respective modeling. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":608,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To date, the majority of trunk debris has reentered over unpopulated ocean areas. In the last six months, however, SpaceX became aware of three new cases where trunk debris was found on land; SpaceX is unaware of any structure damage or injuries caused by these debris. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":609,"heading":"Looking Ahead ","paragraph":"SpaceX is committed to safe spaceflight operations and public safety; it is at the core of SpaceX’s operations. After drawing new conclusions based on the data, we made two immediate changes while continuing to find a longer-term solution. First, in agreement with NASA, we paused trunk payload disposal during return operations; an empty trunk has a higher probability of fully burning up during reentry than one with payloads. Next, SpaceX implemented material changes to certain components of Dragon’s trunk to further improve the probability of it burning up during reentry.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":610,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Simultaneously, SpaceX engineering teams explored a wide variety of solutions to fully eliminate the risk of trunk debris landing on populated areas without increasing risk to Dragon crew or the public. Some of the options studied included a complete trunk redesign; a dedicated propulsion and guidance system to allow the trunk to deorbit itself; jettisoning the trunk at different times in the deorbit burn; and more.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":611,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After careful review and consideration of all potential solutions – coupled with the new knowledge about the standard industry models and that Dragon trunks do not fully burn-up during reentry – SpaceX teams concluded the most effective path forward is to return to West Coast recovery operations.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":612,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To accomplish this, SpaceX will implement a software change that will have Dragon execute its deorbit burn before jettisoning the trunk, similar to our first 21 Dragon recoveries. Moving trunk separation after the deorbit burn places the trunk on a known reentry trajectory, with the trunk safely splashing down uprange of the Dragon spacecraft off the coast of California. SpaceX is working with NASA, the FAA, and other federal agencies to evaluate and assess all potential return locations off the coast of California to ensure safe and reliable Dragon splashdowns on the West Coast. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":613,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To support these changes, a Dragon recovery vessel will move to the Pacific, where we will utilize existing SpaceX facilities in the Port of Long Beach to support initial post-flight work and operations on Dragon. Post-splashdown, crew and cargo will transit to California ahead of their final destinations, such as Houston, Texas or Cape Canaveral, Florida. Dragon refurbishment will continue to primarily take place at our Dragon processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare the Dragon spacecraft for its next flight.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":614,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Continued innovation of spacecraft design and operations is critical to ensure Dragon continues to safely fly to and from Earth’s orbit. This new path will help make this possible while also keeping the public safe as we work toward becoming a spacefaring civilization.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":173,"documentId":"ivt38anxq674trhfcr1mdurn","updateId":"make-life-multiplanetary","date":"2024-04-06","title":"TO MAKE LIFE MULTIPLANETARY ","youtubeVideoId":"1776669097490776563","streamingVideoType":"x.com","link":null,"image":{"id":4718,"name":"Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129A9251.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3093,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be.jpg","hash":"large_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129A9251.jpg","path":null,"size":60.46,"width":1000,"height":699},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be.jpg","hash":"small_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129A9251.jpg","path":null,"size":21,"width":500,"height":349},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be.jpg","hash":"medium_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129A9251.jpg","path":null,"size":39.33,"width":750,"height":524},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129A9251.jpg","path":null,"size":6.03,"width":223,"height":156}},"hash":"Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":328.88,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Starship_Flight3_Launch_Remote_Gateway_129_A9251_5b57c3c6be.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/222","createdAt":"2024-04-06T01:53:18.926Z","updatedAt":"2024-04-06T01:53:18.926Z","documentId":"d2bu27y9kz8m22eeoaebpwq4","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":615,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The goal of SpaceX is to build the technologies necessary to make life multiplanetary. This is the first time in the 4-billion-year history of Earth that it’s possible to realize that goal and protect the light of consciousness.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":616,"heading":null,"paragraph":"At Starbase on Thursday, April 4, SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk provided an update on the company’s plans to send humanity to Mars, the best destination to begin making life multiplanetary.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":617,"heading":null,"paragraph":"All of SpaceX’s current programs, including Falcon, Dragon, Starlink, and Starship are integral to developing the technologies necessary to make missions to Mars a reality. The update included near-term priorities for Starship that will unlock its ability to be fully and rapidly reusable, the core enabler for transforming humanity’s ability to send large amounts of payload to orbit and beyond. With more flight tests, significant vehicle upgrades, and missions returning astronauts to the surface of the Moon with NASA’s Artemis Program all coming soon, excitement will continue to be guaranteed with Starship.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":618,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The talk also includes the mechanics and challenges of traveling to Mars, along with what we’re building today to enable sending around a million people and several million tonnes to the Martian surface in the years to come.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":174,"documentId":"nqu27p304epxsyqqsgyyk8nx","updateId":"starship-sonic-boom","date":"2024-07-29","title":"STARSHIP’S SONIC BOOM","youtubeVideoId":"1818030059422367857","streamingVideoType":"x.com","link":null,"image":{"id":5094,"name":"vlcsnap-2024-07-29-15h59m43s085.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3324,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3.png","hash":"large_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3","mime":"image/png","name":"large_vlcsnap-2024-07-29-15h59m43s085.png","path":null,"size":544.16,"width":1000,"height":650},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3.png","hash":"small_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3","mime":"image/png","name":"small_vlcsnap-2024-07-29-15h59m43s085.png","path":null,"size":152.92,"width":500,"height":325},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3.png","hash":"medium_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_vlcsnap-2024-07-29-15h59m43s085.png","path":null,"size":331.96,"width":750,"height":487},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3.png","hash":"thumbnail_vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_vlcsnap-2024-07-29-15h59m43s085.png","path":null,"size":44.92,"width":240,"height":156}},"hash":"vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":1288.27,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/vlcsnap_2024_07_29_15h59m43s085_5c012b94b3.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/266","createdAt":"2024-07-29T21:04:02.923Z","updatedAt":"2024-07-29T21:04:02.923Z","documentId":"ff3t77rehonl2qb51hpt7q7s","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":619,"heading":null,"paragraph":"With each flight of Starship and the Super Heavy booster, we get closer to our goal of making life multiplanetary. The most important advancement to make this happen is full and rapid reusability of the entire launch system, operating Starship like an airplane which is fully and rapidly reusable after each flight. To do this, we have designed Starship’s upper stage and the Super Heavy booster to be capable of <a href=https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1806444825979543725/video/1 target=\"_\"><b>returning to the launch site</b></a>. The returning vehicles will slow down from supersonic speeds, resulting in audible sonic booms in the area around the return location.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":620,"heading":null,"paragraph":"A sonic boom is a brief, thunder-like noise a person on the ground hears when an aircraft or other object travels faster than the speed of sound. As a fast-moving object travels through the air, it pushes the air aside and creates a wave of pressure which eventually reaches the ground. The change in air pressure associated with a sonic boom, known as overpressure, increases only a few pounds per square foot. A person could experience a similar pressure change by riding down several floors in an elevator. What makes sonic booms audible is the quick speeds at which the pressure change occurs.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":621,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Generally, the only impact to those in the surrounding area of a sonic boom is the brief noise. There are many variables that determine the impact of sonic booms, including the mass, shape and size of the object traveling at high speeds, along with its altitude and flight path. External factors like weather conditions can also affect the intensity of a sonic boom. The strongest effects of the sonic boom’s pressure change are localized to the area directly beneath the vehicle, concentrated under the rocket’s flight path and the landing site. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":622,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Sonic booms in spaceflight have typically only been experienced by observers on Earth when encountering vehicles designed to be reused, such as SpaceX’s Falcon family of rockets. When the first stage booster of a Falcon rocket returns for landing, its size and speed generate multiple sonic booms heard on the ground as a double clap of thunder. Similar sonic booms were heard during the return and landing of the NASA’s space shuttle. In each case, the sonic boom marks the end of just one in a series of missions for the vehicle returning from flight. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":623,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Data gathered from <a href=https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1799458854067118450/video/1 target=\"_\"><b>the first ever Super Heavy landing burn and splashdown</b></a> on Starship’s fourth flight test indicates that while Super Heavy’s sonic boom will be more powerful than those generated by Falcon landings, it does not pose any risk of injury to those in the surrounding areas. The strongest effects will be localized to the area immediately around the Starbase launch pad. This area is cleared well in advance of launch and has been rigorously designed to withstand the environments of launching and returning the most powerful rocket ever flown. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":624,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Sonic booms announce the return of rockets and spacecraft built to be reused. With Starship, they’ll signal the arrival of a rapidly reusable future in spaceflight to travel to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":175,"documentId":"f9h7xk573va4glsdhp9y7avi","updateId":"fram2","date":"2024-08-12","title":"First Human Spaceflight to Fly Over Earth’s Polar Regions ","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":5116,"name":"FRAM-2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2560,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066.jpg","hash":"large_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_FRAM-2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668.jpg","path":null,"size":92.91,"width":1000,"height":667},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066.jpg","hash":"small_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_FRAM-2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668.jpg","path":null,"size":32.59,"width":500,"height":333},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066.jpg","hash":"medium_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_FRAM-2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668.jpg","path":null,"size":59.3,"width":750,"height":500},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_FRAM-2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668.jpg","path":null,"size":10.07,"width":234,"height":156}},"hash":"FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":802.93,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/FRAM_2_HT_Group_Photos_20240812_dsc04668_c38d124066.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/274","createdAt":"2024-08-12T19:25:23.388Z","updatedAt":"2024-08-12T19:25:23.388Z","documentId":"qepan83hntut80o4hvipt8bo","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2024-10-21T16:04:39.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":625,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In the past four years, SpaceX has launched thirteen human spaceflight missions, safely flying 50 crewmembers to and from Earth’s orbit and creating new opportunities for humanity to live, work, and explore what is possible in space. Dragon’s 46 missions overall to orbit have delivered critical supplies, scientific research, and astronauts to the International Space Station, while also opening the door for commercial astronauts to explore Earth’s orbit.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":626,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As early as this year, Falcon 9 will launch Dragon’s sixth commercial astronaut mission, Fram2, which will be the first human spaceflight mission to explore Earth from a polar orbit and fly over the Earth’s polar regions for the first time. Named in honor of the ship that helped explorers first reach Earth’s Arctic and Antarctic regions, Fram2 will be commanded by Chun Wang, an entrepreneur and adventurer from Malta. Wang aims to use the mission to highlight the crew’s explorational spirit, bring a sense of wonder and curiosity to the larger public, and highlight how technology can help push the boundaries of exploration of Earth and through the mission’s research.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":627,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Joining Wang on the mission is a crew of international adventurers: Norway’s Jannicke Mikkelsen, vehicle commander; Australia’s Eric Philips, vehicle pilot; and Germany’s Rabea Rogge, mission specialist. This will be the first spaceflight for each of the crewmembers. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":628,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Throughout the 3-to-5-day mission, the crew plans to observe Earth’s polar regions through Dragon’s cupola at an altitude of 425 – 450 km, leveraging insight from space physicists and citizen scientists to study unusual light emissions resembling auroras. The crew will study green fragments and mauve ribbons of continuous emissions comparable to the phenomenon known as STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), which has been measured at an altitude of approximately 400 - 500 km above Earth’s atmosphere. The crew will also work with SpaceX to conduct a variety of research to better understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body, which includes capturing the first human x-ray images in space, Just-in-Time training tools, and studying the effects of spaceflight on behavioral health, all of which will help in the development of tools needed to prepare humanity for future long-duration spaceflight.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":629,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Falcon 9 will launch Fram2 to a polar orbit from Florida no earlier than late 2024.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":193,"documentId":"vh1o044nbor9byfj6i20xthz","updateId":"building-starship","date":"2025-03-03","title":"FUTURE OF BUILDING STARSHIP","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":5525,"name":"Space X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2533,"height":1501,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188.jpg","hash":"large_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Space X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107.jpg","path":null,"size":47.12,"width":1000,"height":593,"sizeInBytes":47122},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188.jpg","hash":"small_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Space X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107.jpg","path":null,"size":15.42,"width":500,"height":296,"sizeInBytes":15417},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188.jpg","hash":"medium_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Space X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107.jpg","path":null,"size":29.21,"width":750,"height":444,"sizeInBytes":29212},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Space X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107.jpg","path":null,"size":5.36,"width":245,"height":145,"sizeInBytes":5363}},"hash":"Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":140.72,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Space_X_Starbase_Gigabay_20250107_234dcd8188.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/368","createdAt":"2025-02-28T15:49:18.359Z","updatedAt":"2025-02-28T15:49:18.359Z","documentId":"z4a080fotw72rcabmj0stygd","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-02-28T15:49:18.360Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":771,"heading":null,"paragraph":"In addition to continued infrastructure development at Starbase, Texas, where SpaceX is headquartered, SpaceX is expanding its Starship operations in Florida, bringing Starship production and launch capabilities to the Space Coast. As flight testing and development of Starship continues at Starbase in Texas, SpaceX is building a new integration facility, called Gigabay, next to its HangarX location at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Additionally, SpaceX plans to complete the Starship launch pad at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center this year while the Environmental Impact Statements continue for potential Starship flight operations from both LC-39A and Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":772,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Expansion of Starship production and launch operations in Florida will enable SpaceX to significantly increase the build and flight rates for Starship, which will be the first rapidly and fully reusable launch vehicle in history. Access to space is a critical and growing need for U.S. national security, leadership in science, the country’s exploration goals, and for the growth of the economy. Starship will ultimately be responsible for sending millions of tons of payload to Mars – building a self-sustaining city to make humanity multiplanetary. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":773,"heading":"GIGABAY","paragraph":"The Gigabay in Florida will stand 380 feet tall and provide approximately 46.5 million cubic feet of interior processing space with 815,000 square feet of workspace, including ground level, elevated platform work areas, and a work and meeting space on the top floor. Gigabay will be able to support Starship and Super Heavy vehicles up to 81 meters (266 feet) tall and will provide 24 work cells for integration and refurbishment work, along with cranes capable of lifting up to 400 US tons. Compared to the Megabay facilities in Starbase, currently SpaceX’s largest stacking and integration buildings, Gigabay provides more than 11 times the square-footage for workspace, 19 additional work cells, and more than twice the crane lifting capacity. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":774,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Site preparations for Gigabay in Florida have already begun, with construction targeted to be complete and the facility operational by the end of 2026. At the same time, we are also building another Gigabay at Starbase in Texas, next to our Starship Starfactory manufacturing facility. Work on this Gigabay has already begun, and the facility is targeted for completion by the end of 2026. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":775,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As we work to complete the Gigabay in Florida, we are also designing and planning for a co-located manufacturing facility, similar to the Starfactory in Texas, to enable production of Starships in Florida. To enable initial Starship flights from Florida while our Space Coast Starship manufacturing, integration, and refurbishment facilities are being completed, we will first transport completed Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stage ships from Starbase via barge to build up a Starship fleet in Florida. With production, integration, refurbishment, and launch facilities in Florida as well as Texas, we will be in a position to quickly ramp Starship’s launch rate via rapid reusability. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":776,"heading":"STARSHIP AT THE SPACE COAST","paragraph":"To support initial Starship launches from Florida, SpaceX is building a Starship launch and catch site at LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. This Starship pad at LC-39A will include learnings from Starship’s first two pads in Starbase. In 2022, we stacked the launch tower at LC-39A. In the coming months, teams will build and install the pad’s deflector system, which provides cooling and sound suppression water during Starship launches and catches. This new deflector will be nearly identical to the one being installed to support the second launch pad at Starbase. Pending completion of environmental reviews, SpaceX intends to conduct Starship's first Florida launch from LC-39A in late 2025. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":777,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To support the needed Starship flight rate to make humanity a multiplanetary civilization, which involves not only the launch of cargo and people but also the propellant tankers to enable on-orbit refueling, SpaceX is also interested in enabling Starship launches from SLC-37 at CCSFS. SpaceX has been given a limited Right of Entry for SLC-37 in support of conducting further due diligence of the site in order to move forward with the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), led by the Department of the Air Force, for Starship and Super Heavy Operations at CCSFS. SLC-37 was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s. NASA used the pad from 1964 to 1968 for testing of the Saturn I and Saturn IB rockets as part of the Apollo program. From 2002 to 2024, the pad was used for the Delta IV rocket. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":195,"documentId":"f3576i42tuyzo5ca6wxse6ys","updateId":"flight-8-report","date":"2025-05-22","title":"FLY. LEARN. REPEAT.","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":5746,"name":"Flight_8_Onboard.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":2048,"height":1060,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight_8_Onboard.jpg","path":null,"size":49.36,"width":1000,"height":518,"sizeInBytes":49363},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight_8_Onboard.jpg","path":null,"size":16.11,"width":500,"height":259,"sizeInBytes":16105},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight_8_Onboard.jpg","path":null,"size":31.12,"width":750,"height":388,"sizeInBytes":31124},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight_8_Onboard.jpg","path":null,"size":4.83,"width":245,"height":127,"sizeInBytes":4833}},"hash":"Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":144.26,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_8_Onboard_160af4d80b.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/361","createdAt":"2025-05-22T15:28:12.361Z","updatedAt":"2025-05-22T15:28:12.361Z","documentId":"jrpv7ewcmrt2i1t5xpgk8mal","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-05-22T15:28:12.362Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":789,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On March 6, 2025, Starship’s eighth flight test successfully lifted off at 5:30 p.m. CT from Starbase in Texas. All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster started up successfully and completed a full duration burn during ascent. After powering down all but the three center engines on Super Heavy, Starship ignited all six of its Raptor engines to separate in a hot-staging maneuver and continue its ascent to space. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":790,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The Super Heavy booster then relit 11 of 13 planned Raptor engines and performed a boostback burn to return itself to the launch site. Once there, it relit 12 of the planned 13 engines for its landing burn, including one of the engines that did not start up for the boostback burn. The three center engines continued running to maneuver the booster to the launch and catch tower arms, resulting in the third successful catch of a Super Heavy booster.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":791,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most probable cause for engines not relighting during the boostback and landing burn phases was traced to torch ignition issues on the individual engines caused by thermal conditions local to the igniter. Post-flight testing was able to replicate the issue and engines on future flights will have additional insulation as mitigation. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":792,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship’s upper stage flew along its expected trajectory following separation from the Super Heavy booster. Approximately five and a half minutes into its ascent burn, a flash was observed in the aft section of the vehicle near one of the center Raptor sea level engines followed by an energetic event that resulted in the loss of the engine. Immediately after, the remaining two center Raptor engines and one of the Raptor vacuum engines shut down and vehicle control authority was lost. Telemetry from the vehicle was last received approximately nine and a half minutes into the flight, or a little more than two minutes following the first flash observation, at which point all engines had shut down.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":793,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Contact with Starship was lost prior to triggering any destruct rules for its Autonomous Flight Safety System, which was fully healthy when communication was lost. It is expected that the Autonomous Flight Safety System fired upon loss of communication, ensuring vehicle breakup following the mishap. The vehicle was observed to re-enter the atmosphere and break apart following the loss of communication. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":794,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship flew within a designated launch corridor to safeguard the public both on the ground, on water, and in the air. Following the mishap, SpaceX teams immediately began coordination with the FAA, ATO (air traffic control) and other safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses. SpaceX worked closely with the Bahamian government and sent a team of experts to coordinate and execute clean-up efforts. All debris came down within the pre-planned Debris Response Area, and there were no hazardous materials present in the debris and no significant impacts expected to occur to marine species or water quality. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":795,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA, the National Transportation and Safety Board, and the United States Space Force. SpaceX submitted a mishap report to the FAA for review and received a flight safety determination from the FAA to enable its next flight of Starship.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":796,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most probable root cause for the loss of Starship was identified as a hardware failure in one of the upper stage’s center Raptor engines that resulted in inadvertent propellant mixing and ignition. Extensive ground testing has taken place since the flight test to better understand the failure, including more than 100 long-duration Raptor firings at SpaceX’s McGregor test facility. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":797,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To address the issue on upcoming flights, engines on the Starship’s upper stage will receive additional preload on key joints, a new nitrogen purge system, and improvements to the propellant drain system. Future upgrades to Starship will introduce the Raptor 3 engine which will include additional reliability improvements to address the failure mechanism. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":798,"heading":null,"paragraph":"While the failure manifested at a similar point in the flight timeline as Starship’s seventh flight test, it is worth noting that the failures are distinctly different. The <a href=https://www.spacex.com/updates/#flight-7-report target=\"_\"> mitigations put in place after Starship’s seventh flight test</a> to address harmonic response and flammability of the ship’s attic section worked as designed prior to the failure on Flight 8. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":799,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is designed to fundamentally change and enhance humanity’s ability to reach space. This step change in capability won’t happen overnight and progress towards that goal won’t always come in leaps. But by putting hardware into a real-world environment as frequently as possible, while still maximizing controls for public safety, progress can be made to achieve the goal of flying a reliable, fully and rapidly reusable rocket. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":197,"documentId":"f1jhkoskt3o5ctt1olwe8cmp","updateId":"flight-7-report","date":"2025-02-24","title":"NEW YEAR. NEW SHIP. NEW LESSONS.","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":5745,"name":"Flight-7_Onboard_20250121001410.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1920,"height":1078,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight-7_Onboard_20250121001410.jpg","path":null,"size":113.55,"width":1000,"height":561,"sizeInBytes":113554},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight-7_Onboard_20250121001410.jpg","path":null,"size":34.53,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":34532},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight-7_Onboard_20250121001410.jpg","path":null,"size":70.24,"width":750,"height":421,"sizeInBytes":70236},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight-7_Onboard_20250121001410.jpg","path":null,"size":9.9,"width":245,"height":137,"sizeInBytes":9896}},"hash":"Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":315.98,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_7_Onboard_20250121001410_066c4348a8.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/361","createdAt":"2025-02-18T20:01:10.285Z","updatedAt":"2025-02-18T20:01:10.285Z","documentId":"ywxh5v7h0a5mpfxhjz8tjyj3","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-02-18T20:01:10.285Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":813,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The seventh flight test of Starship and Super Heavy flew with ambitious goals, aiming to successfully repeat the core capability of returning and catching a booster while launching an upgraded design of the upper stage. While not every test objective was completed, the lessons learned will roll directly into future vehicles to make them more capable as Starship advances toward full and rapid reuse. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":814,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On January 16, 2025, Starship successfully lifted off at 4:37 p.m. CT from Starbase in Texas. At launch, all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster started up successfully and completed a full duration burn during ascent. After powering down all but the three center engines on Super Heavy, Starship ignited all six of its Raptor engines to separate in a hot-staging maneuver and continue its ascent to space. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":815,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following stage separation, Super Heavy initiated its boostback burn to propel the rocket toward its intended landing location. It successfully lit 12 of the 13 engines commanded to start, with a single Raptor on the middle ring safely aborting on startup due to a low-power condition in the igniter system. Raptor engines on upcoming flights have a pre-planned igniter upgrade to mitigate this issue. The boostback burn was completed successfully and sent Super Heavy back to the launch site for catch. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":816,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The booster successfully relit all 13 planned middle ring and center Raptor engines for its landing burn, including the engine that did not relight for boostback burn. The landing burn slowed the booster down and maneuvered it to the launch and catch tower arms at Starbase, resulting in the second ever successful catch of Super Heavy.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":817,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After vehicle separation, Starship's six second stage Raptor engines powered the vehicle along its expected trajectory. Approximately two minutes into its burn, a flash was observed in the aft section of the vehicle near one of the Raptor vacuum engines. This aft section, commonly referred to as the attic, is an unpressurized area between the bottom of the liquid oxygen tank and the aft heatshield. Sensors in the attic detected a pressure rise indicative of a leak after the flash was seen. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":818,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Roughly two minutes later, another flash was observed followed by sustained fires in the attic. These eventually caused all but one of Starship’s engines to execute controlled shut down sequences and ultimately led to a loss of communication with the ship. Telemetry from the vehicle was last received just over eight minutes and 20 seconds into flight. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":819,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Contact with Starship was lost prior to triggering any destruct rules for its Autonomous Flight Safety System, which was fully healthy when communication was lost. The vehicle was observed to break apart approximately three minutes after loss of contact during descent. Post-flight analysis indicates that the safety system did trigger autonomously, and breakup occurred within Flight Termination System expectations. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":820,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most probable root cause for the loss of ship was identified as a harmonic response several times stronger in flight than had been seen during testing, which led to increased stress on hardware in the propulsion system. The subsequent propellant leaks exceeded the venting capability of the ship’s attic area and resulted in sustained fires.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":821,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Immediately following the anomaly, the pre-coordinated response plan developed by SpaceX, the FAA, and ATO (air traffic control) went into effect. All debris came down within the pre-planned Debris Response Area, and there were no hazardous materials present in the debris and no significant impacts expected to occur to marine species or water quality. SpaceX reached out immediately to the government of Turks and Caicos and worked with them and the United Kingdom to coordinate recovery and cleanup efforts. While an early end to the flight test is never a desired outcome, the measures put in place ahead of launch demonstrated their ability to keep the public safe. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":822,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the U.S. Space Force.  SpaceX is working with the FAA to either close the mishap investigation or receive a flight safety determination, along with working on a license authorization to enable its next flight of Starship.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":823,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As part of the investigation, an extended duration static fire was completed with the Starship flying on the eighth flight test. The 60-second firing was used to test multiple engine thrust levels and three separate hardware configurations in the Raptor vacuum engine feedlines to recreate and address the harmonic response seen during Flight 7. Findings from the static fire informed hardware changes to the fuel feedlines to vacuum engines, adjustments to propellant temperatures, and a new operating thrust target that will be used on the upcoming flight test. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":824,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To address flammability potential in the attic section on Starship, additional vents and a new purge system utilizing gaseous nitrogen are being added to the current generation of ships to make the area more robust to propellant leakage. Future upgrades to Starship will introduce the Raptor 3 engine, reducing the attic volume and eliminating the majority of joints that can leak into this volume. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":825,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship’s seventh flight test was a reminder that developmental progress is not always linear, and putting flight hardware in a flight environment is the fastest way to demonstrate how thousands of distinct parts come together to reach space. Upcoming flights will continue to target ambitious goals in the pursuit of full and rapid reusability.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":199,"documentId":"mtza4tvi18elz337xctzav25","updateId":"starship-static-fire-update","date":"2025-06-19","title":"Starship Static Fire Update","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":4160,"name":"Ship_36_a2506190485.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3775,"height":2123,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811.jpg","hash":"large_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Ship_36_a2506190485.jpg","path":null,"size":68.4,"width":1000,"height":562,"sizeInBytes":68398},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811.jpg","hash":"small_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Ship_36_a2506190485.jpg","path":null,"size":19.94,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":19941},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811.jpg","hash":"medium_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Ship_36_a2506190485.jpg","path":null,"size":39.93,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":39927},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Ship_36_a2506190485.jpg","path":null,"size":6.13,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":6125}},"hash":"Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":926,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Ship_36_a2506190485_d5e0f8b811.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/361","createdAt":"2025-06-19T19:25:55.238Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-19T19:25:55.238Z","documentId":"nbe5rz48p20w7cxy415hjxg4","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-06-19T19:25:55.252Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":832,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11 p.m. CT, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced an anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":833,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After completing a single-engine static fire earlier this week, the vehicle was in the process of loading cryogenic propellant for a six-engine static fire when a sudden energetic event resulted in the complete loss of Starship and damage to the immediate area surrounding the stand. The explosion ignited several fires at the test site which remains clear of personnel and will be assessed once it has been determined to be safe to approach. Individuals should not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":834,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As is the case before any test, a safety zone was established around the test site and was maintained throughout the operation. There are no reported injuries, and all personnel are safe and accounted for. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":835,"heading":null,"paragraph":"There are no hazards to the surrounding communities in the Rio Grande Valley. Previous independent tests conducted on materials inside Starship, including toxicity analyses, confirm they pose no chemical, biological, or toxicological risks. SpaceX is coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, as appropriate, on matters concerning environmental and safety impacts.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":836,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Engineering teams are actively investigating the incident and will follow established procedures to determine root cause. Initial analysis indicates the potential failure of a pressurized tank known as a COPV, or composite overwrapped pressure vessel, containing gaseous nitrogen in Starship’s nosecone area, but the full data review is ongoing. There is no commonality between the COPVs used on Starship and SpaceX’s Falcon rockets. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":837,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The SpaceX team would like to thank officials and residents in the surrounding Rio Grande Valley communities for their support, particularly first responders who have assisted since shortly after the anomaly took place.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":200,"documentId":"swesokom9nm9qbpew59fkgr1","updateId":"amos6","date":"2016-09-01","title":"AMOS-6 Static Fire","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":3693,"name":"AMOS6_Raise_Vertical-399A0365.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5760,"height":3840,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3.jpg","hash":"large_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_AMOS6_Raise_Vertical-399A0365.jpg","path":null,"size":62.24,"width":1000,"height":667,"sizeInBytes":62240},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3.jpg","hash":"small_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_AMOS6_Raise_Vertical-399A0365.jpg","path":null,"size":16.23,"width":500,"height":333,"sizeInBytes":16233},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3.jpg","hash":"medium_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_AMOS6_Raise_Vertical-399A0365.jpg","path":null,"size":34.94,"width":750,"height":500,"sizeInBytes":34942},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_AMOS6_Raise_Vertical-399A0365.jpg","path":null,"size":4.55,"width":234,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":4550}},"hash":"AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":2434.05,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/AMOS_6_Raise_Vertical_399_A0365_5f56bd0fb3.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106","createdAt":"2025-07-24T22:26:03.045Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-24T22:26:03.045Z","documentId":"iwz2cggxf0sfgf7cmev4m3v1","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-07-24T22:26:03.045Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":838,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On September 1, 2016 at 9:07 a.m. ET, during a standard pre-launch static fire test for the AMOS-6 mission, there was an anomaly at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station resulting in the loss of the vehicle and payload. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":839,"heading":null,"paragraph":"An investigation team was established according to SpaceX's accident investigation plan as approved by the FAA. As the primary federal licensing body, the FAA provided oversight and coordination for the investigation that was led by SpaceX, with assistance from  officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and several industry experts.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":840,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Investigators scoured more than 3,000 channels of video and telemetry data covering a very brief timeline of events – there were just 93 milliseconds from the first sign of anomalous data to the loss of the second stage, followed by loss of the vehicle. Because the failure occurred on the ground, investigators were also able to review umbilical data, ground-based video, and physical debris. To validate investigation analysis and findings, SpaceX conducted a wide range of tests at its facilities in Hawthorne, California and McGregor, Texas. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":841,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The accident investigation team worked systematically through an extensive fault tree analysis and concluded that one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the second stage liquid oxygen (LOX) tank failed. Specifically, the investigation team concluded the failure was likely due to the accumulation of oxygen between the COPV liner and overwrap in a void or a buckle in the liner, leading to ignition and the subsequent failure of the COPV. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":842,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Each stage of Falcon 9 uses COPVs to store cold helium which is used to maintain tank pressure, and each COPV consists of an aluminum inner liner with a carbon overwrap. The recovered COPVs showed buckles in their liners. Although buckles were not shown to burst a COPV on their own, investigators concluded that super chilled LOX can pool in these buckles under the overwrap. When pressurized, oxygen pooled in this buckle can become trapped; in turn, breaking fibers or friction can ignite the oxygen in the overwrap, causing the COPV to fail. In addition, investigators determined that the loading temperature of the helium was cold enough to create solid oxygen (SOX), which exacerbates the possibility of oxygen becoming trapped as well as the likelihood of friction ignition. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":843,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The investigation team identified several credible causes for the COPV failure, all of which involve accumulation of super chilled LOX or SOX in buckles under the overwrap. The corrective actions address all credible causes and focus on changes which avoid the conditions that led to these credible causes. In the short term, this entails changing the COPV configuration to allow warmer temperature helium to be loaded, as well as returning helium loading operations to a prior flight proven configuration based on operations used in over 700 successful COPV loads. In the long term, SpaceX will implement design changes to the COPVs to prevent buckles altogether, which will allow for faster loading operations.  ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":844,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX is targeting return to flight from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) with the Iridium NEXT launch on January 8. SpaceX greatly appreciates the support of our customers and partners throughout this process, and we look forward to fulfilling our manifest in 2017 and beyond. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":203,"documentId":"qmbzaywcyxl58i3vaog0yqx4","updateId":"flight-9-report","date":"2025-08-15","title":"FLIGHT 9 AND SHIP 36 REPORT","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":6124,"name":"Flight-9_Onboards_a2505290345.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1872,"height":1053,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590.jpg","hash":"large_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Flight-9_Onboards_a2505290345.jpg","path":null,"size":63.2,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":63204},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590.jpg","hash":"small_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Flight-9_Onboards_a2505290345.jpg","path":null,"size":20.82,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":20817},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590.jpg","hash":"medium_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Flight-9_Onboards_a2505290345.jpg","path":null,"size":39.9,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":39901},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Flight-9_Onboards_a2505290345.jpg","path":null,"size":6.51,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":6514}},"hash":"Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":171.95,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Flight_9_Onboards_a2505290345_5463f84590.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/361","createdAt":"2025-08-13T20:55:05.468Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-13T20:55:05.468Z","documentId":"x0x4y5lct66yi8znek6ufw8z","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2025-08-13T20:55:05.469Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":877,"heading":"Flight 9","paragraph":"On May 27, 2025, Starship’s ninth flight test successfully lifted off at 6:36 p.m. CT from Starbase, Texas. The flight test began with the first Super Heavy booster to be reflown starting up successfully and completing a full-duration ascent burn with all 33 of its Raptor engines before separating from Starship’s upper stage in a hot-staging maneuver. During separation, Super Heavy performed the first ever deterministic flip followed by its boostback burn.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":878,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After completing the boostback burn, Super Heavy flew at a significantly higher angle of attack than previous flights during its descent back to Earth, reaching a peak angle of approximately 17 degrees. This trajectory was a flight experiment to gather data on the limits of the booster’s performance. Once it reached the planned splashdown area, the booster relit 12 of the planned 13 engines for its landing burn. Shortly after the burn started, an energetic event was observed near the aft end of the vehicle followed by loss of telemetry. Final data was received from the booster approximately 382 seconds into flight and at approximately 1 kilometer in altitude over the designated clear zone. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":879,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most probable cause for the failure at landing burn was higher than predicted forces on the booster structure, specifically on the booster’s fuel transfer tube, due to the increased angle of attack experiment. Post-flight analysis showed that vehicle loads exceeded the capabilities of the transfer tube which is believed to have experienced a structural failure, resulting in a mixing of methane and liquid oxygen and subsequent ignition. For the remaining flight tests using this version of the Super Heavy booster, the angle of attack for booster descent will be lowered to decrease aerodynamic forces and minimize the likelihood of structural failure. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":880,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX works with an experienced global response provider to retrieve any debris that may wash up in South Texas and/or Mexico as a result of Starship flight test operations. During the survey of the expected debris field from the booster, there was no evidence of any floating or deceased marine life that would signal booster debris impact harmed animals in the vicinity.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":881,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Following a successful stage separation, the Starship upper stage lit all six of its Raptor engines and flew along its expected trajectory. Approximately three minutes into the burn, sensors in the nosecone detected a steady increase in methane levels. This continued until approximately five minutes into the burn when pressure began to rapidly decrease in the main fuel tank while pressure simultaneously increased in the nosecone. Starship’s systems were able to compensate for the drop in main tank pressure and completed the ascent burn, achieving the planned velocity and Second Stage Engine Cutoff (SECO).","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":882,"heading":null,"paragraph":"After engine shutdown, the elevated nosecone pressure combined with planned nosecone venting led to a large amount of attitude error, which continued to build up until the vehicle’s automatic fault systems disabled nosecone venting. The attitude error resulted in the ship automatically skipping the payload deploy objective, which was also unable to be completed as the higher nosecone pressure resulted in adverse loads on the mechanism responsible for opening the payload door.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":883,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The vehicle was able to gradually decrease its attitude error using reaction control thrusters until nosecone venting was reenabled as planned. Roughly 40 seconds after nosecone vents were reenabled, onboard cameras showed liquid methane entering the nosecone and temperatures on multiple sensors and controllers started dropping. This eventually triggered automatic passivation commands on the vehicle, resulting in Starship skipping the in-space burn and venting all remaining propellant into space.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":884,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship reentered Earth’s atmosphere in an off-nominal attitude and communication was lost during entry. Final telemetry from Starship was received approximately 46 minutes into the flight test, while the vehicle was approximately 59 kilometers in altitude and inside the designated entry area over the Indian Ocean. There were no autonomous flight safety system mission rule violations or initiation of the flight termination system.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":885,"heading":null,"paragraph":"SpaceX led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the United States Space Force.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":886,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most probable root cause for the loss of the Starship upper stage was traced to a failure on the main fuel tank pressurization system diffuser. Cameras inside the vehicle showed a visible failure on the fuel diffuser canister, which is located inside the nosecone volume on the forward dome of the main fuel tank. While pre-flight analysis did not show a predicted failure, SpaceX engineers were able to recreate the failure using flight conditions when testing at our facility in McGregor, Texas.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":887,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To address the issue on upcoming flights, the fuel diffuser has been redesigned to better direct pressurized gas into the main fuel tank and substantially decrease the strain on the diffuser structure. The new design underwent a more rigorous qualification campaign, subjecting it to flight-like stresses and running for more than ten times the expected service life with no damage.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":888,"heading":"Ship 36","paragraph":"On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11:00 p.m. CT, the Starship (Ship 36) preparing for the tenth flight test experienced an anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase. The vehicle was in the process of loading cryogenic propellant for a six-engine static fire when a sudden energetic event resulted in the complete loss of Starship and damage to the immediate area surrounding the stand. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":889,"heading":null,"paragraph":"As is the case before any test or launch, a safety zone was maintained around the test site and all hazards remained within the safety zone. There were no reported injuries or safety violations.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":890,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The most probable root cause was identified as undetectable or under screened damage to a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) in Starship’s payload bay section, which failed and resulted in structural failure of the vehicle causing subsequent propellant mixing and ignition. The COPVs in the payload section store gaseous nitrogen for use in the Starship environmental control system.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":891,"heading":null,"paragraph":"To address the issue, COPVs on upcoming flights will operate at a reduced pressure with additional inspections and proof tests added prior to loading reactive propellants onto a vehicle. SpaceX has also updated its COPV acceptance criteria and developed a new non-destructive evaluation method to detect internal COPV damage. New external covers are also being added to COPVs during their integration, adding an additional layer of protection and visual indication of potential damage. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":892,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Every lesson learned, through both flight and ground testing, continues to feed directly into designs for the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy. Two flights remain with the current generation, each with test objectives designed to expand the envelope on vehicle capabilities as we iterate towards fully and rapidly reusable, reliable rockets. ","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]},{"id":220,"documentId":"qwpxub8ztlbxjqxasctiu0wy","updateId":"starship-v3","date":"2026-05-12","title":"Introducing Starship V3","youtubeVideoId":null,"streamingVideoType":null,"link":null,"image":{"id":7089,"name":"20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual-2.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5272,"height":3948,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9.jpg","hash":"large_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual-2.jpg","path":null,"size":108.75,"width":1000,"height":749,"sizeInBytes":108745},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9.jpg","hash":"small_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual-2.jpg","path":null,"size":34.8,"width":500,"height":374,"sizeInBytes":34803},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9.jpg","hash":"medium_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual-2.jpg","path":null,"size":68.58,"width":750,"height":562,"sizeInBytes":68583},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual-2.jpg","path":null,"size":8.56,"width":209,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":8557}},"hash":"20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1954.35,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/20260511_Wet_Dress_Actual_2_259bcb3ae9.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-12T14:54:02.709Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-12T14:54:02.709Z","documentId":"oxke4zwce9f7jsfyg27gh8xn","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-12T14:54:02.710Z"},"contentBlocks":[{"id":1221,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The third generation of Starship and Super Heavy, powered by Raptor 3 and launching from an entirely new launch pad, incorporate learnings from years of flight testing and development.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1222,"heading":"Super Heavy V3 Change Highlights","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1238,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The Super Heavy V3 booster features several significant upgrades. The number of grid fins has been reduced from four to three, with each fin now 50% larger and significantly stronger. These fins include a new catch point and have been re-clocked on the booster to support vehicle lift and catch operations. They have also been lowered to reduce heat exposure from Starship’s engines during hot-staging. Additionally, the grid fin shaft, actuator, and fixed structure have been moved inside the booster’s main fuel tank for better protection.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":142,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7064,"name":"B19_Transport_2603083576.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":11316,"height":6365,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f.jpg","hash":"large_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_B19_Transport_2603083576.jpg","path":null,"size":78.37,"width":1000,"height":562,"sizeInBytes":78366},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f.jpg","hash":"small_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_B19_Transport_2603083576.jpg","path":null,"size":24.09,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":24090},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f.jpg","hash":"medium_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_B19_Transport_2603083576.jpg","path":null,"size":47.9,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":47902},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_B19_Transport_2603083576.jpg","path":null,"size":7.3,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":7296}},"hash":"B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":7155.55,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/B19_Transport_2603083576_1cc29f2c4f.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:33.408Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:33.408Z","documentId":"jporn7o80rmoj1tetfj0y968","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:33.409Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1239,"heading":null,"paragraph":"An integrated hot stage replaces the previous single-use protective interstage. The forward dome of the booster fuel tank is now directly exposed to the Starship upper stage’s Raptor engines upon ignition, with the booster’s internal fuel tank pressure and a non-structural layer of steel protecting it during stage separation. And the actuators on the interstage that connect the ship and booster now retract after separation to further shield them from Raptor exhaust.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":143,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7061,"name":"B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":5259,"height":2958,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975.jpg","hash":"large_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525.jpg","path":null,"size":128.99,"width":1000,"height":562,"sizeInBytes":128992},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975.jpg","hash":"small_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525.jpg","path":null,"size":36.81,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":36806},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975.jpg","hash":"medium_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525.jpg","path":null,"size":77.74,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":77742},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525.jpg","path":null,"size":10.47,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":10470}},"hash":"B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":2599.65,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/B18_V3_Transfer_Tube_a2507080525_dab86ea975.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:13.517Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:13.517Z","documentId":"ky2vg082xq1uqrv65mliloit","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:13.518Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1223,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The fuel transfer tube, which channels cryogenic fuel from the main tank to the 33 Raptor engines, has been completely redesigned and is now roughly the size of a Falcon 9 first stage. This new design enables all 33 engines to start up simultaneously and faster, more reliable flip maneuvers.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1224,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The aft end thermal protection system has been redesigned, with propulsion and avionics systems now tightly integrated to coordinate the distribution of fluids, power, and networking to the 33 Raptor engines. Large individual engine shrouds have been eliminated, and shielding has been added to the surface area between engines and around the thrust vector control hardware on the inner 13 engines. The carbon dioxide fire suppression system has been removed following the deletion of the aft cavity and engine shrouds.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1225,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Finally, the booster has gone from a single quick disconnect, which is the primary path for loading fuel and oxidizer into the vehicle, to two physically separated connection points. This change provides additional redundancy between the pad and vehicle connections while allowing the supporting mechanisms to be smaller and less complex.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1226,"heading":"Starship V3 Change Highlights","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1240,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship V3 incorporates a clean-sheet redesign of its propulsion systems. These changes enable a new Raptor startup method, increase propellant tank volume, and improve the reaction control system used for steering while in flight. The propulsion updates also reduce contained volumes in the aft end of the vehicle that could trap propellant leakage.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":144,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7062,"name":"S39_6-Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3607,"height":2029,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588.jpg","hash":"large_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_S39_6-Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114.jpg","path":null,"size":61.92,"width":1000,"height":562,"sizeInBytes":61918},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588.jpg","hash":"small_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_S39_6-Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114.jpg","path":null,"size":20.75,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":20753},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588.jpg","hash":"medium_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_S39_6-Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114.jpg","path":null,"size":38.81,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":38811},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_S39_6-Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114.jpg","path":null,"size":7.14,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":7144}},"hash":"S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":655.84,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/S39_6_Engine_Static_Fire_04142600114_d9f1acc588.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:24.751Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:24.751Z","documentId":"dsyhhonlvh2urlo1j3adkhyj","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:24.752Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1227,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Aft end fluid and electrical systems have been rerouted allowing for the deletion of individual engine shrouds and the large aft close-out volume, which previously required extensive environmental control. The aft flap actuation system has also been upgraded from two actuators per flap to a single actuator with three motors. This improves redundancy for return-to-launch-site operations while reducing mass and cost.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1228,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The Starlink PEZ Dispenser mechanism has been enhanced with new actuators and inverters, increasing deployment speed for each satellite.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1229,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship is now designed to be capable of long-duration flights with more efficient reaction control systems, isolation valves for high-pressure gases, 100% vacuum jacketing coverage of the header feed system, a high-voltage electrically actuated cryogenic recirculation system, and a dedicated system for managing cryogenic propellant interactions with the engines during extended coasts in space. Four docking drogues have also been added on the leeward side of the vehicles to enable docking with other Starships, along with propellant feed connections for ship-to-ship propellant transfer.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1230,"heading":"Avionics","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1231,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Starship and Super Heavy V3 will debut advanced avionics capabilities designed for high flight-rate, full reusability, and enhanced reliability. At the heart of the two vehicle systems, approximately 60 custom avionics units integrate batteries, inverters, and high-voltage electrical distribution into single assemblies, capable of delivering ~9MW of peak power across the vehicles with distributed fault isolation. The upgraded multi-sensor navigation is designed for precision autonomous flight with high redundancy across all phases of upcoming missions and environmental conditions. New precision radio frequency sensors for measuring propellant levels in microgravity should enable accurate propellant monitoring ahead of upcoming in-space propellant transfer operations. And finally, upgraded cameras will provide approximately 50 views to give comprehensive vehicle coverage while powered by 480Mbps of redundant high-speed and low-latency Starlink real-time connectivity.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1232,"heading":"Raptor 3 Change Highlights","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1241,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Raptor 3 engines deliver increased thrust, with sea-level variants now producing 250 tf (551,000 lbf) up from 230 tf (507,000 lbf), while vacuum engines produce 275 tf (606,000 lbf) up from 258 tf (568,000 lbf).","listItems":[],"image":{"id":145,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7060,"name":"Raptor_V3_McG_20240802_1w3a8289.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2561,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3.jpg","hash":"large_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_Raptor_V3_McG_20240802_1w3a8289.jpg","path":null,"size":117.34,"width":1000,"height":667,"sizeInBytes":117337},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3.jpg","hash":"small_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_Raptor_V3_McG_20240802_1w3a8289.jpg","path":null,"size":33.11,"width":500,"height":333,"sizeInBytes":33108},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3.jpg","hash":"medium_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_Raptor_V3_McG_20240802_1w3a8289.jpg","path":null,"size":68.58,"width":750,"height":500,"sizeInBytes":68577},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_Raptor_V3_McG_20240802_1w3a8289.jpg","path":null,"size":8.29,"width":234,"height":156,"sizeInBytes":8290}},"hash":"Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1079.94,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/Raptor_V3_Mc_G_20240802_1w3a8289_daa3a51ef3.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:12.778Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:12.778Z","documentId":"ji7dunew679xs4xu6cusnjso","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:12.779Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1233,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Sensors and controllers are now internally integrated and covered by engine thermal protection, eliminating the need for individual engine shrouds on both Starship and Super Heavy. All engine variants will also now feature a redesigned ignition system.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1234,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Mass of the Raptor sea-level engines has been reduced to 1,525 kg from 1,630 kg. Overall vehicle-level mass savings reach approximately 1 ton per engine through simplification of the engine itself, vehicle-side commodities, and supporting hardware.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1235,"heading":"Starbase Launch Pad 2 Change Highlights ","paragraph":null,"listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1242,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Flight 12 will mark the first launch from Pad 2 at Starbase. The propellant farm that stores the required commodities has been upgraded with increased storage capacity and significantly more pumps, enabling much faster vehicle filling for launch.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":146,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7065,"name":"B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":12125,"height":6820,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256.jpg","hash":"large_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611.jpg","path":null,"size":87.58,"width":1000,"height":562,"sizeInBytes":87579},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256.jpg","hash":"small_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611.jpg","path":null,"size":27.71,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":27708},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256.jpg","hash":"medium_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611.jpg","path":null,"size":54.19,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":54193},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611.jpg","path":null,"size":8.48,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":8476}},"hash":"B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":5257.15,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/B19_Lift_Pad2_2603083611_083bb17256.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:34.984Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:34.984Z","documentId":"ypb18kbkhdhfcst46gnvignk","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:34.984Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1243,"heading":null,"paragraph":"On the launch tower, the chopsticks are now shorter, allowing faster motion to better track vehicles during catch operations. Their main actuators have been changed from hydraulic to electromechanical to improve speed, redundancy, and reliability. The quick disconnect arm for loading propellant into the Starship upper stage has been strengthened, repackaged, and now rotates farther away from the rocket during launch.","listItems":[],"image":{"id":147,"caption":null,"style":null,"image":{"id":7063,"name":"20260415_BOOSTER19_STATIC_FIRE-924.jpg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":3840,"height":2160,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/large_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789.jpg","hash":"large_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"large_20260415_BOOSTER19_STATIC_FIRE-924.jpg","path":null,"size":61.61,"width":1000,"height":563,"sizeInBytes":61612},"small":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/small_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789.jpg","hash":"small_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"small_20260415_BOOSTER19_STATIC_FIRE-924.jpg","path":null,"size":18.95,"width":500,"height":281,"sizeInBytes":18950},"medium":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/medium_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789.jpg","hash":"medium_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"medium_20260415_BOOSTER19_STATIC_FIRE-924.jpg","path":null,"size":36.87,"width":750,"height":422,"sizeInBytes":36865},"thumbnail":{"ext":".jpg","url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/thumbnail_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789.jpg","hash":"thumbnail_20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789","mime":"image/jpeg","name":"thumbnail_20260415_BOOSTER19_STATIC_FIRE-924.jpg","path":null,"size":6.29,"width":245,"height":138,"sizeInBytes":6288}},"hash":"20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789","ext":".jpg","mime":"image/jpeg","size":1262.44,"url":"https://sxcontent9668.azureedge.us/cms-assets/assets/20260415_BOOSTER_19_STATIC_FIRE_924_271042d789.jpg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"strapi-provider-upload-azure-storage","provider_metadata":null,"folderPath":"/106/814","createdAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:24.788Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:24.788Z","documentId":"ea4rck0mo2uwb130n6k1m0c4","locale":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-11T21:24:24.789Z"}},"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1236,"heading":null,"paragraph":"The launch mount structure and hold-downs have been completely redesigned to greatly improve load sharing, throwback reliability, and protection during vehicle fly-out. Inside the mount, a new bidirectional flame diverter and top-deck flame deflector are designed to eliminate ablation and the need for refurbishment on these surfaces after launch. And the launch mount quick disconnects for Super Heavy propellant loading have been moved to the opposite side of the mount and split into separate methane and oxygen mechanisms. The various vent valves, isolation valves, and filters for booster fluid fill have been relocated into a hardened bunker on the side of the launch mount, designed to greatly reduce the distance to the rocket while isolating oxygen and methane systems into separate rooms for safety.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null},{"id":1237,"heading":null,"paragraph":"Together, these new elements are designed to enable a step-change in Starship capabilities and aim to unlock the vehicle’s core functions, including full and rapid reuse, in-space propellant transfer, deployment of Starlink satellites and orbital data centers, and the ability to send people and cargo to the Moon and Mars.","listItems":[],"image":null,"video":null,"mediaCarousel":null}]}]