"The Artist Formally Known as Ship 39?" | SpaceX Starbase

Why It Matters

The construction upgrades at Starbase signal SpaceX’s push toward rapid Starship launch cadence, reducing bottlenecks and strengthening its competitive edge in commercial and government space markets.

Key Takeaways

• Super Crusher receives new welding upgrades for increased capacity
• Ship 39's aft flaps show visible ice melt during cryo test
• New permanent scaffolding installed on ship stand for engine testing
• Pad 2 tower roof construction underway to shield launch infrastructure
• Crane lifts large pipe with spiral nozzle, indicating propellant upgrades

Summary

The video provides a walkthrough of recent construction and testing activities at SpaceX’s Starbase, highlighting upgrades to the Super Crusher, ongoing cryogenic testing on Ship 39, and new infrastructure on Launch Pad 2.

Key observations include welding on the Super Crusher’s top section, visible ice melt on Ship 39’s aft flaps during cryo tests, installation of permanent scaffolding (“ship stand”) that may align with engine mounts, and the erection of a roof over Pad 2’s tower to protect equipment from rocket blast.

The narrator notes, “The artist formerly known as Ship 39” and points out the spiral‑nozzle pipe and “crane bits” lifting large components, underscoring the scale of hardware being integrated. Visuals of the “chopsticks” landing‑gear mechanisms and the new flag‑styled markers illustrate both functional and branding details.

These upgrades suggest SpaceX is accelerating its readiness for higher‑frequency launches, especially for Starship’s orbital missions, while the infrastructure enhancements aim to improve safety, reduce turnaround time, and support larger payloads.

Original Description

Ship 39 (yes, we ARE still calling it that) underwent additional cryoproof testing at Massey's ahead of Flight 12, all while work around Starbase prepared the SpaceX site for a hopeful increase in launch cadence this year.

⚡ Become a member of NASASpaceflight's channel for exclusive Discord access, fast turnaround clips, and other exclusive benefits. Your support helps us continue our 24/7 coverage. Click JOIN above to get started.⚡

Narration by John "Das" Galloway.

🎥 Video from Ceaser G, Gage, Colleen, and Starbase Live.

✂️ Edited by Thomas Hayden (@_thomashayden).

🔍 If you are interested in using footage from this video, please review our content use policy: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content-use-policy/

L2 Boca Chica (more clips and photos) from BC's very early days to today.

🔗 https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47107.0

(Join L2 and support NSF here: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/)

Timestamps:

0:00 Parts Installed on Supercrusher

0:38 Forward Flaps Moved

0:47 Aft Flaps Moved

0:58 Ship 39 Cryo Test

1:28 S39.1 Moved Out of Massey’s

1:47 New Ship Stand Construction

2:33 Gigabay Construction

3:23 Ship 40’s Aft Section

3:41 Raceways Lifted Into MB2

3:59 Road Expansion

4:21 The Launch Site

4:35 Orbital Pad 2

5:10 New Pipe Installed

5:35 View Inside the Service Structure

5:50 Top of Pad 2’s Tower

6:10 Pad 2’s Ship QD Arm

6:54 Pad 2’s Chopsticks

7:03 Pad 2’s Chopsticks Raised

7:40 Chopsticks Lowered

7:50 Launch Site Expansion

8:37 Orbital Pad 1

9:11 Pad 1’s Chopsticks Manually Closed

9:26 Air Separation Unit

10:08 Work on the Pad 2 Perimeter Wall

10:25 Lift Moving to the Launch Site

10:43 Lunar Eclipse Over Starbase

LDAPAABJRG2UMCU3