Elon Musk says SpaceX’s second Starship booster prototype is almost finished
TESLARATI By Eric Ralph 6/25/2021
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says that the second Starship booster prototype is “almost done” and has revealed that work on the first flightworthy booster has yet to begin.
For unknown reasons, SpaceX has recently changed the naming scheme for Starship and Super Heavy boosters. The booster SpaceX is currently assembling in Boca Chica has been referred to as “Booster 2” by Musk himself but, according to NASASpaceflight, is internally known as Booster 3 or B3, replacing its former Booster Number 3 (BN3) designation.
Regardless, SpaceX began stacking the Super Heavy booster prototype now known as B3 in mid-May. Around six weeks later, 23 or 24 rings have been stacked to create a partially finished prototype 9m (~30 ft) wide and approximately 42m (~140 ft) tall.
We’re almost done with first prototype booster. This will go to test stand A. Next one will fly to orbit. Team has been crushing it many days & nights in a row!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 25, 2021
Super Heavy Booster forward dome with some interesting new modifications. Booster 2 lifted in High Bay for stacking on aft section. Also, what looks like a starship forward dome was sleeved with the unknown section from yesterday. Maybe some kind of test tank? @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/n8Attvv7X7
— Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) June 15, 2021
Just like Super Heavy ‘pathfinder’ BN1, which was scrapped almost the instant it reached its full height last March, Booster 3 appears to destined to stand 36 rings – 65m (~215 ft) – tall once complete. While drastically oversimplifying the process of vertically assembling the largest rocket booster ever built, that means that Super Heavy B3 is just shy of two-thirds (~65%) complete.
More:
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-booster-prototype-progress-elon-musk/