SpaceX prepares launch pad for Starship booster catch

SpaceXers have been hard at work the last few months, not just getting a second launch tower in place, but making modifications to the company’s first tower. All this is planned for SpaceX‘s next Starship launch, which we expect will feature the first “catch” of a rocket booster.

SpaceX teams have been working around the clock down in Starbase to get the launch pad area ready for the next launch. While normally this will take a few weeks to months to inspect the pad, make fixes/upgrades, and then prepare for the next launch, this time teams have been focusing a lot of time making changes to the tower’s catch arms.

More affectionately called “The Chopsticks,” these massive arms sticking out from the launch tower are designed to catch Starship’s booster as it comes back to land. They also assist in assembling the rocket, lifting the booster onto the launch mount and the upper stage on top of the booster.

For the last four launches, SpaceX has attempted to safely splash the rocket stages into the ocean, the booster in the Gulf of Mexico, and the upper stage in the Indian Ocean. However, for flight five, SpaceX is expected to attempt the first catch of the booster.

This has required the FAA to re-approve another launch license to SpaceX, which is likely the main holdup.

However, it looks like someone at SpaceX might have seen a problem with the current chopstick design, as for the last few weeks, reinforcements have been seen being installed all over the arms.

Secondly, new landing “pads” were installed on the arms that would give a crumple zone where the booster and arms make contact. These span across almost the entire arm and can even be moved up or down.

Another big move for the pad was the long-time gate guardian of the pad, Starhopper.

What was once an early test bed for Raptor development and flight data was turned into a platform to attach cameras, speakers, and sensors for spaceport operations. It was the first vehicle to take flight at Starbase and has sat there ever since.

SpaceX picked it up and moved the vehicle across the street, outside the walls of the launch facility. This was presumably to protect it in case the catch failed, although if it did, I don’t think much would be safe in that area.

Some guesses have put Starship’s fifth flight to be just a few weeks away, while others believe it is still far away. With the FAA still reviewing the launch license and a CNBC report claiming SpaceX dumped wastewater through its deluge system, there’s a chance the review could be longer than expected.

I’m sure if you ask Elon, he’ll say the launch is just a few weeks away.