SpaceX's new support ship 'Doug' arrives in Port Canaveral

Space Explored By Seth Kurkowski August 31, 2021

Late Monday evening one of SpaceX's new support ships finished its trek from Louisiana and arrived at SpaceX's east coast base in Port Canaveral. Image: Jared Locke / Space Explored

Doug is an offshore supply ship that SpaceX acquired several months ago but it only came to surface just recently that they are theirs. Image: Glenn cdag

Doug, alongside its twin Bob, was built in Houma, Louisiana and then moved to Port Fourchon for sea trials. Bob was still there when Hurricane Ida made direct landfall there over the weekend but so far looks to have survived. Image: Rep. Garret Graves

The big additions to Bob and Doug have been a large crane to the back and an upper beck section before it. This is believed to be added as it will take over duties as SpaceX's fairing recovery but its duties don't stop there. Image: Jared Locke / Space Explored

Bob and Doug have also been rumored to be capable of acting as tugs for SpaceX's 2 east coast droneships, A Shortfall of Gravitas and Just Read The Instructions. It will most likely also act as the crew support ship, replacing several contracted vessels. Image: Jared Locke / Space Explored

The possible first mission for the newly arrived ship could be SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission . They are planning on launching on September 15th, enough time for Doug to finish sea trials and support the first civilian mission to orbit. Image: Inspiration4

As of now, Doug is currently docked at SpaceX's area at the north cargo piers awaiting orders as to what to do next. Image: Jared Locke / Space Explored