SpaceX has moved a flight-proven Super Heavy booster to the launch pad at Starbase, signaling the next step in preparations for its upcoming Starship flight test. The move was confirmed in a post on the company’s X (formerly Twitter) account, showing the towering stainless steel booster positioned upright on the pad.
Photos reveal the booster secured at the base, surrounded by the familiar “chopstick” mechanical arms designed to handle stacking operations and future recovery efforts. Although the booster has flown before, this rollout reminds us that even seasoned hardware must undergo final checks before its next mission.
With the booster now in place, the next phases—static fire tests, final systems checks, and the stacking of the Starship upper stage—are likely imminent. Observers expect liftoff soon, assuming ground systems cooperate and there are no last-minute delays.
This development underscores how incremental and methodical SpaceX’s Starship development remains. Moving a used booster to pad isn’t routine; it’s a sign that they’re confident in its prior performance and ready to push forward.
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