Starbase, July 10, 2025 — SpaceX has taken a significant step forward in its Starship development by installing a redesigned fuel transfer tube into the inaugural next‑generation Super Heavy booster .
🔧 What’s New?
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The newly upgraded transfer tube, roughly the same length and diameter as a Falcon 9 first stage, channels cryogenic fuel—both methane and liquid oxygen—from the Super Heavy’s main tank to its 33 Raptor engines .
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By improving flow efficiency and system robustness, the tube supports faster, more reliable flip maneuvers and enables simultaneous engine ignition, key for landing precision and overall flight safety .
🚀 Why It Matters
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Ensures consistent fuel delivery during complex operations like booster flip and stage separation.
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Vital for achieving full reusability, allowing smoother booster recovery and quicker turnaround.
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With fueling performance improvements, the Super Heavy booster inches closer to handling the massive 3,650 tonnes of propellant expected in the next-gen version, generating over 8,200 tonnes of thrust .
🗓️ What’s Next
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The upgraded booster stands at approximately 72.3 m tall, with a planned deployment timeline in late 2025 or early 2026 .
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Final engine checkout and integration tests will follow, ahead of the Starship flight campaign to support upcoming orbital launches and beyond.
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