Enlarge / SpaceX has rapidly grown its Starship production facilities over the last six months. Here's a view from the east side in late February. (credit: Eric Berger)
A little less than two months have passed since SpaceX unexpectedly destroyed its latest Starship prototype in South Texas. Shortly after a static-fire test of this vehicle in late May, dubbed Serial Number 4 or SN4, an issue with the ground systems prompted a dramatic explosion, destroying the large vehicle and seriously damaging its test stand.
Since that failure, SpaceX has, if anything, accelerated work in South Texas. The company completed development of a second test stand for Starship and began construction of several new prototypes. In addition to finishing SN5—which was moved to the test stand earlier this month—components of the sixth, seventh, and even eighth Starship vehicles are in various states of construction at SpaceX's South Texas rocket factory.
There have also been signs that SpaceX may begin development and testing of the Super Heavy rocket relatively soon in South Texas. This is the gargantuan first-stage rocket that will power the Starship vehicle, which is the upper stage, into low-Earth orbit. NASASpaceflight.com's weekly video update from Boca Chica showcased development of both a high bay in which to stack the Super Heavy rocket, as well as preliminary construction of a launch pad.
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