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SpaceX Upgrades Starbase for Future Starship Launches

11/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

SpaceX is dismantling Pad 1 at Starbase, southern Texas, to upgrade it for future Starship launches.
Engineers are removing the Orbital Launch Mount's legs and the "chopstick" arms after the 11th test flight.
The upgrade adds a flame trench, water suppression, and a taller launch-tower base to standardize Pad 2 for Starship version 3's 12th test flight in early 2026, with NASA planning lunar and Martian missions after testing.

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Story summary

SpaceX is dismantling Pad 1 at Starbase, southern Texas, to upgrade it for future Starship launches.
Engineers are removing the Orbital Launch Mount's legs and the "chopstick" arms after the 11th test flight.
The upgrade adds a flame trench, water suppression, and a taller launch-tower base to standardize Pad 2 for Starship version 3's 12th test flight in early 2026, with NASA planning lunar and Martian missions after testing.