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Booster 13 (B13) is a Super Heavy booster prototype destroyed in the Gulf of Mexico. B13 flew on Starship Flight Test 6 with Ship 31 (S31).

The first parts of B13 were spotted in December 2022 and stacking began in September 2023, and it appeared to have some noticeable differences compared to previous boosters such as a new style of FTS (Flight Termination System) box on the bottom of its CH4 tank. Furthermore, its original common dome section was re-assigned to become Booster 13.1 (B13.1).

B13 was also the first Booster to have a Booster Cap installed on it to prevent foreign object debris from entering the top of the forward section of the Booster after the cap was test fitted on Booster 14.1 (B14.1).

History[]

First parts were spotted in December 2022 and on September 5, 2023, Booster 13 began stacking in Mega Bay 1 with its common dome section (CX:4) stacked onto its first aft tank section (A2:4), creating B13 M:8. On September 13, B13 M:8 was stacked on B13 A3:4, forming M:12. On September 18, B13 M:12 was stacked on A4:4, resulting in M:16. On September 28, B13 M:16 was stacked on A5:4, creating M:20. Finally, on February 3, 2024, M:20 was stacked on its CH4 tank section, creating B13.

Prior to roll out for cryogenic proof testing to the Massey Outpost B13 was fitted with a Booster Cap on April 24th and rolled out on the 25th where the prototype completed 1 test of its CH4 tank on 26/27 and 1 test of its LoX tank on the 29th. B13 was then rolled back to the Mega Bay 1 on May 3rd where the Booster Cap was uninstalled.

On 22nd of October 2024, just 9 days after the launch and landing of Booster 12 on flight test 5, B13 was rolled out to the Launch Site and it was raised on the OLM. The booster conducted an ambient test and a static fire test. On 26th of October 2024, it was rolled back to the production site. On November 7th 2024, B13's Hot Stage Ring was rolled into Mega Bay.

Technical upgrades[]

As of 02 of September 2023, a common dome section believed to be slated for B14 was staged outside mega bay 1 with several visible changes: extra LOX ullage vent on each side, modified autogenous pressurization pipework.[1]

Timeline[]

Click to view the pre-stacking timeline:
  • 1 Dec 2022: B13 AS:4s in Ring Yard.
  • 10 Jan 2023: Likely B13 aft dome seen in main yard.
  • 6 Feb 2023: B13 AX:4s assembled and still tipped, all LOX stringers are installed.
  • 15 Feb 2023: B13 FS:3 spotted in SFC.
  • 20 Mar 2023: B13 FD moved to Starfactory.
  • 2 Sep 2023: Booster common dome section, possibly for B13, staged outside Mega bay 1. Several visible changes: extra LOX ullage vent on each side, modified autogenous pressurization pipework.
  • 5 Sep 2023: B13 CX:4 and A2:4 move into the Mega bay.
Click to view stacking timeline:
  • 5 Sep 2023: B13 CX:4 is stacked on A2:4 creating B13 M:8
  • 13 Sep 2023: B13 A3:4 moves into the Mega bay for stacking.
  • 13 Sep 2023: B13 M:8 is stacked on A3:4 creating M:12.
  • 14 Sep 2023: B13 A4:4 staged in front of the Mega Bay.
  • 18 Sep 2023: B13 A4:4 moves into the Mega Bay for stacking.
  • 18 Sep 2023: B13: M:12 is stacked onto A4:4 creating M:16.
  • 20 Sep 2023: B13 aft tank #5 quad staged outside Mega bay 1.
  • 27 Sep 2023: B13 A5:4 moved into the Mega Bay for stacking.
  • 28 Sep 2023: B13 M:16 stacked with A5:4 creating M:20.
  • 4 Oct 2023: B13 has its downcomer installed.
  • 15 Jan 2024: B13 FX:3 stacked on F2:3 creating F:6.
  • 19 Jan 2024: B13 F:6 stacked on F3:3 making it F:9.
  • 25 Jan 2024: B13 F:9 stacked on F4:4 creating F:13.
  • 29 Jan 2024: B13 CO2 tanks installed, confirmed installed on February 2 in a tweet from SpaceX.
  • 3 Feb 2024: B13 CH4 tank section stacked on its LOX tank section.
Click to view post-stacking timeline:
  • 24 April 2024: Booster Cap installed on B13
  • 25 April 2024: B13 rolled to Massey Outpost
  • 26/27 April 2024: B13 CH4 tank Cryo
  • 29 April 2024: B13 LoX tank Cryo
  • 3 May 2024: B13 rolled back to Mega Bay 1 and Booster cap uninstalled
  • 22 October 2024: B13 rolled out to launch site for its static firing
  • 24 October 2024: B13 Static Firing
  • 25 October 2024: B13 rolled back to Mega Bay 1
  • 7 November 2024: B13 HSR staged in front of MB1
  • 14 November 2024: B13 rolled out to launch site and lifted on OLM for stacking

Testing campaign[]

Overview, without full stack tests:

Date Test type Outcome Details
26/27 April 2024 Cryogenic Proof Success Booster 13 conducted a successful cryogenic proof test of its CH4 tank.
29 April 2024 Cryogenic Proof Success Booster 13 conducted a successful cryogenic proof test of its LOX tank.
23 October 2024 Ambient testing Success Booster 13 conducted what appeared a successful ambient test.
24 October 2024 Static Fire Success Booster 13 conducted what appeared a successful static fire.

26/27 April 2024 - Cryo Proof Test[]

Booster 13 conducted a successful cryogenic proof test of its CH4 tank at Massey's test site.

29 April 2024 - Cryo Proof Test[]

Booster 13 conducted a successful cryogenic proof test of its LOX tank at Massey's test site.

23 October 2024 - Ambient Pressure Test[]

SpaceX conducted an Ambient Pressure Test. Not much information is known.

02/03 May 2024 - Roll back[]

B13 was rolled back from Massey's test site to the build site. A temporary road closure was set up from 12-3am. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

  • 23:32 B13 started to move towards hwy4 ahead of closure
  • 02:54 Entered mega bay 1

22-23 October 2024 - Roll out and Lift[]

Just 9 days after the launch and catch of B12, B13 was lifted onto the OLM. Timeline to LabPadre discord:
  • 08:43 B13 moved out of mega bay 1
  • 11:59 Chopsticks raised and opened
  • 12:24 B13 Entered hwy 4
  • 13:26 Arrived at launch site
  • 16:13 B13 moved between chopsticks
  • 17:24 SQD arm retracted
  • 19:25 Lift underway
  • 01:00 BQD attached
  • 01:24 Chopsticks released B13 and lowered

23 October 2024 - Venting[]

Timeline to LabPadre discord:

  • 17:31 Scaffolding removed from OLM
  • 18:07 Road closed
  • 19:34 Orbital Pad clear klaxon sounded
  • 20:09 Work platform lowered under OLM
  • 21:37 Pad clear
  • 06:01 After some venting, road was opened again and booster work platform returned

24 October 2024 - Static Fire[]

SpaceX conducted a static fire test on booster 13. An overpressure notice was issued to residents.[2] Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

  • 13:16 Road closed
  • 15:18 OLM work platform lowered, SQD arm swung away, chopsticks raised
  • 15:30 Road closed
  • 16:15 OLM vent started
  • 16:40 Venting and possibly cryo loading
  • 16:53 Road closure extended until 11pm (instead of 8pm)
  • 18:16 OLM vent returned to full strength; subcoolers chilling
  • 18:32 Cryo loading started with subcoolers started and OLM stopped
  • 18:36 New frost lines appeared on LOX and CH4 tanks
  • 18:49 Engine chill
  • 19:05 Prop load has/is being closed out
  • 19:11 Static Fire test
  • 19:26 Detanking
  • 21:08 Vehicles to pad; road open

25 October 2024 - Lift and roll back[]

B13 was rolled back to the production site. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

  • 05:13 OLM work platform "BAART" raised under B13
  • 07:43 Chopsticks closed and attached to B13
  • 15:21? SQD retracted
  • 16:26 Lift started
  • 16:36 Raised to catch position
  • 19:37 Chopsticks lowered from B13
  • 22:06 B13 entered hwy 4

14 November 2024 - Roll out and stacking[]

  • 15:33 B13 moved out of mega bay 1
  • 00:02 B13 entered hwy 4
  • 01:01 Arrived at launch site
  • 01:22 B13 moved between chopsticks
  • 2:00 ? SQD arm retracted
  • 06:40 Lift started
  • 07:30 B13 placed on OLM
  • 09:01 Chopsticks detached from B13

Gallery[]

References[]

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