Booster 16 (B16) is a Super Heavy booster prototype. Stacking commenced on the 16th of October 2024 and was completed on the 26th of December 2024 in 71 days. B16 might fly in Starship Flight Test 9, however, is unknown if B14 will be used instead.
B16 is currently located at the Massey Outpost, awaiting rollback after completeing cryogenic proof testing.
History[]
On the 15th of October 2024, B16's first two aft tank sections were rolled into Mega Bay 1 and stacking was commenced the following day. Stacking was completed 71 days later on December 26th 2024. B16 was lifted onto the thrust simulator stand on the 27th of February 2025 and rolled to the Massey Outpost on the 28th.
Timeline[]
- 15 Oct 2024: B16 CX:4 and A2:4 moved into MB1
- 15-16 Oct: B16 CX:4 stacked on A2:4 creating M:8
- 30 Oct: B16 M:8 stacked onto A3:4 making M:12
- 6 Nov: B16 M:12 stacked onto A4:4 making M:16
- 14 Nov: B16 M:16 stacked onto A5:4 making M:20
- 15 Nov: B16 Downcomer installed in M:20
- 23 Nov: B16 AX:4 moved
- s into MB1
- 25 Nov: B16 M:20 stacked onto AX:4s creating B16 A:24
- 5 Dec: B16 FX:3 moved into MB1
- 5 Dec: B16 F2:3 moved into MB1
- 11 Dec: B16 F:6 stacked on F3:3 creating F:9
- 13 Dec: B16 F:9 stacked onto F4:4 creating F:13
- 26 Dec: B16 F:13 stacked onto A:24 completing the stack after 71 days
- 27 Feb: B16 lifted onto thrust simulator and rolled out of MB1
- 28 Feb: B16 rolled out to Massey's
- 01 Mar: B16 cryo proof test of CH4 tank.
Testing Campaign[]
| Date | Test type | Outcome | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2025 | Cryogenic Proof | Success | Booster 16 conducted a cryogenic proof test of its CH4 tank. |
| 03 March 2025 | Cryogenic Proof | Success | Booster 16 conducted a cryogenic proof test of its LOX tank. |
27-28 February 2025 - Roll out[]
Timeline according to LabPadre discord:
- 13:25, 14:48 Booster simulator stand and booster load spreader staged in front of mega bay 1 for B16 roll out
- 21:40 Lifted onto the shucker
- 22:25 B16 exited mega bay 1
- 01:25 Entered hwy 4
- 04:03 Arrived at Massey's test site
28 February 2025 - Cryo proof test[]
B16 cryo proof test. c LabPadre
Booster 16 conducted it's first cryogenic proof test at Massey's test site. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:
- 18:22 Cryo loading underway since a few minutes
- 22:19 Detanking complete
Gallery[]