Mega Bay 2 (MB2) is a Vertical Integration Facility located at Starbase that is used for Ship (Starship's Second Stage) assembly, including stacking operations, engine installation and payload intergration. It has the same base area and height as Mega Bay 1, but it features twice as many windows on the upper space, which appears to be an open non office space.
Mega Bay 2 features a different internal layout to Mega Bay 1 with the multi-purpose elevated work stands in the front left, back left and center back and a turntable in the back right. Additionally a PEZ dispenser install stand is located in the front right corner for new ship+payload bay stacks.
Mega Bay 2 was first occupied by Ship 29 (S29) on December 29, 2023 however debuted its first ship stacking with block 2 Ship 33 (S33) recently completed and Ship 34 (S34) undergoing stacking during IFT 5 broadcast. It is also speculated that IFT 5 successfull flight is celebrated at the office area of the Megabay. Light shows are also visible with Mechazilla appearing on the right side of the facility. Currently Mega Bay 2 is occupied by Ship 34 (S34) on the front right engine install stand, and Ship 35 (S35) on the back left turntable, undergoing stacking.
History[]
Although ground work started earlier, the first vertical columns of Mega Bay 2 were raised on the 20th of May 2023 and the final pre-fabricated section was installed on the 5th of August 2023. Mega Bay 2 was built using these sections to significantly reduce construction time. However after the final pre-fabricated section was installed a large amount of vertical and horizontal columns were still placed to construct the top of the bay where office space is located. The first windows were installed in this area on the 2nd of December 2023, signifying the near completion of the external structure.
Mega Bay 2 was first occupied by Ship 29 (S29) on December 29, 2023, and remained occupied until February 25, 2024. During this time, Ship 29 was located on a front left engine installation stand. However after S29's departure from the bay, this stand was fully disassembled and transported to the Sanchez Site. A second stand was then gradually assembled in the center back of the bay, which was then occupied by Ship 30 (S30) from April 4, 2024.
The original stand from the front left was then transported back to Mega Bay 2 and began being re-assembled in back left of the bay just before mid-April 2024. At the same time a turntable was spotted in the back right of the bay however it remains unclear whether the turntable is installed here or will be installed in the front right mirroring the layout of Mega Bay 1. Subsequently on April 17, 2024, legs for a 3rd Starship work stand were placed in the front left corner of the bay in the original position of the first work stand.
On May 1, 2024, S30 rolled out of Mega Bay 2 and on May 5, 2024, S26 rolled into Mega Bay 2. On May 7 a three ring barrel labelled “MB2 Dev Assembly” rolled into Mega Bay 2 to commission/test the robot welders. On May 8 S26 was lifted onto the Static Fire Stand and departed Mega Bay 2 for Massey's.
Timeline[]
- December 29, 2023 - S29 moved from High Bay to Mega Bay 2
- February 25, 2024 - S29 moved from Mega Bay 2 to High Bay
- April 4, 2024 - S30 moved from High Bay to Mega Bay 2
- May 1, 2024 - S30 moved from Mega Bay 2 to Starbase Launch/Testing Site
- May 5, 2024 - S26 moved from Rocket Garden to Mega Bay 2
- May 7, 2024 - Three ring barrel labeled “MB2 Dev Assembly” moved from Starfactory to Mega Bay 2
- May 8, 2024 - S26 moved from Mega Bay 2 to Massey Outpost
Gallery[]
