The Orbital Launch and Integration Tower (OLIT) is a crucial structure. It helps assemble Starships by lifting the Ship (Starship's Second stage) onto the Super Heavy Booster on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM). Additionally, the integration tower will also be utilized to catch the boosters during their return, ensuring a safe and controlled landing.
So far, only one integration tower is fully operational at Starbase. A second tower was built at LC-39A, although it is not yet functional, as the OLM is not finished yet, and there aren't Starships to launch from there. Components for a third tower are being transported to Starbase, while some parts that are not being shipped are currently being fabricated at the Sanchez Site. While the third tower is stacked, it lacks the chopsticks, and the OLM.
The towers will all feature a set of 'chopsticks' which are used to lift the Booster onto the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) and Ship onto the Booster. The chopsticks will also be used to catch returning Boosters.
According to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the integration tower is expected to reach a height of 469 or 479 feet. This enables the tower to effectively support the assembly and integration processes, ensuring the successful launch and recovery of Ships and Boosters.
Landing Animation by SpaceX (27 June 2024)[1]
Launch Towers[]
| Name | Location | Status | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLIT-1 | Starbase Texas | Completed, supported launches, catch testing underway | OLIT-1 |
| OLIT-2 | LC-39A, Cape Canaveral | Nearly completed, not yet functional | OLIT-2 |
| OLIT-3 | Starbase Texas | Also, nearly completed | OLIT-3 |
| OLIT-4 | Cape Canaveral | First parts spotted at Robert's Road | OLIT-4 |
History[]
06 April 2024 - Starship update[]
On Elon Musk's Starship Update, he announced that, if flight test 4's booster virtual catch and splashdown is successful, they would attempt a real catch attempt on flight test 5. He also announced, that SpaceX plans to have two launch towers both at Boca Chica and LC-39a, all to be finished some time in 2025.[2]
Animation of a booster catch.
FAA Statement from 2021:[]
"SpaceX is proposing a 469' tall launch tower with 10' lightning rod to lift its new rocket and booster on the launch mount, and to catch the super-heavy booster upon return from launch. The tower will be constructed out of structural steel trusses to allow the mechanical arms to lift vehicles. [...] Structure Height: 479"[3]
Work schedule is from 7 April 2021 to 30 July 2021.
