Pad B (Starbase)

Stub

This article is a stub. You can help Starship SpaceX Wiki by expanding it.

Pad B (Starbase) is the second launch pad at SpaceX's launch facility in Starbase, Boca Chica, Texas. As of May 2025, the pad is under construction with the tower (OLIT-3) fully erected. In contrast to Pad A, SpaceX is building a large flame trench to increase safety and decrease the risk of damage to the launch infrastructure.

Pad B was built in the area of the previous Suborbital Launch Site (SoLS). It is not to be confused with the previous Pad B at the SoLS.

Sections

OLIT-3

Main article: Orbital Launch and Integration Tower 3 (OLIT-3)

The Orbital Launch and Integration Tower 3 (OLIT #3) is the second launch tower of the Starbase launch site. Despite its designation, it is often referred to as Tower 2 due to the second tower being located at Cape Canaveral. Stacking of OLIT-3 was completed on 21 August 2024, and it features an all-metal base integrated into the structure.

The tower stands 474 feet (144.5 meters) tall, similar to OLIT-1. It is part of SpaceX's expansion efforts at Starbase, with Pad B expected to become operational in 2025. Alongside the tower, a new orbital launch mount (OLM-B) is under construction, incorporating a quadradic design and a water-cooled upper layer.

By January 2025, key components such as the chopsticks had been installed, preparing the tower for integration and future launch operations.

Orbital Launch Mount and Flame trench

The Orbital Launch Mount experienced a complete redesign compared to Pad A, where teams had to install a water cooled plate under the OLM to reduce damage. In order to reduce repair work after every launch, SpaceX now opted for the construction of a flame trench, a reinforced, heat-resistant channel beneath the OLM that will direct and dissipate the intense exhaust flames and heat during liftoff. The redesign was mentioned by Elon Musk to Everyday Astronaut in June 2024 and foundation work started on 13 January 2025. The ground was reached in early February 2025, concrete was poured in March and first wall sections for the trench were installed on 21 March 2025. In April, the diverter buckets and (first) support columns were installed.

First wall piece for the flame trench delivered on 20 March 2025. c Starship Gazer

Roll out of flame diverter parts on 11-12 April 2025. c Jack Beyer for NSF

As of 18 April 2025, the flame bucket is installed in the flame trench, with water deluge plumbing nearing completion. c RGV Aerial Photography

Arrival of the first of the support columns OLM B will sit on on 19 April 2025. c ChromeKiwi / NSF cams

On 19 April 2025, the first support column for the OLM at Pad B was rolled out to the launch site. The bolt patterns match the ones on the supports that are currently holding the OLM at the Sanchez Site. This fueled speculation about the possibility that the OLM would be in some sort interchangeable or could at least be more easily removed for repairs and upgrades than it is the case with a welded OLM.

On 6 May 2025, the mostly completed OLM was rolled out to Pad B after many months of construction and work. On 12 May 2025, the OLM was installed on top of the support columns at the Pad B launch site, bring the site closer to an operational status where it can support a Starship launch on one of the upcoming flights at some point in the near future.