Booster 22 FIRES UP ahead of Flight 15 - Starbase Summary

Summary

The video reviews Starbase preparations for the next Starship flight, focusing on Booster 22’s installation on the launch mount and its static-fire test, alongside work on other ships and test facilities.

Main Operations and Observations

• Booster 22 rollout and installation: The booster was transported to Pad 2 on a transport stand. The launch tower’s chopsticks lifted it and placed it on the mount. The video shows the engine cluster, lifting hardware, safety features, and clearance between the engines and the launcher.
• Static fire: Booster 22 fired its engines while secured to the mount. Multiple cameras captured the event from different distances. The narration notes that exhaust pressure waves disturbed nearby vapor clouds, making them appear to flicker or change shape. It also points out the delay before the sound reached a distant camera.
• Wind and structural movement: The booster and equipment showed some movement in the wind. The narrator discusses the need for clearance around the engine bells and notes that fabric remained on nearby tents during the test.
• Ship 43 and test infrastructure: Ship 43 was moved toward Massey’s test area as it began a test campaign. The video describes the test stand as a way to conduct testing without repeatedly reinstalling equipment on the vehicle.
• Vehicle assembly: Starship components are built as modules and then stacked vertically in taller buildings such as the Mega Bays. Ship 40 was shown in Mega Bay 2, and the video briefly showed Ship 45’s nosecone stack.
• Other site work: A “pancake” section was added to the top deck of the Orbital Launch Mount. Cryogenic testing was shown for S39.1 and Ship 43, including ice melting from the exterior of the S39.1 test tank.
• Possible future plans: The narrator speculates that Ship 43 might eventually travel to Cape Canaveral for testing or a future launch, but presents this as uncertain.

Researchers and Sources Featured

No researchers are identified. People and sources mentioned or credited include:

• Gage — camera preparation and footage
• Caesar (Ceaser G) and Colleen — filming and aerial footage
• Colin — source of one camera view
• Elon Musk — cited by the narrator in connection with plans for the vehicle
• Starbase Live — footage source
• John Galloway — narration
• Thomas Hayden — editing