Overview
Type: | Prototype |
---|---|
Class: | Super Heavy |
Status: | Scrapped |
Fate: | Disassembly started on 12 April 2021 |
Year Built: | 2021 |
Year Decomissioned: | 2021 |
History
Construction
BN1 is the first of the prototype Super Heavy boosters.
On 8 November 2020 SpaceX started stacking the components for BN1 together. As of 14 December BN1 was eight rings tall. By 12 March 2021 BN1 components had been moved to the High Bay and stacking operations had started with the methane section stacked onto the engine section.
Stacking took place on 18 March with the segments placed together with Musk announcing it as the first Super Heavy booster. He also stated that BN1 was a production pathfinder, for them to learn and gain experience building the boosters as well as transporting the 70m high stage. BN2 would be the first booster to actually fly.
On 31 March Elon Musk announced that BN1 would be scrapped in the future after serving its purpose, instead BN2 would have changes incorporated into it and they would aim to get it onto the orbital launch pad with engines by the end of April.
Viewers of the LabPadre live stream witnessed the beginnings of BN1 being disassembled late in the night on 12 April. Scrapping continued during 13 April with more pieces of BN1 being cut apart and moved for scrapping.
Milestones
All dates & times are local unless otherwise indicated.
Date | Type | Location | |
---|---|---|---|
18 March 2021 | Construction | Boca Chica, Texas | |
First Super Heavy booster to be stacked. | |||
12 April 2021 | Decomissioned | Boca Chica, Texas | |
BN1 is separated in the High Bay, process to scrap it begins. |
Media
Information Videos
Related
Looks like they are getting ready to stack #BN1 pic.twitter.com/FcA5S64lhU
— Philip Bottin (@BottinPhilip) March 18, 2021
SuperHeavy (BN1) is in the air and is being prepped for stacking!ππ pic.twitter.com/Emjt7NA4pq
— Austin Barnardπ (@austinbarnard45) March 18, 2021
A Booster BN1 stack is being raised in the high bay at SpaceX Boca Chica. ππ@NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/EYeJFNrxVQ
— Mary (@BocaChicaGal) March 18, 2021
It looks like we are about to see BoosterBN1 fully stacked!!!@NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/khMfTFn8ZF
— Mary (@BocaChicaGal) March 18, 2021
Wow.....Booster BN1 is fully stacked in the high bay. It has been another exciting day here at SpaceX Boca Chica. ππ@NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/K8ezUtTyf8
— Mary (@BocaChicaGal) March 18, 2021
#ICYMI #BN1 has been scrapped at 11:20 pm CST! BN1 was fully stacked about 1 month ago!@LabPadre pic.twitter.com/8NqZOqAjdr
— Everything Boca Chica (@GatewayToMars) April 13, 2021
The dismantling of BN1 has begun. π@NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/YZRvf1EvcL
— Mary (@BocaChicaGal) April 13, 2021