Not enough engines? Why SpaceX might be retiring unused Starship boosters!?

What's new at SpaceX's Starbase? When can we see Super Heavy Booster 4 do a first static fire, and what's happening with Starship 21's heat shield? Why exactly did SpaceX move a completely new booster to the retirement parking lot, and finally, what's so special about Rocket Lab's latest Neutron Rocket update? Let's find out!

Editing: Bryan McGarey
Starman animations by Tashanimation
Photography: Kevin Randolph & Luis Rodriguez

RGV Aerial Photography - Become a Flight-Supporter!

Credit:

⭐SpaceX
⭐RGV Aerial Photography on Twitter: @RGVaerialphotos
⭐RGV Aerial Photography on YouTube: @RGV Aerial Photography
⭐C-bass Productions on YouTube: @CbassProductions

⭐Rocket Lab

✔️Twitter: @FelixSchlang

📄Links for this Episode:

[Whataboutit]

What do you think? Will SpaceX ever fly Booster 5, or is it going to retire without ever seeing any action?

[wyattglen]

I was 6 when I got to watch Neil step off into the lunar dust. Both parents and siblings who were there with me are all gone now.
I am so grateful to still being here to see us go back.
Well done, sir. Keep 'em coming.

[RogerM]

Rocket Lab has a big advantage in their Neutron development than other Rocket Companies. Using 3D printing, becomes handy at the prototyping phase, allowing quick design changes.

[biscrenson]

I highly doubt they’re retiring BN5, they just need more room in the high bay for SN21 and eventually SN22 or even BN6. No different to having back up Starships during the SN8-15 campaign

[Jinkguns]

I don't think the booster is being retired, it is probably being stored. There is no other place for it at the site. I am almost 100 percent sure booster 5 will fly if Raptor 1s are still in production. I am interested to see if they skip 6 and 7, and go to the 33 engine booster 8 with Raptor 2s. I think that's what they want to do, but Raptor 2 bottleneck is what is endangering the roadmap.

[shawndouglass]

Welcome aboard Brian, I think you will like your new gig😉

[scoremat]

From Peter Beck's presentation, my biggest personal take away way is how their 3D composite production is measured in meters per hour, as opposed to metal printing which is measured in millimeters per hour. That's a big wow!!

[kevinprice]

Rocket Lab = pure brilliance .. Peter Beck has a great vision I wish his company well.

[SiddharthPrabhu]

I think you meant to say 75 MN, not 7.5 MN since each Raptor generates approximately 2.3 MN of thrust.

[timothynjewa]

I think the idea by Rocket Lab to keep the fairing permanently attached to the first stage will be brilliant when they engineer it.

[alejolab]

Ouch, wrong footage at 4:25, we are missing the views of the mega bay.
Thanks for all the updates :D

[afrikanking]

Hi Bryan you doing a fantastic Job. thank you for joining team What about it!!!

[catbertz]

That new look of the Neutron looks so futuristic to my esthetic. Love it!

[JanneWolterbeek]

I realized I watch this channel almost never, now I’ll make sure I don’t miss a beat. It’s fantastic, and the production value is super high!

[briankachelman]

Great stuff as always!!! Your field photographer Chief is freaking awesome!!! Much thanks Chief!!!

[stephenlisle]

You know you have a serious space company when the actual booster production is way ahead of engine production!! Will Raptor V2 be compatible with older boosters and ships does anyone know? A lot of answers we want and hopefully will get in the next update press conference hopefully! Let's fund WAI to attend this conference to ask his amazing theory's! Love this channel btw Felix.

[thechanceogden]

Love the episode! You said B4 instead of B5 though. 2:28 and 2:40 Also, something weird happened here? 4:27 Not being critical whatsoever! Just trying to help! :D

[MrHichammohsen]

4:25 you have the wrong clip playing there Felix :( sorry for this but happy to see you back finally!

[gradmiral]

Rocket Labs Neutron has a great design. The conical shape to dissipate heat on re-entry makes total sense. The idea of the first stage flying to space, coughing up a fur ball, and returning home with the fairings is very elegant. I'll be very interested to see second-stage renderings for cargo and crew.

[stephenreese]

My thought is that BN5 is being “parked” out of the High Bay to make room for a new booster build (possibly BN7?). WAI?