What SpaceX just Did with Starship after Booster 18 Incident will Blow Your Mind

SpaceX’s Starship program has always moved at a pace the aerospace world can barely keep up with—but what happened after the Booster 18 (B18) incident proved just how unstoppable the company truly is. While many expected a lengthy pause following the mishap, SpaceX immediately began dismantling B18, gathered crucial data, activated rapid-response engineering teams, and even started early work on Booster 19 (B19).

At the same time, launchpad upgrades continue, Falcon 9 sets a record-shattering milestone, and NASA reports major progress on Artemis II.

In this comprehensive breakdown, we’re diving deep into every development—so fasten your seatbelts because what SpaceX is doing right now is astonishing.

SpaceX’s Lightning-Fast Response to the Booster 18 Incident

When the Booster 18 anomaly took place, it was clear the event would slow things down. But slowdown does not mean stop, and SpaceX has proven that better than ever.

What SpaceX just Did with Starship after Booster 18 Incident

B18 Was Declared Unsalvageable—but Not Unusable

After engineers evaluated the booster, it became clear that B18 could not support future Starship operations. For most companies, that might have meant weeks of waiting and cleanup. But for SpaceX?

They turned the situation into an opportunity.

B18’s value now lies in the data it provides, not its flight potential. SpaceX is using every inch of damaged hardware as a learning tool for next-generation booster designs—especially the V3 variant that is already reshaping the Starship program.

Immediate Dismantling Begins

The speed of activity was jaw-dropping:

November 21st (Afternoon): A massive crane arrived at the Massey test site.
November 22nd (Morning): Teams began working on the damaged booster.
November 22nd (Afternoon): Major cutting operations officially began.

By that same evening, SpaceX had already separated the booster into its two main sections:

The liquid oxygen (LOX) tank
The methane tank

This method helped streamline analysis by allowing SpaceX to inspect each component independently.

Why the Tanks Were Cut the Way They Were

The methane tank, which appeared less damaged in specific areas, was cut into three pieces. Analysts believe:

The forward region near the hot staging ring took the least damage.
SpaceX may preserve that section for reference during future builds.

The LOX tank, however, suffered more significant deformation. Instead of further cutting, workers were seen welding new lifting points onto the dome on November 23rd. With the original lifting system removed during dismantling, new welds were necessary for safe transport and storage.

SpaceX Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

Despite losing B18 early, the SpaceX team is moving faster than ever.

Every step—from crane setup to final tank separation—occurred in under 48 hours. That level of efficiency signals a mindset:
Learn fast, adapt fast, build fast.

SpaceX has always said Starship development is iterative. B18 is now a data source, not a setback.

The Future Is Already Here—Work on Booster 19 Begins

Even as B18 was being cut apart, the future took shape.

B19 Stacking Could Begin Any Moment

SpaceX confirmed that the next Super Heavy booster is expected to be fully stacked in December, which aligns perfectly with their planned test campaign for Ship 30 and the upgraded V3 systems.

Considering we are at the end of November, B19 stacking could start next week.

Why so fast?
Because unlike the six-month build for B18—which included new V3 upgrades—SpaceX now has experience, streamlined processes, and a refined production line.

A realistic timeline places full B19 completion in early to mid-January 2026.

Flight 12 Could Happen Sooner Than Expected

SpaceX has confirmed the 12th Starship test flight remains targeted for Q1 2026.

Here’s how the schedule may play out:

January–February: Cryogenic tests + Static fires
Ship readiness: Already complete; waiting on ground system cleanup
Possible earliest launch: February 2026

If all goes smoothly—and that’s a big “if” in rocket development—the timeline is not just achievable, but likely.

Production Must Increase—and It Will

As Starship testing accelerates, multiple boosters and ships will be required simultaneously to maintain pace, ensure backups, and support a heavier test cadence.

SpaceX knows this.
Elon Musk knows this.
Starbase is already expanding production capacity inside the factory.

If you support the rapid-build approach, comment:
“Fast and Furious!”

Major Launchpad Upgrades at Starbase

Vehicle production isn’t the only thing accelerating. SpaceX is transforming both launchpads with significant upgrades.

Chopstick Overhauls on Pad 1

The iconic Mechazilla chopsticks—responsible for stacking and eventually catching Starship—are undergoing major redesigns:

The left chopstick arm already had its landing rail removed and its length reduced.
The right chopstick arm has now undergone the same modifications.

These changes will make the system lighter, stronger, and more precise—critical upgrades for future V3 vehicles equipped with new catching mechanisms.

Upcoming improvements include:

Revised catching pins
Higher-performance actuators
New rail geometries
Internal structural upgrades

SpaceX is preparing the chopsticks for the day they catch a Super Heavy booster in mid-air.

Pad 2’s New Ship QD Arm Installed

After weeks of adjustment work, the Pad 2 Ship Quick Disconnect (QD) arm has officially been lifted and installed.

This version looks completely redesigned compared to the Pad 1 QD:

Stronger steel base
Enclosed white frame (similar to crew access corridors in Florida)
More durable under heavy heat and vibration
More stable during liftoff

The only drawback?
The current configuration appears to use two fixed segments, offering less articulation than the Pad 1 arm.

It may be temporary—and future upgrades could increase flexibility.

Falcon 9 Reaches an Unbelievable Milestone—150 Launches in One Year

While Starship development captures headlines, Falcon 9 continues breaking record after record.

The 150th Launch of 2025

At 2:53 AM ET on November 22, a Falcon 9 lifted off from SLC-40 in Florida, carrying 29 payloads to orbit.

Everything—from satellite deployment to booster landing—went flawlessly.

This launch marked:

➡️ The 150th Falcon 9 launch of the year

This level of cadence is unprecedented:

Most rockets launch 1–2 times a year
Launching 10 times per year is typically considered extraordinary
SpaceX is now averaging a launch every ~2.4 days

Their annual goal is 170 launches, and with December still ahead, it is well within reach.

NASA’s Artemis II Hardware Reaches a Major Milestone

Starship isn’t the only spacecraft making progress.
NASA just announced a critical step toward returning humans to the Moon.

Orion Is Now Stacked on the SLS Rocket

Inside High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center, NASA successfully:

Lifted the Orion spacecraft
Mounted it atop the Space Launch System (SLS)

This stacking operation is a crucial milestone for Artemis II, scheduled to send astronauts around the Moon in early 2026.

Why Artemis II Matters

Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Its purpose:

Validate SLS performance
Test Orion’s life support systems
Perfect deep-space procedures
Return safely along a hybrid free-return trajectory

The crew includes:

Reid Wiseman (NASA)
Victor Glover (NASA)
Christina Koch (NASA)
Jeremy Hansen (CSA)

This mission will pave the way for lunar landings, the Gateway orbital station, and future Mars operations.

Orion Is Built for Deep-Space Adventure

The spacecraft includes:

Advanced navigation systems
Improved radiation shielding
Modern avionics
A massive new heat shield—the largest ever on a crewed spacecraft

During re-entry, Orion will slam back into Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 25,000 mph.

What Comes Next for SpaceX?

With B18 behind them and B19 advancing quickly, SpaceX is preparing for one of the busiest years in Starship history.

Here’s what’s on the near horizon:

B19 full stacking (December–January)
Cryogenic & static fire testing (January–February)
Ship 30 testing
Pad 1 and Pad 2 final upgrades
Starship Flight 12 (Q1 2026)
Increased factory production for future boosters
Potential first catch attempts in 2026

The Booster 18 incident may have changed the schedule—but not in the way most think.
Rather than slowing SpaceX down, it has accelerated improvements, clarified engineering priorities, and sped up Booster 19 development.

Final Thoughts

SpaceX’s reaction to the Booster 18 anomaly proves why the company is rewriting the rulebook for rocket development. Instead of delays and bureaucracy, they responded with:

Immediate dismantling
Rapid data acquisition
Faster new-booster production
Launchpad upgrades
Steady progress across all systems

Meanwhile, the Falcon 9 continues its unmatched launch streak, and NASA is making major progress on the road back to the Moon.

If this is how SpaceX ends the year, imagine how they will begin the next one.

FAQs

1. What happened to SpaceX’s Booster 18 (B18)?

Booster 18 experienced an incident during testing that caused significant structural damage. After engineers assessed it, the booster was declared unsalvageable for flight and was quickly dismantled to gather valuable data.

2. Why did SpaceX dismantle B18 so quickly?

SpaceX moves fast to minimize downtime. Dismantling B18 immediately allowed engineers to analyze its components quickly, apply lessons to future boosters, and accelerate work on Booster 19.

3. What was learned from the Booster 18 failure?

Although SpaceX hasn’t released detailed findings, the structural examination of the LOX and methane tanks will guide upgrades for future Super Heavy boosters, especially those using V3 hardware.

4. Is Booster 19 already under construction?

Yes. According to SpaceX updates, early work on B19 is underway, with full stacking expected as early as December.

5. When will Booster 19 be completed?

Estimates suggest B19 could be finished by early to mid-January 2026, thanks to improved production speed and experience gained from building previous boosters.

6. When is Starship Flight 12 expected to launch?

SpaceX is targeting Q1 2026 for the 12th flight test, with February looking like a realistic possibility if testing proceeds smoothly.

7. Why are the Starbase chopsticks being modified?

Upgrades to the chopsticks are needed to support the next generation of Starship vehicles, improve catching capability, reduce weight, and increase precision during stacking and recovery.

8. What’s new about the Pad 2 Ship Quick Disconnect (QD) arm?

The new Pad 2 QD arm has a stronger steel structure, better heat resistance, and a more stable design compared to the earlier version used on Pad 1.

9. How many Falcon 9 launches has SpaceX completed this year?

SpaceX recently completed its 150th Falcon 9 launch of the year, a record-breaking achievement in modern rocketry.

10. What is SpaceX’s launch goal for the year?

The company aims to complete 170 launches in total. With December still ahead, it remains achievable.

11. What is Artemis II?

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission of the Artemis program, designed to send astronauts around the Moon in preparation for future lunar landing missions.

12. Has Orion been stacked on the SLS for Artemis II?

Yes. NASA has successfully lifted and integrated the Orion spacecraft onto the Space Launch System rocket inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center.

13. Who are the Artemis II astronauts?

The Artemis II crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

14. What trajectory will Artemis II follow?

Artemis II will use a hybrid free-return trajectory, allowing the spacecraft to loop around the Moon and use gravity to return safely to Earth.

15. Why is production speed so important for SpaceX?

Starship’s future mission cadence will require multiple boosters and ships ready at all times. Faster production ensures backups, reduces delays, and supports ambitious launch schedules.

16. Could SpaceX catch a booster next year?

While not confirmed, the ongoing chopstick upgrades indicate that SpaceX is preparing for its first real catch attempt sometime in 2026, depending on testing outcomes.