SpaceX’s Starship Mk1 prototype is already standing, just in time for this weekend’s presentation. In a tweet, CEO Elon Musk showcased the silver starship nearly ready for its time to shine.
Mk1 Assembly
In a tweet, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared a photo of the top and bottom halves of Starship Mk1 finally joined together at the South Texas facility. The assembly comes just in time for Musk’s scheduled presentation this weekend where he is expected to show the new designs for the Starship and the Super Heavy.
The date for the presentation, Sept. 28, coincides with the anniversary of the first time SpaceX reached orbit, and the sleek Mk1 will be the perfect backdrop.
On the transporter pic.twitter.com/CGNj1MlKAU — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2019
Starship Mk1
Mk1 is a 165-foot-tall vehicle that may fly by next month and could begin commercial missions by 2021, according to Musk and SpaceX representatives.
Mk1 and Super Heavy are both reusable, and the Starship can carry up to 100 passengers. There is already a crewed Starship mission reportedly scheduled for 2023 booked by Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa.
Starship Prototypes
SpaceX is working its way through a series of prototypes until it reaches a final iteration, and Starship Mk1 is already the second one. The first was St,arhopper, which completed its first test last April and was retired just last month after its flight from Boca Chica.
The next Starship iteration, Mk2, is being built at SpaceX’s Florida facility, and together Mk1 and Mk2 will hopefully bring SpaceX closer to eventually improving and developing a final Starship design.
That said, some of the details on the projects have possibly changed. Those interested in the Starship project’s progress will have to tune in to the presentation to find out more.
