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Old 22-05-2021, 10:25 PM
glend (Glen)
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,051
Engines removed from SN15

All three Raptor engines were removed from SN15 today, and returned to the build site on one trailer. It is unknown, why this has taken place. Perhaps it is for detailed inspection and upgrades of some components prior to next flight, or does this indicate that SN15 is going to be scrapped.
SN16 is apparently ready to fly, but any flight, and subsequent landing, maybe out of the question during the Integration Tower assembly, and the required presence of the very tall and expensive Orbital facility assembly cranes onsite near the Starship launch and landing pads. The two largest cranes, have just been assembled, a process that took a week, and even though they are tracked mobile cranes, getting them offsite and back again doesn't make much sense as they are perfectly positioned for the Tower build now.
My guess is that SN15, now minus its engines, will be returned to the build site for scrapping, as it is currently a bottleneck to intended program.
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