SpaceX has lifted fragments of the Super Heavy booster with flight number B11 from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Their photo was posted on social network X (formerly Twitter) by Elon Musk.
The B11 booster was involved in the fourth orbital test of the Starship reusable space system, which took place on June 6, 2024. It successfully completed its section of the flight and then separated from the spacecraft. Afterwards, the booster performed a partial re-entry maneuver and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, completely extinguishing its velocity before touching water.
SpaceX initially said it had no intention of picking up the booster, which sank to a depth of about 55 meters. But then the company changed its plans and chartered the HOS Ridgewind, a vessel owned by Hornbeck Offshore, for this purpose.
It is curious that the operation was initially kept secret. However, a group of young documentarists from Interstellar Gateway, a company that specializes in filming rocket launches, became aware of SpaceX’s plans and then rented a boat to follow Hornbeck Offshore. They were able to capture some crane operations as well as a tarp at the stern of the ship, apparently hiding booster fragments. While shooting, a drone flew up to the ship with the crew and announced that there was an exclusion zone in the area, then asked them to move one mile away from HOS Ridgewind.
After the crew contacted SpaceX, the company confirmed the booster lift operations but asked them not to disclose it until the operation was complete. Subsequently, Elon Musk published a photo showing the mangled remains of the Super Heavy engines.
It is unclear as of now why SpaceX changed its mind and decided to lift the booster fragments. By studying them, the engineers may be able to get some of the data they need. Or perhaps SpaceX was afraid of industrial espionage and decided to lift the Super Heavy before its competitors did.
Recall that Elon Musk recently promised the first Starship mission to Mars in 2026.
