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Ship 28
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Ship 28 (S28) is a second-stage Starship prototype assembled in March and April of 2023.
Test history
Success
Thu 03, Aug 2023
9 months ago
Cryo Proof Test
SpaceX performed a cryogenic proof test on Ship 28 at Massey's test site, filling both tanks to capacity.
Success
Fri 28, Jul 2023
9 months ago
Cryo Proof Test
SpaceX carried out the inaugural cryogenic proof test for Ship 28, fully loading both tanks with liquid nitrogen (LN2).
Description
Ship 28 (S28) is a second-stage Starship prototype assembled between March and April 2023 using a novel stacking approach. Unlike the traditional method of stacking two halves before joining them, S28 was stacked from top to bottom. This allowed the crane to remain attached to the nose cone throughout, and simplified the welding process by keeping it at ground level. However, this raised questions about how the CH4 transfer tube would be installed, as the new method precluded lifting it into the LOX tank from above.
