SpaceX's SpaceX Mk1 prototype receives its latest steel dome

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Last Saturday, Sept. 14, South Texas technicians placed the third and final steel dome on SpaceX's SpaceX Mk1 spacecraft. The team used a new way to integrate the dome on the prototype, which is expected to undergo its first test next month.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, will unveil the new integration system in a speech on September 28, before the launch, which should take place on October 13.

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What happened with the Starship Mk1?

It seems that this final dome is the last piece to add to the top of the Starship Mk1 before the cone tip can be added and the ship's internal build begins.

This upper dome is where the Starship Mk1 liquid oxygen tank will be placed.

This monumental moment means that the engine and the tank section of the spacecraft are almost ready. The only other potential changes could be in the dome's external hardware.

Why is this a unique approach?

Typically, SpaceX installations have been installed on the cylindrical tank sections of the spacecraft. Then, steel domes are welded to the side of the tank while being supported and held in place by a large crane.

The difference this time is that the SpaceX technicians first welded the upper dome of the tank to its other ringed sections, as they remained on the ground. It was only when all the sections were carefully and carefully welded that the entire section was set at the top of the Starship Mk1.

It is unclear if this has always been the plan in the assembly of this section.

Earlier comments by Elon Musk did not clarify – if the two teams competing were working to complete the dome assembly strategy in this way, or if that decision had changed in the last month. the two groups SpaceX technicians struggle against time to offer the best design and build solutions for the Starship Mk1.

All welding, mounting and fixing work was done at ground level this time, which made the job safer and easier than it had been done in the air, suspended above the ground.

This could be a new and improved method of building some parts of the spacecraft.

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