Elon Musk recently provided an exclusive tour of SpaceX’s Starfactory production facility to YouTuber Tim Dodd, also known as “Everyday Astronaut”. The production center, located in south Texas, has evolved from tents to a massive facility that Musk believes will greatly improve the production process.
During the tour, Musk shared insights into the future of the Starship rocket production at the factory. He explained that the facility will enable serialized production of the rocket, with a long-term goal of producing up to a thousand ships a year. Musk showcased various sections of the factory, including the Megabay which houses three booster rockets, and highlighted the design of the next-gen Raptor engines.
The new design of the Raptor engines will feature integral cooling circuits throughout, negating the need for a heat shield. Musk emphasized that while it may look simple on the outside, the engine is complex internally. He also revealed plans for the completion of the Starfactory, which will have multiple production stations and will be fully equipped within three months.
Musk expressed excitement about the transformation of the site from tents to a state-of-the-art factory for Starship production. The facility signifies SpaceX’s commitment to advancing space exploration and revolutionizing rocket production in the aerospace industry.