Booster 11 (B11)

B11 during cryogenic test

Booster 11 (B11) is a Super Heavy booster prototype. Stacking began on the 19th of March 2023 and was completed on the 3rd of June 2023. Assuming SpaceX continues with the current pairing order of Ships and Boosters for flights, Booster 11 is set to fly with Ship 29 (S29) on Starship Flight Test 4. It has been located in Mega Bay 1 since the 19th of November 2023, where both CO2 tanks have been installed and, according to the Ringwatchers, engines were 'probably' installed by the 23rd of January 2024. However this is purely speculative based on historic timings.

## History

On 30 July 2023, a test article was spotted with the old B11 forward dome section "that was reassigned to become a test article for this, seemingly back in January of this year". On top of it, there is a hot staging ring, or a "hot stage load head". More information about this test article can be found here: B11 Hot Staging Test Article.

## Timeline

* 07 March 2023: B11 forward dome section spotted.
* 19 March 2023: B11 stacking began with common dome lifted onto a LOX tank barrel; first operational stacking of the 2nd mega bay turntable and robot welder.
* 30 March 2023: B11 LOX tank lifted overnight and stacked on a 4-ring section, now 16/24 rings tall, next section moved to mega bay staging area.
* 02 April 2023: B11 LOX tank: another 4 ring section had its stiffener removed and moved into the mega bay for possible stacking (would be 20/24 rings tall).
* 07 April 2023: B11 downcomer/transfer tube installed.
* 28 April 2023: B11 aft section moved to mega bay at 09:51; B11 LOX tank stacked onto its aft section, LOX tank now 24/24 rings tall; CH4 tank stacking not yet started.
* 24 June 2023: B11 moved to the Rocket Garden (Probably waiting for testing at Massey's).
* 06 July 2023: Old B11 fwd dome section moved into tent 1 (add: later hot staging test article).
* 30 July 2023: B11 Hot stage test article and its components arrived at Massey's.
* 12 September 2023: B11 moved from rocket garden via Highway 4 into Mega Bay from 3:20-5:35; B11 lifted off its transport stand onto B10's old transport stand in the back right of mega bay 1. B11's transport stand then was moved to the Sanchez site.
* 12 October 2023: B11 moved to Massey's. Outfitted with CO2 tank mounts and the 18 fire suppression vents during its stay in Mega Bay 1.
* 13 October 2023: B11 underwent cryo testing at Massey's.
* 18 October 2023: B11 undergoes cryo test.
* 19 November 2023: B11 returned to Mega Bay 1
* 27 November 2023: Both CO2 tanks installed on B11

### 11/12 October 2023 - Roll out

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

* 17:01 Lifted onto Puck shucking stand
* 00:41 Has entered hwy 4 towards Massey's test site

### 13 October 2023 - Cryo Proof Test

Booster 11 was cryo proof tested on the CH4 tank with the whole tank being filled at Massey's Outpost. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

* 18:11 Cryo loading already underway
* 19:17 CH4 tank fully filled wiht LN2
* 21:33 Detank underway

### 18 October 2023 - Cryo Proof Test

Booster 11 was cryo proof tested on the LOX tank with the whole tank being filled. The test at Massey's Outpost started in the afternoon and went well into the evening.

## References

1. ↑ Official Ringwatchers decision that engines were 'on both S29 and B11 ... probably' 'https://discord.com/channels/892037187095380008/1014695735532458076/1199459807300698122
2. ↑ Official Ringwatchers decision that engines were 'on both S29 and B11 ... probably' 'https://discord.com/channels/892037187095380008/1014695735532458076/1199459807300698122
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/Ringwatchers/status/1686050768489529344
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/VickiCocks15/status/1712976232629817616
5. ↑ Video and Info by Rocket Ranch: https://twitter.com/RocketRanchTX/status/1715058404727611834