A heavy marine transport operation near Christmas Island has placed SpaceX Ship 40 aboard the semi-submersible vessel Forte for delivery to the Starbase facility in Texas, USA.
The 52 m spacecraft was recovered after completing its 13th test flight on 24 July. Ship 40 re-entered the atmosphere and made a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean, remaining afloat after landing.
Recovery personnel then spent more than three weeks towing the spacecraft toward calmer waters near Christmas Island. According to the source, Ship 40 had drifted more than 100 km on the water before the recovery and loading operation.
For the transfer, Forte filled its ballast tanks with water and submerged before taking the 52 m spacecraft onto its deck. The operation enabled the recovered hardware to be secured aboard the semi-submersible vessel for onward marine transport.
Despite its extended time in the water, Ship 40 retained its primary structural integrity, according to the source. The recovered spacecraft will be returned for further examination as part of SpaceX’s assessment of its condition following flight and splashdown.
Forte is preparing to cross the Pacific Ocean with Ship 40 bound for the Starbase facility in Texas.
After arrival, components of the spacecraft are expected to undergo laboratory testing. The planned examination will focus on the thermal protection layers, engines and other critical structural components.
