SpaceX's Latest Starship Prototype Aces Engine Test and Launch Pad Plate Blast.
SpaceX has released a video showing a prototype plate being tested against the power of a single Raptor engine. The plate technology is being developed to strengthen the ground beneath SpaceX's Starship orbital launch mount in South Texas. The launch pad took a beating during the first-ever test flight of a fully stacked Starship vehicle on April 20, which sent chunks of broken concrete flying through the air. SpaceX is building multiple Starship vehicles at Starbase and aims to launch the next one soon, pending FAA approval.