(1/8) #StarshipAddicts, I think we have a major update for you about one of the #Starship variants we have been expecting to see at #Starbase!
It has been speculated that this nose cone barrel section was to be used for the #CargoVariant.
(2/8) Thanks to @RGVaerialphotos, we now know what it looks like from above. In this image you can see in interior structure which is most likely used to open the "payload bay"
(3/8) If you watched the most recent episode from @RGVaerialphotos flyover review you will remember us mentioning that the size of this payload door makes a lot more sense for #HLS #LunarStarship than it does for #Cargo version.
(4/8) Its tough to do anything speculate until there is more solid evidence.
That evidence came sooner than expected today, when a very interesting looking structure was lifted into the nosecone barrel section. It was very hard to make out on #Sentinel cam.
📷@LabPadre
(5/8) Luckily @jessica_kirsh was in the right place at the right time today! She ALWAYS catches important deliveries during her livestreams. This is a close up view of the structure being lifted into the payload section.
Link to the original livestream
(6/8) This might look pretty familiar to some long time #StarshipAddicts out there.
Although they are slightly different. This is more than likely the same elevator expected to be used in the #LunarStarship to get cargo and astronauts from the ship, to the Lunar surface!
(7/8) If this is the case, then it is exciting to finally see some long awaited #HLS progress. Looking at this #SpaceX render, I think everything lines up just about perfectly. Even though this is the older version of the #LunarLander concept.
(8/8) This makes me feel a lot less crazy for believing that the new #Starship transport/test stand that #S20 is sitting on... is actually a #HLS #LunarLaunchMount pathfinder.
When I get some time I'll post a deeper explanation on this one.
I'll reserve the possibility that this structure could also be for ejecting #Starlink Satellites out of the little payload bay door. Which is less exciting, but far more important/relevant when it comes to recent events.
Not going to delete this post, but it appears that it actually went into the newer barrel section and not the pathfinder!
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