LP-1

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LP-1 was the site of all of Starship’s first test flights. Work on the pad began in 2020 with a launch planned for 2021. Plans changed, however, and the first ever flight of Starship took place in April 2023. The pad initially featured a circular launch mount with nothing but a concrete pad beneath. The first flight test of Starship caused major damage to the pad leading SpaceX to install a water-cooled steel flame deflector beneath the pad. LP-1 was the site of all launches of Starship Block 1 and Block 2 vehicles. Using the data gathered from the first 11 flight tests, SpaceX optimised the design of their orbital launch mount which would debut in line with the Starship Block 3 vehicle. This meant that Starship Block 3 was incompatible with Pad 1 launch mount design. Following the retirement of Starship Block 2, SpaceX temporarily retired the launch pad to complete major works to prepare it for use with Starship Block 3. Refurbishment work is currently underway with the next launch from LP-1 expected no earlier than 2027.