SpaceX McGregor Facility Advances Raptor Engine Testing and Starship Preparations

SpaceX’s McGregor engine development and testing site remains a hub of innovation and activity, with recent developments in Raptor engine testing and potential Starship-related infrastructure. The facility, which is the most active rocket engine test site globally, has seen a surge in Raptor engine trials, including over 55 tests conducted recently. Among the highlights are the relight tests of the Raptor Vertical Stand in late August and the delivery of Raptor 3 No. 35, marking the most advanced version of the engine. SpaceX is ramping up efforts to support its V3 Starship, which will require a substantial number of Raptor 3 flight engines. Additionally, McGregor continues to serve as a test ground for various Starship components, including redesigned header tanks for future Block 2 and 3 Starships and boosters. The facility is also engaged in ‘torture testing’ of critical components such as COPVs and experimental tanks. A notable new addition to the McGregor site is a massive rig under construction, fueling speculation about its potential connection to NASA’s Artemis program. Some believe this new structure could be linked to the development and testing of Starship’s Human Landing System (HLS), designed for lunar missions. While SpaceX has yet to confirm the rig’s purpose, its scale and proximity to key testing areas have led experts to speculate that it could be designed for lunar landing simulations or HLS testing. As these developments unfold, McGregor continues to be a focal point for SpaceX’s future plans in space exploration.