7M – 9M DIAMETER CORES • SPMT SADDLE BOLSTERS • N2 INTERNAL ULLAGE • FAA CORRIDORS

SpaceX Starship & New Glenn Heavy Booster Stage Transporter Manual

Engineering protocols for over-the-road and marine-to-pad transit of 7-meter to 9-meter orbital booster cores: hydraulic SPMT suspension equalizers, internal tank pressurization stabilization, aerodynamic crosswind dampers, and multi-agency police escorts.

Core Diameter

7.0m – 9.0m

Stainless / Al-Li Monocoque

Internal Tank Ullage

2.0 – 4.5 PSIG

Dry Gaseous N2 Blanket

Transporter Platform

4-File 24-Axle SPMT

Scheuerle / Goldhofer PST-SL

Crosswind Limit

≤ 18 Knots (20 MPH)

Aerodynamic Overturning Cutoff

1. Thin-Walled Monocoque Pressure Stabilization & Cradling

Cryogenic rocket propellant tanks are fabricated from thin stainless steel (304L/301) or aluminum-lithium (Al-Li 2195) barrels with wall thicknesses as low as 3mm to 4mm. Without positive internal pressure, the stage will buckle under its own self-weight when supported horizontally on transport saddles.

• Positive Gaseous Nitrogen (GN2) Ullage: Maintain 2.0 to 4.5 PSIG differential pressure in both methane/RP-1 and LOX tanks via mobile GN2 tube trailers linked during movement.
• Contoured Conformable Saddle Bolsters: 120-degree arc padded saddles with 50-durometer neoprene lining distributed at primary internal ring frames to prevent localized skin denting.
• Continuous Telemetry Telematics: Redundant pressure transmitters streaming live to Exspeedite in-cab display with audible alerts if pressure drops below 1.8 PSIG.

2. Multi-Axle SPMT Configuration & Electronic Multi-Way Steering

A 70-meter booster core on highway routes presents massive swept-path envelopes. Exspeedite utilizes 4-file paired self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) with 360-degree electronic all-wheel steering.

Steering Modes

Normal highway steer, carousel (360° spin around center point), diagonal crab-steer (to navigate narrow toll gates), and independent rear dolly tracking.

Hydraulic 3-Point Suspension

Hydraulic axle compensation maintains equal wheel loading across undulating causeway transitions and prevents frame torsional twist on the booster shell.

3. Aerodynamic Wind Limits & Highway Patrol Corridors

Due to the enormous projected surface area (>500 m²), crosswinds generate intense lateral overturning moments.

• Transport holds mandatory whenever 10-meter mast anemometers record sustained winds >18 knots (20 MPH) or gusts >23 knots.

• Full highway closure protocol: Texas DPS / Florida Highway Patrol rolling roadblocks with bucket truck wire-lifting crews.

• High-resolution LIDAR route sweeps performed 48 hours prior to transit to verify tree branch and traffic signal mast clearances.

Request Launch Vehicle Transport Plan

Engage Exspeedite certified aerospace logistics architects for heavy launch core road and barge transportation.

Launch Support Protocols:

• AS9100D aerospace quality standard compliance.

• Dedicated FAA / USCG maritime safety zone coordination.

• Micro-strain gauge monitoring on interstage rings.