Elon Musk posts first glimpse of SpaceX’s finished Starship test vehicle

Elon Musk just gave us a look at the first test version of SpaceX’s Starship.

Formerly known as the BFR, Musk announced on Thursday that the spaceflight company’s test version of the Starship, dubbed the “hopper,” has just finished being assembled at SpaceX’s launch site in Boca Chica Village, Texas.

This particular Starship will be used for suborbital vertical take-off tests, which will be similar to ones it completed for the Falcon 9 back in 2013.

An orbital version of the Starship will be taller, have thicker skins to avoid wrinkling, and a smoother nose. Musk said the company should have its first orbital prototype by June.

The Starship is SpaceX’s new class of super-heavy launch vehicle that will replace the company’s current crop of products, and will allow for potential missions around the Moon and to Mars. 

Twitter user Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo managed to get up close to the hopper prototype, and has posted pictures and video of the Starship.

Last week, Musk hinted that the suborbital Starship test could happen as soon as February, but some “unforeseen issues” could push it back a month.