--- title: "SpaceX Is Installing Tesla Batteries In Starship Prototype" description: "Workers near SpaceX's Boca Chica test site in Texas have spotted the space company installing Tesla battery packs into one of Starship MK1's header tanks." date: "2019-09-25" modified: "2019-09-25" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-installing-tesla-batteries-starship-prototype" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Space" - "SpaceX" - "Starship" - "Tesla" tags: - "elon musk" - "SpaceX" - "Starship" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # SpaceX Is Installing Tesla Batteries In Starship Prototype ![Workers near SpaceX's Boca Chica test site in Texas have spotted the space company installing Tesla battery packs into one of Starship MK1's header tanks.]() *\Image: SpaceX/Victor Tangermann\* ## Space Batteries Eagle-eyed observers near SpaceX's Boca Chica test site in Texas [have spotted]() the spacetech company installing what appear to be four Tesla Model S and X battery packs into one of Starship MK1's header tanks, as [*Electrek* reports](). It's an interesting example of crosspollination between two massive companies, both headed by billionaire Elon Musk — and Tesla could end up giving SpaceX a major leg up when it comes to powering the electronics of the gigantic spacecraft. ## Test Vehicle The prototype is the first full-scale test vehicle of SpaceX's massive spacecraft, designed to ferry up to 100 passengers to distant destinations including Mars. A scaled-down prototype, dubbed "[Starhopper]()," was put through its paces throughout the year, laying the groundwork for Starship MK1. And SpaceX is making great progress: "Top half with forward fins & header tanks probably stacks on Wednesday," [Musk tweeted]() on Monday. "Three \[Raptor engines\] already installed." ## Moving Fins The recently-installed Tesla battery packs could help Starship move those fins. Musk revealed that "many powerful electric motors and batteries" will be need to move the entire fins in a [Tuesday tweet](). Tesla and SpaceX have [partnered up]() in the past to develop new materials and manufacturing techniques. SpaceX will also be lending its rocket technology as part of a ["SpaceX package"]() to give Tesla's much-awaited Roadster a massive boost. **READ MORE:**[ SpaceX is using Tesla battery packs in new ‘Starship’ Mars vehicle prototype]() \[*Electrek*\] **More on Starship:** *[Elon Musk: “Next Gen” Craft Could Be Twice the Size of Starship]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()