SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster Arrives at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Watch the arrival of a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, officially known as Booster 1023. This booster supported two SpaceX missions (spaceflown), a Falcon 9 and a Falcon Heavy mission. It will reside inside Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's newest attraction, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex opening March 2022.
About Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex -
Experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating what is happening right now within our space program. Discover the current innovations of space exploration by getting up close to actual spacecraft and see visionary designs for solutions to propel the pathway of human deep space travel. Then, enter the spaceport of the future, preparing yourself to launch on one of four spectacular deep space journeys.
The thrill is within reach.

[@Chris-yr6gu]

They should have had it flown there. It can land by itself just fine.

[@Ron4885]

😃👍yes I like the idea.

[@orangeade5]

This is what I was hoping to see in the comment section

[@cablewaffel7957]

Maybe they can give people rides on it

[@cablewaffel7957]

@alex Smith, ya know, just stick a dragon on top and only fly suborbital. They don't even need any staging, just land on the booster

[@sjoerd5629]

@alex Smith It's only a "heavy" if they couple three Falcon9's together. This is just a single booster.

[@CalMariner]

This is awesome! While Blue Origin is still a drawing and Boeing can't get their capsule fixed, SpaceX is already putting their historical rockets on display!

[@josephius]

SpaceX already have had Falcon 9 Booster on display at their Headquarters in Hawthorne, CA since 2016, but you're right about Blue Origin and Boeing!

[@praythemallthewaygay3232]

Bezos: "I'm going to sue you for saying that"

[@SuikageKagetsu]

@@josephius Its still different tho... That was their headquarters.. But this Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

[@dwmzmm]

@@josephius A Space X used booster is on display at Space Center Houston (next to JSC).

[@fahndraco526]

I thought Boeing's Starliner was pretty much History now, seeing it seems that NASA has lost patients with Boeing and their seemingly never ending problems with the Starliner Capsule, as NASA has now given SpaceX even more of the Boeing's Starliner's planned Missions/Flights over to the SpaceX's Dragon Capsule! I would love to see some of the surviving SpaceX Starship and Boosters prototype's also end up here at the Kennedy Space Center!

[@wadewilson524]

F9 has a hugely deserving place among the historical giants at the KSC Visitor Complex! The Smithsonian needs one as well!!

[@Sacto1654]

I completely agree. The SpaceX Falcon 9, especially the models with the reusable first stage, has dramatically reduced the cost of sending satellites into orbit.

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

It's FH, not F9

[@yannickvorwerk-1stracer-49]

@@ImieNazwiskoOK Yeah but a FH sidebooster is just a F9 with a nosecone lol

[@FxsX24]

They were offered one. But spacex declined because they would have had to pay for the building to be built around it

[@awuma]

@@yannickvorwerk-1stracer-49 This is B1023, a Full Thrust version which had one regular F9 flight, then as second as a side booster on the first Falcon Heavy test flight (the Tesla Roadster launch). It's story is therefore interesting.

[@MrMarco7259]

This is well deserved! Congratulations Space X. Starship will be next.

[@ReadTheShrill]

They're going to need a much bigger building some day 😁

[@simongeard4824]

@@ReadTheShrill Easier to deliver, though. You can just picture Musk calling up KSC... "just tell me where you want us to put it".

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

@@simongeard4824 "Land it" ....

[@simongeard4824]

@@paulmichaelfreedman8334 Exactly.

[@Cruiserfrank]

1. I love that NASA has embraced reusable, more affordable rockets. 2. I love that the booster was so affordable that the owner could donate it to KSCVC. 3. I love that you left it dirty to show how resuable it really is. Looking forward to visiting someday!

[@renew1572]

The donator is Spacex the Manufacturer and operator of this rocket

[@johntheux9238]

Some early block 5 boosters were retired while still being flight worthy because they were too expensive to refurbish compared to the new ones. Is that what happened to this one?

[@warrenwhite9085]

Bloated, pork driven Federal Agency NASA is blowing $billions more taxpayer dollars on SLS/Orion, Nasa’s shameless pork unsustainable, unaffordable $4+ billion per flight boondoggle.

[@valerie80yearsago90]

@@johntheux9238 curious too

[@ImieNazwiskoOK]

I'm pretty sure that they donated it because it is in retirement and would be scrapped otherwise. Also it appears to not be F9 but outdated version of FH side booster.

[@londonalicante]

The forward cone where the interstage should be identifies this as a Falcon Heavy side booster, not Falcon 9. I looked it up and the missions flown by B1023 were Thaicom (Falcon 9) and Falcon Heavy Test (payload: Elon's Tesla Roadster.) After that I believe they switched to a dedicated design for Falcon Heavy side boosters. So this is one of only a few (possibly just 2) boosters that have flown as both types of rocket.

[@deannelson9565]

You know if you read the description you wouldn't have had to look it up. Lol

[@londonalicante]

@@deannelson9565 THE DESCRIPTION MENTIONS FALCON 9 ONLY! But the forward cone shows it's from a falcon heavy launch. People have been pointing out this discrepancy. I USED THE SERIAL NUMBER B1023 FROM THE DESCRIPTION TO LOOK UP and found that this booster flew twice, once as a falcon 9 and once as part of a falcon heavy. So the LOL is on you, I'm afraid.

[@astranger8569]

Ur right

[@parkershaw8529]

@@londonalicante If you truly want to be pedantic, it's not once a F9, but a F9 booster. Just like it's once a F9H side booster.

[@londonalicante]

@@gamerfortynine The centre booster is reinforced to take the extra load, but this was a regular Falcon 9 that was used as a side booster on the Falcon heavy test flight, where it gained its nose cone. It was then retired because SpaceX had improved the design and deemed it obsolete. There is now an updated Falcon 9 design (and a dedicated design for Falcon heavy side boosters as well as centre boosters.)

[@AntonioThunderbottom]

Unlike the other rockets in the garden, this one actually has been to space.

[@Sintesi.]

what about atlantis?

[@AntonioThunderbottom]

@@Sintesi. that's technically inside haha but it sure has been to space too.

[@hubriswonk]

@@AntonioThunderbottom And it is in a completely different building.

[@jamesmcdonald1687]

When one’s 7 year old daughter is begging to visit again you know you have done something right…

[@saturn5tony]

So right in putting a falcon 9 booster in a place of history. It really belongs here now. It looked so good next to the Saturn1b, Go Spacex.

[@cwcordes]

Two Falcon 9 boosters are now in museums. One on the West Coast and now the East coast. Must be getting crowded in the booster barn.

[@johnortiz9789]

There is another in NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

[@argus0018]

I mean SpaceX has an active fleet of 10 Falcon 9 block 5 boosters, and that is not counting the ealier retired versions. So they'll be able to fill up a substantual amount of museums.

[@johnortiz9789]

@@argus0018 I have visited the one on Hawthorn's factory and the one on NASA's JSC. I wonder where are the rest. It would be nice to visit 'em all.

[@rakaydosdraj8405]

"Moving out, free to a good home."

[@mylesl2890]

I was just there yesterday, had a truly awesome time, everybody was super nice. Exhibits loads of fun. Looking fwd to going back and seeing the new ones!

[@hubriswonk]

What did you think after the screen lifted and Atlantis was there???????????

[@BradGarcia]

I'm glad that Kennedy got a Booster! For anybody who doesn't know, Space Center Houston also has a Falcon 9 booster, and you're able to walk right up and touch that one.

[@dreeemer]

What?! Did not know that about Space Center Houston. I'm gonna have to get over there soon to check it out! Thanks for the heads up

[@fuzzyhead878]

I got to see it last year. The videos and livestreams don’t even begin to illustrate how big it is!

[@stevebollinger3463]

I know people want it standing in the rocket garden but I feel like the other ‘back from space’ items they have there it should be indoors to protect it from the weather. All the items in the rocket garden are spares or even mock-ups. It’s a real, returned rocket. We should probably protect it for the future.

[@Stefan3690]

It‘s not like that’s the only recovered & retired F9 booster. Even of this Type (F9 FT) SpaceX has 8 more lying around.

[@averagerocketenthusiast9585]

also let's not forget og-2 booster is standing in front of their hawthorne facilities and it is still good after like 6 years

[@averagerocketenthusiast9585]

@hello and so are the rockets in the rocket garden. very good point though

[@stevebollinger3463]

I don’t want to see a rocket that looks like it was painted on Earth when there is one that looks like it has been to space because it has been to space. They don’t put Atlantis outside and then paint it over and over. They put a mock up outside. If you want a Falcon 9 in the rocket garden I’m all for it. Bring another one by and plant it out there and paint it over and over as the sun strips it down.

[@familyfamily8763]

That is from a falcon heavy rocket so cool!

[@zoidburg2975]

Falcon Heavy, Super Heavy is Starship booster...

[@familyfamily8763]

@@zoidburg2975 fixed thanks

[@hedonistaesthetic828]

@@familyfamily8763, It’s both, first a F9 and then one of the first of two Boosters for the first FH (Tesla to Space delivery!).

[@SkylarGreyson]

I and our team at Tight Line were very proud to be a part of this project! It was a lot of fun for sure. It's a very cool place if you have never been, highly recommend it!

[@TheTimTri]

Displaying it inside to preserve all the re-entry soot from its historic mission is a very wise decision. I’m looking forward to visiting the new exhibition in the near future!

[@anthonylabarbera3656]

Super excited for march!! Itll be super cool to see one of the pioneer rockets of the new age of space travel

[@FrenchHornNerd42]

Imagine being in your car and a freaking full size rocket just drives by right in front of you.

[@Dan0__]

So... This is the Only booster there at the Visitor Center that has actually flown! This baby is a gem... Launched the Tesla and made that historic, surreal landing in unison with the other booster!

[@HawkeyeCR52322]

Well, keep in mind that Space Shuttle Atlantis is also there at the Vistor's Center.

[@Dan0__]

@@HawkeyeCR52322 Ah... very true! But... It's not a booster. 🙂

[@N75911_]

@@Dan0__ It's the ONLY live booster there... Other than that the Gemini-Titan on display there was an active Titan Missile with a 9 megaton nuclear warhead onboard before it was given to the museum, repainted and fitted with a mockup Gemini capsule

[@denniscruz4991]

Love how the video was shot almost entirely with the blue origin buildings out of sight 😂 #teamspacex

[@henkvandenbergh1301]

Is that the building that houses Willy Wonka's 'space' elevator? 😇

[@f500raptor]

_Almost_ out of sight. On the bright side, at least the B.O. staff won't have to drive too far to see actual rockets that can fly.

[@denniscruz4991]

@@f500raptor I’m screaminnnnnnnng lol 😭😭😭 #truth

[@denniscruz4991]

@@henkvandenbergh1301 yes, yes it is, among other fictional vehicles 😂

[@jshepard152]

That's fair.

[@nezb01]

Can’t Waite to see Starship take its place.

[@gasser5001]

Man, when it was doing the zoomout around 4:05, seeing the little eating area to the right took me back 20 years to being there in middle school, eating dip-n-dots sitting at those tables.

[@dennisdethloff4437]

No matter what they build nothing is more impressive then the Saturn 5

[@Razgriz-Flight-Spotting]

So, that was the worksite in progress in the visitor complex when i went on november 25

[@SpacE801]

This is falcon heavy booster!

[@spacexcellent5919]

I can't wait to come see it! I've never seen a Falcon 9 up close!

[@filanfyretracker]

bigger than you think they are, I saw the one in Hawthorne and its so much taller than it looks on youtube.

[@ArjanTV]

Lucky bastard lol What rocket did u see up close ?

[@filanfyretracker]

@@ArjanTV the Falcon 9 first stage that is sitting right outside SpaceX HQ. Easiest thing I found was to park at the Lowes store nearby.

[@rong1924]

It's not a Falcon 9. It's a Superheavy booster. Different.

[@PhantomDrums917]

CANNOT wait to get there!!!!

[@bmoore8853]

Just wow. I remember going here as a child more times than I can remember, I cannot wait to bring my child to visit

[@lanzer22]

Mine's coming in April. We'll see you at the complex. ;)

[@machone7580]

Last time I was there, they were redoing the Sat1B that they drove the Falcon 9 next to. Looks good!

[@exospaceman8209]

The booster from the falcon heavy maiden flight damn I remember it! Feels like yesterday

[@xxZerosumxx]

Yeah, time flies. I was there to see it live.

[@kimmorrill7060]

Vacation in Cap Canaveral, look forward to seeing the launch early morning! Saw the last one the other evening. So cool watching them take off.

[@HawkeyeCR52322]

What a cool freakin job... Hey hon what ya do today? Oh, nothing much...just drove a rocket that went into space to the Kennedy Space Center museum....

[@joyl7842]

Talk about a tight squeeze!

[@josephvanwanzeele5125]

Figures that we were just down there for a visit last week and had left. Aside from that, was quite impressive when this booster rolled alongside of the Saturn rocket. Wow! What a visual!

[@billi706]

Same 🤦‍♂️

[@Chapter3Fan]

Seeing it has a F9H nose-cone on top, I was sure they'd place it upright on a recreated landing pad with its legs unfolded .... It would highlight the one newest and best feature the F9 brought us ... I'm confused why they put it inside.

[@alexanderkenway]

March 2022? Can't wait!

[@Dominator_5]

Bro is that Falcon Heavy booster?!

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

It's a converted Falcon Heavy side booster, hence the nose cone.

[@ahchx861]

they will leave it unpainted right? remove those war scars would be criminal.

[@Hykje]

All the other rockets on display look clean and brand-new, but the Falcon booster really has "been there done that"written all over it.

[@tristangehman9236]

That's because up until this point every rocket that is there has never flown. All their functional counterparts either sunk in the Atlantic or burnt up in the atmosphere.

[@Danilo12299]

Next will be the StarShip 🙌

[@stan110]

I really want to visit that place one day

[@gus473]

👍🏼 Watching & commenting via SpaceX Starlink! Thanks, team! 😎✌🏼

[@Theoryofcatsndogs]

It is probably a lot easier for SpaceX to land the F9 on the spot than move it on land.

[@stephrinker5154]

are they going to put the rest of the Falcon Heavy in there with it?????Hope so that,s huge.......

[@HowToSpacic]

This is awesome but that’s not an F9 booster. The conical top tells me it’s a falcon heavy side booster.

[@hedonistaesthetic828]

Husk, It was Both!!! First it was a F9, than it was one of two FH BOOSTERS for Musk first HF test flight putting His Tesla in Space!

[@HowToSpacic]

@@hedonistaesthetic828 oh wow didn’t know that!

[@jshepard152]

Elon, can I get one for my backyard?

[@cambodianriverpig7613]

The Florida backdrop makes it look like a scene from Jurassic Park.

[@captain61games49]

Curious what music is being played?

[@adityarizky8533]

It's falcon heavy booster btw (cmiiw)

[@WASTEOFTIMESTUDIOS]

Be neat if they set up an entire falcon heavy in there instead of just the booster

[@YouTubeVic]

Although it is a Falcon 9 this is only one side booster of a falcon heavy. A fully stacked booster with a second stage and a payload is much larger.

[@londonalicante]

That was my thought - the forward cone where the interstage should be identifies it as a falcon heavy side booster. I looked it up and the missions flown by B1023 were Thaicom (Falcon 9) and Falcon Heavy Test (payload: Elon's Tesla Roadster.) After that I believe they switched to a dedicated design for side boosters.

[@billeisenhauer9556]

the one rocket that is literally designed to land vertically and stand up on its own.... and they put it indoors on itsside... i dont think people can truly appreciate how amazing the fact they land these things unless its standing up on its landing legs.

[@HawkeyeCR52322]

I would agree with you, but I'm also wondering if those legs aren't designed to hold the weight of the rocket for an extended period of time.

[@nickmoore385]

@@HawkeyeCR52322 they could always strengthen them if required. The first one to land successfully is sat outside the SpaceX factory in LA.

[@bocachicacrane762]

@@HawkeyeCR52322 b1019 has been outside their hq for years vertical

[@nzdobbs]

Don't restore it. Leave her burnt from re-entry. She's the only booster there that's been to space. Let her stand out.

[@toledojeeper2932]

When I was very young I got to see a Saturn V sitting on the crawler...something I will never forget .

[@uitvindertje]

Thats not a Falcon 9 booster. Its a Falcon Heavy Sidebooster.

[@myyklmax]

KSC....when you place the placard in front of the Falcon-9 booster, remember to state that.... */This F9 booster is fully functional right now. Just fuel it up and she is ready to FLY/*

[@ClebyHerris]

I wish that could get stopped at a light to see this without me being there on purpose. Random bits of space going down there all the time

[@DavidCzuba]

Nice complex. It's still under construction! It resembles Huntsville a little, except I believe it's Saturn is indoors now. It's cool to compare the I-B with the heavy booster side-by-side.

[@jshepard152]

The Saturn V has been indoors in Huntsville for roughly ten years now.

[@swenmcheath1798]

If i ever go to the US.... i need to see this whole complex

[@MRWIRUPONGSUKARUJI]

Nuclear warhead launch coordinates 13.904125°N 100.617659°E

[@lextacy2008]

Plot twist: They brought the wrong side. Had to go back to LC-39A and get the right booster.

[@bouncebynum]

This is long overdue. Well done, SpaceX.

[@class7083]

please ensure SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster is complying to Electromagnetic compatibility and ROHS ( Restriction on use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic components as per Global protocol.

[@space_nerd15]

spacex falcon heavy Booster not Falcon 9

[@oi-vv2fb]

GTA에서 저 차 한 번 몰아봤으면 좋겠다

[@clarencejaivendelacruz6054]

that is actually a falcon heavy side booster

[@RBFR01]

the problem is (if this was the case) is the rocket and boosters aren't big enough for any settlement equipment transportation to Mars. If Space X and NASA were going to transport parts of a base to Mars the rocket needs to be substantially bigger as well as the boosters as they would be carry much more weight in materials and supplies. I wonder what this rocket booster is going to be used for? future rockets into orbit? or scientific research to understand the properties of re-usable rockets and boosters?

[@elihook7805]

Oh, look up star ship, the big fucking rocket

[@RBFR01]

@@elihook7805 roger

[@kristofinportugal]

Technically a Falcon 9, but it's a booster from Falcon Heavy. Marvellous 😊

[@TheChico868]

Thunderbirds are go!

[@brandonstouffer]

My school will have a field trip to go there near the end of school next year. Can’t wait to see it in person!

[@hydromic2518]

That’s so cool!!!

[@ivanio2008]

Che spettacolo 🥰🥰

[@GeraudRulz]

Crazy thing is the most of the rest of the rockets there are expendable so the fact the reason they are in such pristine condition is because they have never launched and never left the ground. Whilst this booster has been to the edge of space and back twice before retiring.

[@BeechSportBill]

Beverly Rother’s new friend

[@bonassrah72]

Elon just made history! Can't wait to visit the center though the rocket was used as a side booster for a Falcon Heavy flight.

[@bivideo7]

...arrived "AT" Kennedy Space Center... Or, "delivered to"... You guys are supposed to be the communicators. I'm a mechanic and I know the correct grammar...

[@CountArtha]

I always thought the "Rocket Garden" needed a Falcon 9!

[@hedonistaesthetic828]

Ahh, CountArtha, Nothing in the Garden has actually been to space; The Rockets and Boosters that have been launched are generally protected in an enclosure.

[@DavidOfWhitehills]

Shoulda just had it land in the carpark.

[@salimsabi5078]

That would have been mind blowing 🤯

[@woob_wob2]

2:20 is that saturn 9?!

[@kroosdaily4630]

Dear Sir, I'm Kroos, the owner of Great SpaceX channel. Nice to meet you, Sir! I really love your video here and would like to share some part of it to describe the content on my YT channel (like 3-5 seconds). is that possible? Actually, We will credit you and link to your YT channel. We also hope that more guys will come to support your channel too. Please let me know when you are available. Thank you, Kroos,

[@techiheed1845]

Incredible film. Thanks KSCVC. :-)

[@paulm.newitt3246]

So Cool!!! That SpaceX transport vehicle looks like something from Gerry Andersen's "Thunderbirds are GO!"...

[@jspafford]

No VO? Where’s the story? What’s going on? Who knows. I forgot NASA doesn’t have any microphones.

[@trevorvanbremen4718]

Space-X : Throwing away technology that's still leaps and bounds beyond the best from B.O. (Body Odor / Blue Origin?)

[@bucksavage1221]

Spacex is simply awesome. But a side note: That music will make anything feel majestic, like my post-Thanksgiving latrine visit. Carry on, space adventurers.

[@zoidburg2975]

That's not a F9 booster, it's a Falcon Heavy side booster...

[@mb345]

Music was silly. I kept waiting for a gravely voice narrator to talk about "Grit, determination, giving a 110% and never and I mean never backing down in the face of a challenge..."

[@geomodelrailroader]

The Falcon 9 has earned its place in Rocket Park right next to the Delta Rocket. Good Job SpaceX!

[@SDGreg]

Lasted visited the KSC visitor complex back in February of 2020. I remember we had to ask around to find the SpaceX Dragon Capsule. It was kind of hidden back inside of a building next to a model of the SLS. Hopefully this booster will be more prominently displayed.

[@jamesnicholls9969]

NASA is to embarrassed by SpaceX, so they have to hide it away. someone on a tour there said that the guide did not mention SpaceX even though a falcon 9 rocket was on the pad, but kept mentioning ULA.

[@davidhunter6706]

@@jamesnicholls9969 how is nasa embarrased by spaceX? They literally work with them by choice

[@okunevans9213]

Pls what is the name of the soundtrack pls

[@Exalerion]

What's up with the nosecone?

[@BigRray]

almost as big as the Saturn 1B

[@lanzer22]

A rocket in the space center that had actually been flown and not just a model. Maybe that should be the rule moving forward! :)

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

That guy driving the truck is definitely making more than $10 an hour.

[@ELDchannel]

Hello, it's great. Thank you for sharing.👏👏

[@alexviper9773]

Are you sure that’s Falcon 9’s Booster? Because I think that’s Falcon heavy’s Booster

[@miniepiq846]

B1053 , right ???

[@charlesuding8003]

Inside? That’s dumb. Should be out with the other rockets. That would be more impressive.

[@GDR007]

The Thumbnail makes it look like that Saturn 1B has a Falcon 9 side booster!

[@TN-jb4jk]

Reusable ICBM or hypersonic launch vehicle with just a couple lines of code.