Texas

SpaceX tests its engines and structures at a 4,000-acre state-of-the-art rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. Every Merlin engine that powers the Falcon 9 rocket and every Draco thruster that controls the Dragon spacecraft is tested on one of 11 test stands. On our tripod test stand, the largest stand at 82 meters (269 feet) tall, the Falcon 9 first stage is tested with all nine Merlin engines firing at 1.3 million pounds of thrust for up to three minutes—the same as actual flight duration. All Falcon 9 flight structures are also tested on a 160-foot stand to simulate actual flight loads and pressures. In addition, the facility is home to a dual Merlin test stand consisting of two independent engine testing bays, allowing SpaceX to test up to 400 Merlin engines a year. Established in 2003, the site now averages two tests per day.