Simply Explained Ep. 01: How Does SpaceX Fuel Starship? You see all those giant pipes and equipment connected to Starship? Think of them as part of the rocket’s giant gas station. Starship needs two main liquids: liquid methane, which is the fuel, and liquid oxygen, which helps the fuel burn. Both are kept extremely cold. Before launch, SpaceX pumps huge amounts of these liquids from massive storage tanks on the ground, through large pipes, and into Starship. That big arm connected to Starship is called the Quick Disconnect Arm. Think of it like a giant fueling and charging cable. It supplies Starship with fuel, oxygen, electricity, and data while the rocket is on the launch pad. Just before launch, the arm disconnects and quickly moves away from Starship. Then the engines ignite, and Starship lifts off. Simply explained: all those giant tanks, pipes, and equipment connected to Starship work together like a massive gas station built for a rocket.