Portions of this thread copied from a Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.
FAQ
- When next launch? (IFT-5) Booster catch is now NET late November, per SpaceX.
- When previous launch? (IFT-4)? Booster 11 and Ship 29 launched on 2024-06-06.
- What was the result? Both booster and ship make it to landing burn and splashdown. Ship flaps took a beating on reentry, but remained in control of the vehicle.
Quick Links
RAPTOR ROOST | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
Starship Dev 56 | IFT-4 launch thread | Starship Dev 55 | IFT-3 launch thread | Starship Dev 54 | Starship Dev 53 | Starship Dev 52
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)
Status
Road Closures - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
| Type | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Date | 2024-07-09 08:00 | 2024-07-09 20:00 | Possible Closure. |
| Backup Date | 2024-07-10 08:00 | 2024-07-10 20:00 | Possible Closure. |
| Backup Date | 2024-07-11 08:00 | 2024-07-11 20:00 | Possible Closure. |
| Backup Date | 2024-07-10 12:00 | 2024-07-11 00:00 | “Clossure” Scheduled. |
| Backup Date | 2024-07-11 12:00 | 2024-07-12 00:00 | Possible “Clossure”. |
| Primary Date | 2024-07-12 08:00 | 2024-07-12 20:00 | Possible “Clossure”. |
Up to date as of 2024-07-11
Vehicle Status
As of 2024-08-23
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S20 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | |
| S26 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | Static fire Oct. 20. No fins or heat shield, multiple mysterious changes. Completed 3 cryo tests, latest on Oct 10. Rolls to Massey’s May 8th, cryo test May 24th, static fired Jun 3rd, rolls to rocket garden Jun 12th. Moves to Megabay 2 Aug 13th, raptors removed Aug 14th. |
| S30 | Stacked on B12 | Static fired Jul 26th | 2x cryo: Jan 3rd and Jan 5th. Engines installed ~Apr 9th. Static fired May 8th. Heatshield replacement completed by Jul 20. Static fired Jul 26th. Raptor replacement Aug 3rd. Spin prime Aug 6th. |
| S31 | Highbay | Resting | Cryo tested May 12th, suffers small electrical fire. Underwent repairs in the Highbay, rolls back to Massey’s Jul 1. Cryo tested Jul 2nd and 3rd. Engines installed by Jul 26th. Rolls to Massey’s Sep 6th. Partial (aborted) cryo test Sep 8th. Static fired Sep 18th. |
| S32 | Rocket Garden | On the move | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps |
| S33 | Megabay 2 | Pending flaps install | First V2 Starship. Nosecone spotted Jul 14th. Forward section spotted Jul 27th. Stacking completed Aug 23. |
| S34 | Starfactory | Stacking | Methane header tank spotted Aug 14th. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Sep 20th. |
| S35 | Starfactory | Parts spotted | Parts spotted Sep 20th. |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B12 | Launch Mount A | Pending hot stage ring install | Cryo x2, Static fire Jul 15th. |
| B13 | Megabay 1 | Testing | Cryo tests Apr 26th (methane tank) and Apr 29th (LOX tank) |
| B14 | Megabay 1 | Pending cryo | Stacked Apr 26th |
| B14.1 | Sanchez | Resting | Multiple catch simulation “slap tests” performed on Jun 26th and 27th. |
| B15 | Build Site | Assembly | Potential aft end, common dome section, aft tank section, and forward dome spotted. |
| B16 | Build Site | Assembly | Parts spotted |
| B17 | Build Site | Assembly | Parts spotted |
Resources
- LabPadre Channel | NASASpaceFlight.com Channel
- NSF: Booster 7 + Ship X (likely 24) Updates Thread | Most Recent
- NSF: Boca Chica Production Updates Thread | Most recent
- NSF: Elon Starship tweet compilation | Most Recent
- SpaceX: Website Starship page | Starship Users Guide (2020, PDF)
- FAA: SpaceX Starship Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
- FAA: Temporary Flight Restrictions NOTAM list
- FCC: Starship Orbital Demo detailed Exhibit - 0748-EX-ST-2021 application June 20 through December 20
- NASA: Starship Reentry Observation (Technical Report)
- Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
- Production Progress Infographics by @RingWatchers
- Raptor 2 Tracker by @SpaceRhin0
- Acronym definitions by Decronym
- Everyday Astronaut: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Everyday Astronaut: 2022 Elon Musk Interviews, Starbase/Ship Updates | Launch Tower | Merlin Engine | Raptor Engine
- Everyday Astronaut 2024 Elon Musk Interviews: Starfactory tour | Pad tour and post-IFT-4 interview
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Starbase activities (2024-07-11):
- Pad B: First tower section is installed (LabPadre, ViX). Crews working on bolts. NSF livestream, NSF timelapse, Starship Gazer photo 1, photo 2, DeffJeff timelapse, Cargile photo, Gomez timelapse, cnunez photo.
- B12 testing at Pad A: Tank farm starts up, Cowbell venting, frost on LOX tank, more cowbell venting. Tanking test, road is reopened open. Grid fin and ship quick disconnect are tested. NSF timelapse.
- Raptor work table moves towards Pad A.
- Build site: Another B15 forward section is staged outside Megabay 1.
- Road delays for tower segment transportation are posted for July 11th through 19th, all 22:00 to 03:00 the following day.
Other:
- BingoBoca posts some nice labelled maps from RGV Aerial flyovers.
Starbase activities (2024-08-22):
- Aug 21st cryo delivery tally. (Yes, 21st)
- Aug 21st addendum: Move video of ship quick disconnect extension and retraction tests. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Nice clear photo of actuator pistons.
- Pad B: Load spreader disconnects from tower. Work on flame trench is under way. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- S30 receives a Mechazilla decal. Unknown if B12 will receive one too. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Mary, Gisler (sort of))
Starbase activities (2024-08-24):
- Aug 23rd cryo delivery tally.
- Aug 23rd addendum: B14.1 is outfitted with two load point arms. S33 is connected to aft section and heads towards welding station. (LabPadre timelapse, Starship Gazer closeup)
- Not too much action reported on the 24th.
- Test Tank 16 still at Massey’s. (cnunez, Gisler)
- Pad A: Work on chopsticks continues. (Gisler)
- RGV Aerial post photos of the build site and Pad B flame trench construction from their recent flyover.
Starbase activities (2024-08-06):
- Aug 5th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, S30 rolls out to Massey’s. (LabPadre, ViX, tibininin, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
- Reconfiguration of the CC8800-1 crane is underway (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, NSF)
- cnunez posts an image of the build site.
- B14.1 is on the move, likely to the launch mount.
Starbase activities (2024-08-07):
- Aug 6th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, B14.1 rolls out to the launch site. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF)
- B14.1 is lifted onto the launch mount. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX, Mary, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- New entrance to launch site is under construction.
- CC8800-1 crane reconfiguration continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Gisler)
- S30 at Massey’s. Tank farm venting, and spin prime completed.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for August 9th or 10th, for transport from Massey’s to pad. (Return of S30?)
- Starkitty sighted :)
Starbase activities (2024-08-08):
- Aug 7th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, a 3 ring LOX section moves from Starfactory to MB2, and is mated with existing S33 nose. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Test tank 16 and a nosecone spotted in Starfactory. (ViX)
- CC8800-1 crane reconfiguration continues. Looks like it is nearing completion. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, Roger S, ViX 6, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
- Office construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- NSF fly over Starbase, and note that SpaceX now has full access to the patch of land between Starfactory and the new offices.
Other:
- First Raptor 3 test fire (Elon 1, Elon 2, NSF)
- Frost comparison from TheSpaceEngineer.
- Gwynne fires a shot at Tory. You might even say she shot well.
- SpaceX states that IFT-5 vehicles are “ready to fly, pending regulatory approval”.
- NSF summary reading between the lines.
Starbase activities (2024-08-20):
- Aug 19th cryo delivery tally.
- Aug 19th addendum: Video of S33 downcomer and jig entering Megabay 2. (ViX)
- In the morning, the LOX downcomer enters Megabay 2 as well. (ViX)
- Build site video tour.
- Construction on offices and connecting passageway to Starfactory continues, and the two structures are now connected. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Pad A: A “burn plate” is lifted onto booster quick disconnect hood, and tower cladding is being added/replaced. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Pad B: Elevator sections 7 and 8 are lifted. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Crews are prepping tower module 9 for its upcoming lift. (Gisler)
- Tanks which arrived at Brownsville port on Aug 18th are arriving at Massey’s. (LabPadre)
- Test Tank 16 still at Massey’s.
Starbase activities (2024-08-19):
- Aug 18th cryo delivery tally.
- The 9th and final tower module arrives at Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (pulley closeup), Gisler 3, Hammer 1, Hammer 2)
- Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane is partially lowered for inspections, then raised back to vertical. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2)
- Pad A: Chopstick weld inspections continue, and “doubler plates” are installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Golden 1, Golden 2)
- Work on the ship quick disconnect continues.
- Construction on offices and connecting passageway to Starfactory continues. (cnunez, Gisler, RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2).
- Build site: Possible new design of a ship downcomer is spotted. (Golden)
- Massey’s: Test Tank 16 is lifted into test stand/cage. (LabPadre, Mary)
- 1 hour road delay is posted for Aug 21st between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from pad to Sanchez.
McGregor activities (2024-08-19):
- Possible second Raptor 3 test fire, lasting 169 seconds, which matches full duration burn of Super Heavy. (NSF)
Starbase activities (2024-07-12):
- Jul 10th and 11th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, tower segment #2 rolls out to Pad B (LabPadre, NSF, ViX).
- More B12 testing today: Raptor work table moves away from Pad A, road is closed. Still plenty of scaffolding near B12, so static fire is unlikely.
- Tank farm is active (ViX, NSF), chine venting and more venting, launch mount venting and more venting, methane recondensers are active.
- B12 spin prime test (LabPadre, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2). “Cowbell” venting also visible. Chopsticks lower.
- Ship quick disconnect and engine bay purge tests (LabPadre timelapse). SQD retracts and returns, engine bay purge test 1 and test 2, SQD test 2 (retract and return), SQD test 3 (retract and return)
- Build site video tour: Crews work on tower segments at Sanchez, car park painting continues.
- Massey’s: Crews spotted at the top of a tower.
- Brownsville port: Final tower segment preparing for transport (Doherty, Gomez).
- Road closures for “non-flight testing” are posted for July 15th through 17th, all 06:00 to 18:00.
Other:
This thread maybe, next thread definitely!
Starbase activities (2024-07-10):
- Jul 9th addendum (ViX, NSF, Doherty): Tank farm offload area is functional again, B12 is lifted onto launch mount, and booster transport stand returns to build site.
- Jul 9th cryo delivery tally.
- S31 moves back into Megabay 2. Ship is lifted from transport stand onto turntable.
- Pad B: Tower segment #1 moves towards the tower base. CC8800-1 crane is lowered, then raised. Load spreader is attached to tower segment.
- Build site morning video tour.
- Amended road closures for “non-flight testing” are posted, and the July 10th 12:00 to 00:00 closure is scheduled.
- Booster quick disconnect retracts from B12 (not B13). Some venting from B12, followed by road reopening.
- Two July 11th closures ranging from 08:00 to midnight are possible, and one July 12th closure from 08:00 to 00:00 is possible.
Other:
- Recent Starship Gazer videos on Tower B construction and S30 heat shield replacement.
- SpaceX publicly responds to a NYT article on the affects of Starbase on piping plover populations. It is somewhat unusual to see an official SpaceX social media account used in this manner. Anyone else remember any similar examples?
Starbase activities (2024-07-14):
- Jul 13th cryo delivery tally.
- Pad B: Overnight, LTR 1220 crane lifts 2nd elevator section into tower.
- Pad A: Scaffolding is removed from launch mount. Movac trucks empty the retention pond and the detonation suppression system is tested. B12 static fire on Jul 15th seems possible.
- Build site: A Starship V2 nosecone rolls from Starfactory to the Highbay. Starship Gazer identifies it as S33.
- LabPadre comparison of Starship V1 vs V2.
Other:
- New Ringwatcher’s article: What’s New on Super Heavy Booster 12?
- Possible new design for launch mount hold-down arms is spotted at McGregor.
Starbase activities (2024-09-04):
- Sep 3rd cryo delivery tally.
- Sep 3rd addendum: Starhopper relocation timelapse. (ViX)
- Overnight, chopstick rails are tested again. (ViX)
- Chopsticks work continues. (cnunez) Ship lifting pin is reinstalled on the port-side chopstick. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Starboard-side pin may have been reinstalled. (ViX)
- Welding on chopstick bumpers. (Hammer)
- Documentary interview being filmed on chopsticks? (Hammer)
- Starhopper’s new home. (ViX)
- SPMTs arrive at the build site, likely for S31.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for 2024-09-06 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Megabay to Massey’s.
Starbase activities (2024-09-03):
- Sep 2nd cryo delivery tally.
- Starhopper is relocated from launch site to parking lot. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2, Ramirez 3, Hammer, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF full livestream)
- Pad A: The LR11000 lifts and lowers scaffold basket. (ViX)
- Chopsticks work continues. Ship lifting pin arm is retracted. Landing rail and stick movement are tested.
Starbase activities (2024-07-15):
- Jul 14th cryo delivery tally.
- B12 static fire: Sunrise and overpressure notice, NSF livestream. Road closed, tank farm spooling up, chopsticks raised, launch mount venting, prop load begins. Static fire occurs at 10:13, and lasts about eight seconds. (LabPadre, alternate angle, ViX, NSF, Gomez).
- NSF timelapse, Doherty photo, Doherty gif, SpaceX drone photos and videos.
- Build site: Ship transport stand enters Megabay 2. Cnunez posts an S30 tile progress photo.
- Pad B: Probable launch tower winch arrives.
- Brownsville Port: Chopstick rolls towards Starbase.
- Road delay posted for “transportation operations” for Jul 16th, 12:00 to 16:00, possibly for B12 rollback.
Starbase activities (2024-07-25):
- Jul 24th cryo delivery tally, ViX)
- Pad B: Tower segment #4 is stacked on Tower B. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, NSF, Golden, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2, clwphoto1 3)
- Pad A: The LR11000 crane removes one of a recondensers and loads it onto a truck for transport. (ViX)
- S30 still at Massey’s, pending static fire.
- Road delay for transportation operations is posted for Jul 25th 23:00 to Jul 26th 01:00.
Other:
- RGV Aerial post a recent photo of S33 in the Highbay, prior to its move to Megabay 2.