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
Starbase activities (2024-09-30):
- Sep 29th cryo delivery update. (clarification)
- Pad A: Ship quick disconnect retracts from S30 (ViX, NSF), work platform deploys and ship ports are sealed, and work platform retracts.
- Ship quick disconnect arm retracts (ViX, NSF), and S30 is destacked from B12. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Beyer, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- S30 not “ready-to-roll”. Purpose of destack is potentially for B12 access. (ViX)
- Load spreader arrives, the LR11000 crane rolls towards the launch mount, the load spreader is attached, and the hot stage ring is destacked from B12.
- Pad B: Safety netting removal begins. (ViX)
- Build site: More launch mount parts are delivered. (Beyer)
- Construction on passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
- Scaffolding has been erected around the chopsticks carriage destined for Pad B. (Gisler)
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Oct 2nd and 3rd between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
McGregor:
- The longest duration Raptor engine test (897 seconds, ~15 minutes) is performed. (NSF)
- Previous record was 330 seconds, set on 2023-06-04.
Starbase activities (2024-09-29):
- Pad A: S30 still stacked on B12, still not launching yet. (Beyer, LabPadre, Ansuini, clwphoto1)
- S30 transport stand moves towards the launch mount. (ViX)
- Build site: New road markings are painted. (ViX)
- Second set of chopsticks are receiving the same reinforcements as the first set. (Anderson)
- S32, S26, and S20 are still in the Rocket Garden. (cnunez)
- RGV Aerial post recent photos of Sanchez, Massey’s, launch site, B11 aft section, and Pad B flame trench construction.
Maritime:
- HOS Ridgewind is back at the B11 splashdown site. (Cornwell)
Other:
- Lewis Knaggs speculative renders of Pad B launch mount. Zack Golden’s thoughts.
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:
Starbase activities (2024-07-13):
- Overnight, final tower segment moves from Brownsville Port to Sanchez (LabPadre, ViX, Doherty, NickyX, Gomez 1, Gomez 2).
- Jul 12th cryo delivery tally.
- Nighttime tanker convoy.
- Action at Megabay 2 (LabPadre, Ringwatchers). Likely a ship v2 test tank.
- Ship v2 payload section enters the Highbay (Starship Gazer, Ringwatchers).
- S30 heat shield replacement continues.
- Pad B: Load spreader detaches from tower segment #1 and attaches to tower segment #2 (Vix, NSF 1, NSF 2).
- Pad A: Chopsticks move to either side of B12 and are lowered. SQD arm swings in. Chopsticks, their arms wide. Scaffolding is being removed from the launch mount.
- RGV Aerial posts recent photos of office construction, Pad A, Pad B, and Massey’s.
Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I’ve seen in this thread:
Fewer Letters More Letters FAA Federal Aviation Administration LOX Liquid Oxygen NSF NasaSpaceFlight forum ~ National Science Foundation Jargon Definition Raptor Methane-fueled rocket engine under development by SpaceX
[Thread #50 for this sub, first seen 15th Jul 2024, 04:50] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]
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 (2024-07-15):
- 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 (2024-07-16):
- Jul 15th cryo delivery tally.
- Jul 15th addendum: Booster transport stand moves toward Pad A. Booster quick disconnect retracts from B12.
- Overnight, a chopstick arrives at Sanchez.
- Pad B: In the early morning, module 2 is stacked on the tower, and the load spreader is removed. Media: LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Starship Gazer, Doherty, DeffGeff, cnunez, Hammer.
- Pad A: B12 is destacked (NSF livestream, Starship Gazer, NSF timelapse, Doherty), briefly repositioned on the transport stand, rolls to the build site (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Doherty, cnunez), and enters Megabay 1.
- Transport stand for tower module 2 also rolls back (DeffGeff, Hammer).
- A grackle briefly blocks the view of the cryo deliveries.
Other:
- SpaceX headquarters are moving from Hawthorne to Starbase… due to a transgender protection law? I fail to see how this is relevant to the aerospace industry. Seems like it may have already been in the works for some time, as office construction is well under way.
Starbase activities (2024-07-17):
- Jul 16th addendum: Starkitty sighted :)
- Jul 16th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, tower module 3 rolls out to Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF)
- Tower module rolls into position and the load spreader is attached in the around midday.
- At Pad B, a column to support the Drawworks flooring and an angled wall section are moved into place.
- Another elevator shaft section is installed in tower B, and the construction elevator is now operational.
- Pad A: The LR 11000 crane moves towards the launch mount.
- The remaining chopstick is preparing for transport from Brownsville Port to Starbase.
Starbase activities (2024-07-18):
- Jul 17th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, the remaining chopstick moves from Brownsville Port to Starbase. (LabPadre, ViX, Beyer, NSF)
- Also overnight, the second and third angled wall sections are lifted to Tower B.
- In the morning, tower module 3 is stacked. (LabPadre, ViX, DeffJeff, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF timelapse, Beyer, Starship Gazer, Doherty, )
- Lifting jig disconnects from tower.
- A large spool of some sort (Drawworks cables?) heads towards launch site. (closeup)
- The chopsticks carriage is preparing for transport from Brownsville Port to Starbase. (Doherty, cnunez)
Other:
- New annotated Starbase maps from Boca Bingo.
Starbase activities (2024-07-19):
- Jul 18th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, chopsticks carriage moves from Brownsville Port to Sanchez. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Gomez, Beyer).
- Starship V2 test tank moves from Megabay 2 to Massey’s. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF 1, NSF 2).
- S30: Scaffolding has been removed from nosecone.
- New hardware spotted at build site. Possible ship lifting jig and stairs.
- A peek at the Pez dispenser inside the Starlink building.
- New road delays posted for “transportation operations” on Jul 21st (06:00 to 09:00 or 12:00 to 03:00) and for “operaciones de transporte” on Jul 22nd (00:00 to 03:00).
Starbase activities (2024-07-20):
- Jul 19th cryo delivery tally.
- New ship lifting jig briefly hoisted to vertical for laser level check.
- Old ship lifting jig and ship static fire stand arrive at the build site (ViX, Doherty). Lifting jig hooks up to Megabay 2 bridge crane, and the jig transport stand departs.
- S30 moves from Highbay towards Megabay 2 (LabPadre, ViX)
- Cnunez posts a photo of the test tank at Massey’s.
- Jul 20th cryo delivery tally.
Starbase activities (2024-07-21):
- Overnight, S30 is lifted onto static fire stand. (NSF, Starship Gazer)
- S30 moves to Massey’s. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
- S30 at Massey’s and closeups. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, cnunez 1, cnunez 2)
- Cnunez also posts nighttime photos of Starfactory and office construction progress.
- Starkitty sighted :)
Other:
- New Ringwatchers article: Just Don’t Melt: Flight 5’s Upgraded Heat Shield
- RGV Aerial post recent photos of the launch site, build site, and Massey’s.
Starbase activities (2024-07-22):
- Jul 21st cryo delivery tally.
- Jul 21st addendum: Following work on the Megabay 2 bridge crane hook, the new ship lifting jig is hoisted to vertical in Megabay 2.
- A flock umbrellas begin their annual migration :)
- Overnight, tower module #4 moves from Sanchez to the Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF timelapse, NSF closeup)
- One sea level Raptor (#374) and two R-Vacs (#320 and #391) enter Megabay 2, likely to be installed on S31. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Beyer)
- At Massey’s, S30 is prepared for a potential static fire on Jul 23rd.
Starbase activities (2024-07-23):
- Jul 22 addendum: New Pez dispenser door enters the Highbay.
- S31: R-Vac #376, RC #386, and RC unknown enter Megabay 2.
- Pad B: CC8800-1 load spreader is raised and attached to tower module #4. (LabPadre, ViX)
- B15: upgraded aft section is spotted, featuring small internal tanks mounted on the LOX landing tank.
Other:
- RGV Aerial post a recent photo of the Sanchez site.
Starbase activities (2024-07-24):
- Jul 23rd addendum: B15 aft section enters Megabay 1, and a pair of grid fins head towards Starfactory.
- Jul 23rd cryo delivery tally.
- S33 forward section emerges from the Highbay and moves to Megabay 2, likely in preparation for stacking.
- cnunez posts several photos: Pad B 1, Pad B 2, Pad B 3, office construction, Megabay 2.
Other:
- A doofus flies his drone over SpaceX property. If you ever visit Starbase (or any launch facility) don’t be like this guy.