Portions of this thread copied from a Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.
FAQ
- When next launch? (Flight 7) NET Jan 11th according to recent documentation NASA filed with the FAA. (Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera 1, Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera 2)
- When previous launch? (Flight 6)? Booster 13 and Ship 31 launched on 2024-11-19.
- What was the result? Booster catch attempt aborted, performed soft splashdown in the Gulf. Ship performs in-space raptor relight, survives reentry, and makes an on-target splashdown.
Quick Links
Nerdle Cam | Lab Cam | Sapphire Cam | Sentinel Cam | Rover Cam | Rover 2.0 Cam | Rocket Ranch Cam | Plex Cam | NSF Starbase Live
Starship Dev October | IFT-5 launch thread | Starship Dev 57 | Starship Dev 56 | IFT-4 launch thread | Starship Dev 55
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)
Road closures
Cameron County website - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
*As of 2024-11-19
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Nov 1st (01:00 to 04:00) and 2nd (00:00 and 03:00) for transport from Massey’s to factory. (Presumably S33 rollback)
- 1-hour road delays are posted for Nov 11th (19:00 to 22:00) and 12th (10:00 to 13:00) for transport from factory to pad, likely B13 rollout.
- 1-hour road delays are posted for Nov 13th (00:00 to 03:00 or 12:00 to 15:00) and 14th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to pad, either backups for B13 rollout or for S31 rollout.
- 8-hour road closure is scheduled for Nov 17th (08:00 to 16:00) for non-flight testing activities.
- 14-hour road closures are posted for Nov 18th, 19th, and 20th (all 08:00 to 22:00), for flight testing activities, presumably IFT-6.
- Nov 20th road closure is revoked.
- 1-hour road delay was posted for Nov 21st (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to pad, but then revoked.
Vehicle Status
*As of 2024-11-21
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S20 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | |
| S26 | Scrap yard | Scrapped | 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. Scrapping began Nov 20th, and finished around Nov 27th. |
| S30 | Indian Ocean | Successful splashdown | 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. Full stack cryo tests Sep 23rd and Oct 7th. FTS installed Oct 9th. Launched Oct 13th, with on-target splashdown in Indian Ocean. |
| S31 | Indian Ocean | Successful splashdown | 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. Preflight checkouts completed Nov 17th. Launched as IFT-6 on Nov 19th. In-space raptor relight was successful, ship survived reentry and performed soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean. |
| S32 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps |
| S33 | Megabay 2 | Pending engine install | First V2 Starship. Nosecone spotted Jul 14th. Forward section spotted Jul 27th. Stacking completed Aug 23. Cryo tested Oct 29th (partial), 30th (full), and 31st (full). Raptor installation begins Nov 9th. |
| 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 | Megabay 1 | Post-flight inspection | Cryo x2, Static fire Jul 15th. Full stack cryo tests Sep 23rd and Oct 7th. FTS installed Oct 9th. Launched as IFT-5 on Oct 13, returned to launch site for successful chopstick catch. Moved to Megabay 1 Oct 15th. |
| B13 | Gulf of Mexico | Successful splashdown | Cryo tests Apr 26th (methane tank) and Apr 29th (LOX tank). Static fired Oct 24th. Preflight checkouts completed Nov 17th. Launched as IFT-6 on Nov 19th. Chopsticks catch attempt was aborted, performed soft splashdown in the Gulf. |
| B14 | Megabay 1 | Pending gridfin install | Stacked Apr 26th, Cryo tested Oct 4th and 5th. |
| 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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This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:
Starship Development Thread December 2024
Starbase activities (2024-11-02):
- Nov 1st cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, S33 rolls back from Massey’s to Megabay 2. (LabPadre, ViX, Priel, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Build site: Starfactory and office construction continues. (Gisler)
- A couple peeks through the windows of Starfactory. (Gisler 1 (nosecone), Gisler 2)
- Pad A: Refurbishment of the launch mount and chopsticks continues. (Starship Gazer)
- Sanchez: Work on launch mount and chopsticks carriage for Pad B continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Massey’s: Work on the “can-crusher” test stand continues. (Gisler)
- RGV Aerial post a photo of S33 at Massey’s (prior to rollback), and a comparison photo of the launch site between 2019-01 and 2024-10.
Other:
Starbase activities (2024-11-03):
- Nov 2nd cryo delivery tally.
- Quiet Nov 3 Sunday.
- Pad B: CC8800-1 crane disassembly continues. (ViX)
- RGV Aerial post photos from Friday’s flyover: Office building, S33 at Massey’s prior to rollback, Pad B flame trench construction, Sanchez launch mount B construction (closeup).
Cape Canaveral activities:
Starbase activities (2024-11-04):
- Not too much action reported today.
- Pad B: Concrete pouring for the flame trench. (ViX)
- Sanchez: More sections are delivered for launch mount B. (NSF)
- cnunez posts recent photos of launch mount parts (tweet 1, tweet 2), nosecone (S35?) in Starfactory, and S31 in the Highbay.
Other:
- Assembly animation of launch mount B. (Spacex 3D Creation Eccentric)
- Tweet thread from mcrs987 with selected Starship-related internal emails within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, reportedly acquired by a Freedom Of Information Act request: Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5, tweet 6, tweet 7, tweet 8, tweet 9, tweet 10, tweet 11, tweet 12, tweet 13, tweet 14.
- As the above tweet thread may have some bias against the FWS, I am including a link to the original FOIA here: https://www.fws.gov/media/doi-fws-2023-004473-2nd-reponse-records
Starbase activities (2024-11-05):
- Nov 4th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, four new curved work platforms are delivered to Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- Transfer tube spotted in Megabay 2, likely for S34. (ViX)
- Starkitty is sighted :)
- Pad B: CC8800-1 disassembly continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, NSF)
- Flame trench construction continues. (ViX)
McGregor:
- A Raptor 3 undergoes an RUD on the vertical test stand. (_jaykeeganN_ / NSF)
Other:
Starbase activities (2024-11-06):
- Nov 5th cryo delivery tally.
- Pad B: CC8800-1 crane disassembly continues. Two more truckloads of parts depart. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the launch site.
- Some sort of box/cover is lifted into place at the tank farm. (clwphoto1)
- Construction on passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. Window installation in progress. (Gisler)
- Build site: The A4:4 LOX section for B16 moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (ViX)
- Sanchez: Construction continues on launch mount B. All four corner sections are in place. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- The pez load has shrunk. (ViX)
IFT-6:
-
FAA NOTAMN is posted for Nov 18th through 26th. (LabPadre)
-
SpaceX announce November 18th as the NET date for flight 6, and post info on mission objectives and changes since flight 5. Highlights:
Hardware upgrades for this flight add additional redundancy to booster propulsion systems, increase structural strength at key areas, and shorten the timeline to offload propellants from the booster following a successful catch. Mission designers also updated software controls and commit criteria for the booster’s launch and return.
An additional objective for this flight will be attempting an in-space burn using a single Raptor engine, further demonstrating the capabilities required to conduct a ship deorbit burn prior to orbital missions.
The flight test will assess new secondary thermal protection materials and will have entire sections of heat shield tiles removed on either side of the ship in locations being studied for catch-enabling hardware on future vehicles. The ship also will intentionally fly at a higher angle of attack in the final phase of descent, purposefully stressing the limits of flap control to gain data on future landing profiles. Finally, adjusting the flight’s launch window to the late afternoon at Starbase will enable the ship to reenter over the Indian Ocean in daylight, providing better conditions for visual observations.
Starbase activities (2024-11-07):
- Nov 6th cryo delivery tally.
- Pad A: The remaining subcooler is lifted into position. (ViX, Gisler)
- Work on chopsticks continues. Workers observed on the booster quick disconnect. (cnunez, ViX)
- Pad B: CC8800-1 disassembly continues. Six truckloads depart from the launch site. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Build site: Scaffolding is delivered, glass installation continues on the passageway between Starfactory and offices. (ViX)
- Two new semi-circular work platforms arrive at Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Booster CO2 tank moves from Starfactory towards Megabay 1. (ViX)
- Hotstage ring spotted outside Megabay 1. (Anderson / LabPadre)
- S31 receives a “banana for scale” sticker. (Starship Gazer, Mary, Gisler, cnunez, Ramirez)
- Sanchez: Launch mount B construction continues. The GMK 7550 crane lifts the first and second (of four) side sections into position. (ViX, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- Rocket Garden: Counterweights are added to SPMTs, likely in preparation for B13 rollout. (ViX)
- 1-hour road delays are posted for Nov 11th (19:00 to 22:00) and 12th (10:00 and 13:00) for transport from factory to pad, likely B13 rollout.
McGregor:
- The tripod stand is being retired. Some tanks are removed. (NSF)
Awesome post, OP. Thank you!!
You’re welcome! Glad to know it is appreciated!
Starbase activities (2024-11-28):
- Nov 27th cryo delivery tally.
- Not too much action reported on Nov 28th.
- Gisler posts recent photos of the Tower A antenna, the yellow LR11000 crane at Pad B, and a Starfactory photo of S34 or S35 nosecone.
Starbase activities (2024-11-29):
- Not much reported. Either SpaceX are on holiday, or the local photographers are, or both.
- Nov 28th cryo delivery tally.
KSC:
- A new crane is staged in front of the SpaceX-built LOX tank at LC-39A. (Golden / GregScott)
- The Roberts Road facility may be preparing for the construction of a 4th Starship launch tower. (Golden / GregScott)
Starbase activities (2024-11-30):
- Nov 29th cryo delivery tally.
- The long weekend of low activity continues.
- cnunez posts current photos of Tower B. (wide, closeup)
- Labelled map of build site from RGV Aerial and BingoBoca.
KSC:
- Launch Mount parts have arrived at the Roberts Road facility. (GregScott 1, GregScott 2)
Starbase activities (2024-11-01):
- Oct 31st cryo delivery tally. ViX shares an outdated but useful infographic on how many deliveries are required for launch.
- Oct 31st addendum: NSF timelapse of S33 cryo test at Massey’s.
- Pad B: The disassembled CC8800-1 crane begins to depart, starting with crane mats and counterweights. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Build site: S34 aft LOX section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of office construction.
- Massey’s: S33 prepares for rollback. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer)
Other:
- NSF article on pending upgrades to Starship facilities in Florida.
- Additional highlight summaries on Starship HLS mockup from Kirtland, Bickmore, and Li. Two floors, five bedrooms, laboratory, airlock, life support, four control seats, and a 40-foot ceiling in one area.
Starbase activities (2024-11-08):
- Nov 7th cryo delivery tally.
- Sanchez: Launch mount B construction continues. The third (of four) side sections is lifted into position. (ViX)
- Build site: Overnight, scaffolding is removed from S31. (ViX)
- Hot stage adapter moves from Starfactory towards Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- CO2 tank is lifted, presumably up to B13. (ViX)
- Boxes labeled SN1 and SN2 are spotted. (LabPadre)
- Two SPMTs arrive at the build site. The LTR1220 crane shifts some of the counterweights, and the SPMTs enter the Highbay. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- cnunez posts a recent photo of a partially tiled nosecone in Starfactory.
- Pad A: The chopsticks and the ship quick disconnect are tested. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- Pad B: The LR11000 crane removes a net from Tower B. (ViX)
- 1-hour road delays are posted for Nov 13th (00:00 to 03:00 or 12:00 to 15:00) and 14th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to pad, either backups for B13 rollout or for S31 rollout.
McGregor:
- Final tank is removed from the tripod stand. (Adam Cuker / NSF)
- Tom Mueller is sad to see it go.
Other:
Starbase activities (2024-11-10):
- Nov 8th cryo delivery tally.
- Nov 9th addendum: S31 moves out of the corner of Highbay. (ViX)
- Sanchez: Launch mount B construction continues. The fourth and final side sections is delivered. (ViX)
- Build site: All six of S33’s raptors have now arrived at Megabay 2. “In sequence, we had RV275, RV305, RC385, RC345, RC316 and RV398.” (ViX)
- cnunez posts recent photos of S31 and chopsticks carriage for Pad B.
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of Pad B / Pad West.
Other:
- Chinese launch startup Cosmoleap are already testing their own prototype tower and chopsticks hardware. (CNSpaceflight)
Starbase activities (2024-11-09):
- Nov 8th cryo delivery tally.
- Sanchez: RGV Aerial post a recent photo of launch mount B construction.
- Build site: Vacuum raptors SN275 and SN305 arrive at Megabay 2, presumably for installation on S33. SN305 was the engine which was struck by a drone during the filming of a promotional video on 2023-10-04. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, Starship Gazer, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gisler, SpaceRhin0)
- Starkitty sighted. (ViX)
- Sea level raptor SN385 arrives at Megabay 2. (NSF, cnunez, SpaceRhin0)
- Construction on passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler)
- Pad A: Work continues on the launch mount and chopsticks. (Priel, RGV Aerial)
- Tower closeup from cnunez.
Other:
- Kathy Lueders (Starbase General Manager) states that they are targeting ship recovery within 6 months, and 25 launches in 2025. (Felix Space Time, Jack Kuhr, Hacia el Espacio)
