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 August or early September”, per Elon. IFT-5 is NET Aug 31st, per Elon. (3 weeks from Aug 10th)
- 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 | Rocket Garden | 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 | Pending heatshield replacement | 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. |
S32 | Rocket Garden | Resting | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps |
S33 | Megabay 2 | Stacked | First V2 Starship. Nosecone spotted Jul 14th. Forward section spotted Jul 27th. Stacking completed Aug 23. |
S34 | Build site | Parts spotted | Methane header tank spotted Aug 14th. |
Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
B12 | Megabay 1 | 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 (2024-09-09):
- Sep 8th cryo delivery update.
- Sep 9th is a wet day at Starbase. (Gomez, Cooper_Hime, Garza)
- Build site video tour, including an interesting delivery, plausibly an HLS airlock prototype article. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, TheSpaceEngineer 1, TheSpaceEngineer 2)
- Massey’s: Test Tank 16 undergoes testing.
Starbase activities (2024-09-08):
- Sep 7th cryo delivery tally.
- Chopsticks work continues. A coat of “something” has been applied to both bumpers. (Hammer)
- Massey’s: S31 begins cryo test, but aborts. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF)
- RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of the launch site, Massey’s, and office construction.
Starbase activities (2024-09-07):
- Sep 6th cryo delivery tally.
- Overnight, lay down of CC8800-1 crane is completed.
- Quiet Saturday, no significant action is reported.
Other:
- Elon update on Mars timeline: Uncrewed Starship NET 2026, crewed Starship NET 2029, which is pretty much the most ambitious timeline possible. I wouldn’t be surprised if the uncrewed tests slip by one transfer window, and I’m expecting the crewed missions to slip by at least a two or three transfer windows. I’m glad they’re setting ambitious internal goals though.
Starbase activities (2024-09-06):
- No Sep 5th cryo delivery tally.
- Sep 5th addendum: Compilation timelapses of chopstick tests, including a full launch rehearsal from BQD retraction to chopsticks catch. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2) When the chopsticks are at the top of the tower, their momentum causes a noticeable amount of tower sway. (Anderson)
- Build site: Overnight, S31 moves to Massey’s. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer photo, Starship Gazer video, NSF, NSF video, Beyer, Gisler, Doherty)
- Pad A: Chopsticks testing continues. Chopsticks close, landing rails rise, landing rails lower.
- Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane is laid down. (ViX, Hammer)
- Massey’s: Crews were spotted at Test Tank 16. (Hammer)
Starbase activities (2024-09-05):
- Sep 4th cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: Overnight, ship test stand arrives at Megabay 2. Ship lifting jig enters Megabay 2 and is attached to bridge crane. (ViX)
- Counterweights are moved to the rear of the two SPMTs, which then transport S31 from Highbay to Megabay 2. Ship is then transferred from transport stand to test stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, DeffGeff, cnunez, Gisler, Gisler (tile closeup), Hammer)
- Office and passageway construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Both ship lift pins are now installed. (ViX, Hammer)
- In the morning, chopsticks are raised.
- Simulated catch test. Ship quick disconnect swings away, chopsticks close. (LabPadre, ViX, Doherty)
- Landing rails are tested. (ViX)
- Additional chopstick testing. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, NSF 1, NSF 2, Anderson (compilation))
- Chopsticks are lowered. (ViX)
- Launch mount has been repainted. (Starship Gazer)
- Massey’s: Frost is observed on Test Tank 16. (ViX)
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 (2024-07-11):
- 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 (2024-08-24):
- 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 (2024-08-22):
- 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 (2024-07-25):
- 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.
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.