Portions of this thread copied from a Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.
FAQ
- When next launch? (Flight 8) TBD
- When previous launch? (Flight 7)? Booster 14 and Ship 33 launched on 2025-01-16.
- What was the result? Booster lands on chopsticks, ship experiences an RUD shortly before SECO.
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 December | Starship Dev November | IFT-6 launch thread | Starship Dev October | IFT-5 launch thread | Starship Dev 57
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)
Road closures and road delays
Cameron County website - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
*As of 2025-01-01
- 1-hour road delay is posted for Jan 8th from 04:00 to 05:00 for transportation from launch pad to factory.
- 1-hour road delays are posted for Jan 8th from 14:00 and 17:00 or Jan 9th from 00:00 to 03:00 for transportation from factory to launch pad (likely S33 rollout).
Vehicle Status
*As of 2025-01-01
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SN2 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | |
| S20 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | |
| 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 |
| Test Tank 16 | Rocket Garden | Pending scrapping? | Cryo tested four times between July and September. |
| S33 | Caribbean | Destroyed | 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. Spin prime Dec 12th. Static fired Dec 15th and 16th. Starlink simulators loaded Jan 7th. Catch hardware installed Jan 8th. Wet dress rehearsal performed Jan 10th. Launched Jan 16th, experienced an RUD shortly before SECO. |
| S34 | Massey’s | Pending cryo test | Methane header tank spotted Aug 14th. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Sep 20th. Stacking completed around end of November. |
| S35 | Megabay 2 | Assembly | Parts spotted Sep 20th. Forward flap installation Dec 3rd. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Dec 11th. |
| S36 | Starfactory | Assembly | Parts spotted in December. |
| S37 | Starfactory | Assembly | Parts spotted in December. |
| S38 | Starfactory | Assembly | Parts spotted in December. |
| 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 | Build site | Pending inspections | Stacked Apr 26th, Cryo tested Oct 4th and 5th. Static fired Dec 9th. FTS installed Jan 3rd. Wet dress rehearsal performed Jan 10th. Launched and landed Jan 16th. |
| B14.1 | Megabay 1 | Scrapping | Multiple catch simulation “slap tests” performed on Jun 26th and 27th. Scrapping started Jan 12th. |
| B15 | Megabay 1 | Pending engine install | Stacked from July to September. Methane tank cryo test Dec 27th, full cryo test Dec 28th. |
| B16 | Megabay 1 | Pending cryo test | Stacking completed by Dec 26th. |
| B17 | Build Site | Assembly | Parts spotted. First two sections moved to Megabay 1 Jan 4th. |
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 (2025-01-19):
- Jan 18th cryo delivery tally.
- Quiet Sunday.
- S34 moves from Massey’s to Megabay 2 and is lifted onto one of the work stands. (ViX, Priel)
Flight 7:
- Marine traffic indicates that recovery of the B14 hotstaging adapter is being attempted. (mcrs987)
- Debris continues to wash up on the beaches of Turks and Caicos. (u/Bobbyzhak)
Other:
- Elon reply to Kraus regarding booster reuse: “We probably get to zero refurbishment next year”
Starbase activities (2025-01-18):
- Jan 17th cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: B14 moves moves from launch site to production site. (ViX, LabPadre, Priel, Gomez 1, Gomez 2)
- Chopsticks carriage moves from Sanchez to Pad B. (ViX, LabPadre, Priel, Hammer, cnunez)
- Chopsticks carriage is lifted onto the assembly jig. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Priel 1, Priel 2, Gisler)
- Raptor installation platform arrives. (ViX)
- Flame trench work continues at Pad B. (Gisler)
- Pad A doesn’t look too toasted. (Gisler)
- Build site: S35 common dome moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Starkitty is sighted :) (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Mystery equipment is delivered to Starfactory. (ViX)
- Jan 18th road delay is amended to 2 hours between 20:00 and 00:00.
- Water-cooled pipes are being installed on the Pad B flame bucket. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
- Massey’s: S34 performs another full cryo test, likely the final test before rollback. (ViX 1, Priel, Gisler, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- S34 begins rollback to production site. (ViX)
Flight 7:
- Kraus notes that B14 engines fared better than B12, confirmed by Elon
- mcrs987 animation of estimated S33 orientation based on the timing of engine failures and rotation rate at breakup. (Details)
Starbase activities (2025-01-17):
- Jan 17th road closure is revoked. (BocaRoad)
- 1-hour road delay is posted for Jan 18th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from pad to factory (presumably B14 rollback).
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Jan 19th and 20th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to pad (possibly for chopsticks carriage B).
- Launch site: Overnight, the booster transport stand arrives at the launch site. (ViX)
- Post-launch photos of launch mount and B14. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, GroundTruth)
- Engineers are sighted inspecting booster and chopsticks. (Starship Gazer)
- Both the black and the yellow LR11000 cranes are raised. (ViX)
- The yellow LR11000 begins reassembling the chopstick assembly jig. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Anderson)
- Booster quick disconnect disconnects. (ViX)
- B14 is moved from launch mount to transport stand. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Mary, NSF)
Massey’s:
- S34 performs a partial and a full cryo test. (ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel)
Flight 7:
- FAA and SpaceX to perform mishap investigation. (Foust, Beil, FAA)
- Reports of debris falling / washing up in Turks and Caicos. (Robinsmdoka, JevonWilson3, ColeWZY, GraceBayFan)
- mcrs987 speculates that asymmetric engine failure may have altered the trajectory of S33.
KSC:
- Expansion of the Roberts Road facility continues, and parts for constructing a new launch mount are visible. (Stranger)
Starbase activities (2025-01-16):
Launch site:
- Road closure is scheduled. (BocaRoad)
- Road closure is in place. (ViX)
- Helicopter flyby. (ViX, NSF)
- Chopsticks open and landing rails rise. (LabPadre, ViX, Priel)
- Pad is cleared. (ViX)
- Two fast boats are on duty to chase away wayward boats. (Cornwell)
- Tank farm venting. (ViX, Priel)
- CEO arrives. (elonjet)
- Launch mount and tower venting. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, NSF)
- T-0 is pushed to 16:37 CT. (SpaceX)
- Propellant load. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
- Flight 7 happens, B14 is lands on the chopsticks. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, NSF, Mary, Gray, Gisler, Doherty, Dodd, clwphoto1, SpaceX)
- B14 is lowered back onto launch mount. (LabPadre, Priel)
- Compared to Flight 5, Flight 7 shortened the quick disconnect reconnect time from T+6h9m to T+2h26m. (Caton)
- Booster vapour cone. (Beyer, GroundTruthPics, cnunez, Cosmic Perspective, Kraus)
Flight 7:
- S33 experiences a RUD shortly before SECO. (SpaceX)
- S33 reentry videos. (deankolson87 (Turks and Caicos), timmaayd (Turks and Caicos), realcamtem (Dominican Republic), FlyerXT (Caribbean Sea), _thatonedolphin (Airplane, possibly Jet Blue or Iberia, xrae (Disney Treasure cruise ship), adavenport354 (Turks and Caicos))
- Compilation of debris videos, (Scott Manley)
- Flights are diverted. (Manley)
- FAA state that some debris fell “outside of the identified closed aircraft hazard areas”. SpaceX state that “Any surviving pieces of debris would have fallen into the designated hazard area”. (Beil, SpaceX (current, archive))
- Fire observed coming from aft flap hinge. (Manley, Golden 1, Golden 2)
- Elon: “Preliminary indication is that we had an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall that was large enough to build pressure in excess of the vent capacity. Apart from obviously double-checking for leaks, we will add fire suppression to that volume and probably increase vent area. Nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.”
Build site:
- Raptor installation platform moves to the scrap yard. (ViX)
- Booster transport stand moves to the ring yard. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
- Booster transport stand moves to the roadblock. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- RGV Aerial post a recent (Jan 11th) flyover photo of Launch Mount B at Sanchez.
Starbase activities (2025-01-15):
- Jan 14th cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: Chopsticks close. (ViX)
- Build site: Overnight, B12 moves from Megabay 1 to Rocket Garden. Engines have been removed, but some engine shielding remains. (ViX)
- Scaffolding removal has started on the chopsticks for Pad B. (Gisler)
- Mystery structure under construction at Sanchez. (ChromeKiwi)
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Jan 15th from 12:00 to 15:00 for transportation from factory to Massey’s.
- S34 rolls out to Massey’s. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Priel 1, Priel 2, Gray, Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (aft flap), Gisler 3 (fore flap), Gisler 4, clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2)
Flight 7:
- Due to winds, now targeting Jan 16th. (SpaceX, Diez 1, Diez 2)
- Jan 15th road closure is revoked.
Other:
- Alleged photo of a Starship payload bay during reentry, possibly S29 (Flight 4). (BocasBrain)
Mirror
Starbase activities (2025-01-14):
- Jan 13th cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: Ship transport stand moves from the launch site to the build site. (ViX)
- The black LR11000 crane is laid down. (ViX)
- Water is delivered to the deluge system. (ViX)
- Temporary fence is dismantled and trucked away. (ViX)
- Crews hand-lower the catch netting down the side of Tower B. (ViX)
- Build site: A booster stand enters Megabay 1, and B12 is transferred onto it. (ViX)
Flight 7:
- Still targeting Jan 15th, contingent on weather. (SpaceX, Elon)
- Sonic boom notices are posted. (Beil, Cameron County (archive))
- Temporary flight restrictions are posted for the backup dates of Jan 16th and 17th.
KSC:
- Pile drilling continues at LC-39A. (Anderson)
Other:
- FAA public comments meeting concerning increasing the number of launches from Starbase, edited to remove pauses. (Geoff A)
Starbase activities (2025-01-13):
- Jan 12th cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: The black LR11000 crane is still vertical. (ViX)
- Chopsticks open and rise to the top of the tower. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
- 13.5-hour road closures are posted for Jan 15th through 17th from 09:00 to 22:30 for flight testing activities.
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Jan 15th and 16th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey’s.
Flight 7:
Starbase activities (2025-01-09):
- Jan 8th cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: B12 moves from Rocket Garden to Megabay 1, and S35 forward dome moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, NSF, DeffGeff)
- S33 emerges from Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Beil, NSF, clwphoto1)
- S33 and Mechazilla decals are spotted. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Mary, cnunez)
- B14.1 moves from Sanchez to Highbay, likely to swap with B12’s transport stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Priel, cnunez)
- Launch site: Cones are deployed in preparation for S33 rollout. (ViX)
- S33 moves from Megabay 2 to the launch site. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Elon, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, clwphoto1)
- Lift pins deploy, the chopsticks take the weight of S33, stabilizer pins engage, aft flap deploys. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Beil, ViX 4, ViX 5)
- Workers in a lift inspect the left area of the TPS. (Beil)
- Klaxon sounds at the pad, chopsticks take the weight of S33.
- S33 is stacked on B14. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gomez, NSF full livestream)
- Jan 10th road closure is amended, now 10:00 to 22:00 instead of 05:00 to 17:00.
Flight 7:
Starbase activities (2025-01-10):
- Jan 9th cryo delivery tally.
- Jan 9th addendum: SpaceX post photos of stacking.
- Priel comparison of V1 and V2 stacking, Beyer and Hansen comparison of V1 and V2 full stacks.
- Launch site: Detonation suppression system is tested. (ViX)
- S33 flaps are tested. (ViX, NSF)
- Chopsticks are tested. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- B14 and S33 perform a wet dress rehearsal. (NSF full livestream)
- Road is closed, patrol boats are present. (Beil 1, Beil 2, Cornwell / SpacePadre)
- Tank farm venting. (ViX, Beil)
- Cars return to the pad. (Beil)
- Chopsticks open. (Beil)
- Launch mount venting. (Beil, Beil)
- Tower venting. (ViX, Beil)
- Engine chill venting. (ViX)
- Ship LOX tank frost. (ViX, NSF, Beil 1)
- Full propellant load. (NSF, Mary, Beil 1, Beil 2)
- Detonation suppression system is tested. (NSF)
- Timelapses: (LabPadre, ViX, Priel)
- SpaceX photos and video.
- Shana Diez (Director, Starship Engineering) report: “Lots learned and lots of data to work through this weekend. But only a few things left before flight test.”
- Build site: 2-hour road delays are posted for Jan 13th and 14th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey’s.
Flight 7:
- 13.5-hour road closures are posted for Jan 13th through 15th from 09:00 to 22:30 for flight testing activities.
- NOTMAR, NOTAM, and MSIB notices are issued for Jan 13th. (ViX, Gomez)
- Two navigational warnings for the Indian Ocean are cancelled. (Beil 1, Beil 2)
- An amusing typo (ViX, Edwards) was present in the FAA advisory, now corrected, but archived here.
Starbase activities (2025-01-06):
- Jan 5th cryo delivery tally.
- Quite a bit reported on Jan 6th.
- Build site: Mystery flat-packed delivery to Starfactory. (ViX)
- Ten Starlink simulators are spotted in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer photo, Starship Gazer video)
- The black LTR1220 crane slightly reconfigures the ship transport SPMTs. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Explosion warning signs are spotted on Megabay 2, suggesting that S33 flight termination system is being installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
- Ship lifting jig stand arrives outside Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Ship transport stand enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S33 is lifted onto the transport stand in Megabay 2. (ViX, LabPadre)
- Megabay 2 door opens, revealing S33 with new catch point tiles, an open Pez door, and Crew Dragon stickers on the flaps. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, TheRedstoneHive)
- Launch site: The transport stand for the hot staging adapter moves from the build site to the launch site. (ViX, NSF)
- An afternoon attempt to remove B14’s hot staging adapter is aborted, likely due to wind conditions (LabPadre, ViX). Another attempt is made in the evening (NSF).
- The yellow LR11000 crane moves towards Pad B, where it will likely lie down prior to Flight 7. (ViX)
- Parts for a new crane begin arriving at the launch site, and are assembled. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- A small crane is also delivered. (ViX)
Other:
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of Starfactory.
- TheSpaceEngineer posts a flow schematic for Raptor 3. Unclear what information this is based on, likely somewhat speculative.
KSC:
- Expansion of the Roberts Road facility continues. (Stranger)
Starbase activities (2025-01-12):
- Jan 11th cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: B14 “cowbell” vent covers are replaced. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Anderson 3, ViX)
- Chopsticks rise around S33. (ViX, Beil)
- S33 is restacked on B14. (LabPadre, ViX, clwphoto1, Starship Gazer, Priel, NSF, SpacePadre, Mary, Beyer, Gisler)
- S33 heat shield closeups posted by Tyler Gray.
- The booster work platform and the ship transport stand move away from the launch mount. (ViX)
- Build site: Video tour
- The first two scrapped sections of B14.1 emerges from Highbay. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
KSC:
- Pile drilling is observed at LC-39A. (Anderson)
Starbase activities (2025-01-05):
- Jan 4th cryo delivery tally.
- Jan 4th addendum: A load spreader is moved from the build site to the launch site, possibly for hot stage adapter removal. (ViX)
- Pad A: Scaffolding is removed from the top of the tower. (clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
- The yellow LR11000 crane moves around into position for hot stage adapter removal. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Build site: Ship transport stand moves in front of Megabay 2, presumably for S33 rollout. (Starship Gazer)
- RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos: B14 on launch mount, launch site, Pad B, flame trench, and launch mount B at Sanchez)
Flight 7:
- Infographic from Vikranth Jonna summarizing new objectives and changes.
KSC:
- Recent satellite photo of LC-39A: (Stranger 1, Stranger 2)
Starbase activities (2025-01-04):
- Jan 3rd cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: The first two sections (common dome and aft 2) of B17’s LOX tank enter Megabay 1. Shorter stringers are observed. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, NSF)
- Pad A: B14 closeup from Starship Gazer.
- Pad B: The upper crossbeam of the chopsticks assembly jig is removed. (ViX)
- Two excavators perform a choreographed rebar-shifting ballet. (ViX)
- Golden’s thoughts on Starship’s launch cadence in 2025.
- Beil comparison of Falcon Heavy and Starship launch cadence.
Starbase activities (2025-01-03):
- Jan 2nd cryo delivery tally.
- Pad A: Overnight, the flight termination system is installed on B14. (Golden, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
- Launch mount work continues. (Starship Gazer)
- Booster stabilizer pins are removed. (ViX, Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
- Pad B: Panelling is added to the roof of the tower base. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Build site: Starkitty is sighted. (ViX)
- Video tour. (ViX)
- An owl is sighted. (ViX)
Flight 7:
- Mexican NOTAM is posted. (ViX 1, ViX 2, RGV Aerial, FAA (PDF))
- NASA5, the Gulfstream V, is scheduled to fly to Brisbane. (ViX, rocketjunkie94)
- Lars Blackmore is excited to see the results of the forward flap redesign.
- SpaceX publish an update on their website (current, archive). Highlights:
- “Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight”
- Multiple metallic test tiles on S33, including one with active cooling.
- “non-structural versions of ship catch fittings are installed”
Flight 6:
- SpaceX post a recap video, including a brief drone shot of S31 after splashdown.
- Cause of Flight 6 booster offshore divert: Sensors on the tower chopsticks were damaged at launch. Additional protections to the sensors have been added.
Starbase activities (2025-01-01):
- Happy New Year, folks!
- Dec 31st cryo delivery tally.
- Not much action reported on New Year’s Day. All is quiet.
- Photos of the launch site. B14 still on launch mount A. (cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, Robert Opal)
- Photo of the build site: cnunez
- Launch Mount B: Some potential water feed pipes for the water cooled pancake are spotted. ChromeKiwi renders and thoughts.