FAQ
- When next launch? (Flight 8) SpaceX have applied for the FCC (not FAA) license, launch NET Feb 24th. (Starship Gazer, FCC)
- 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
Flight 7 launch thread | Starship Dev January | Starship Dev December | Starship Dev November | IFT-6 launch thread | Starship Dev October | IFT-5 launch thread
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)
Road closures and road delays
Cameron County website - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
*As of 2025-02-02
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 4th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey’s. Potential candidates are S34 static fire, Test Tank 16 cryo test, or B16 cryo test.
- 1-hour road delay is posted for Feb 8th from 00:00 to 06:00 for transportation from factory to launch pad. B15 rollout for static fire seems likely.
- 12-hour road closures are posted for Feb 9th, 10th, and 11th from 07:00 to 19:00 for non-flight testing activities.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 9th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from Massey’s to factory.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 10th from 00:00 to 04:00, 06:00 to 10:00, 12:00 to 16:00, 21:00 to 00:00, for transportation from factory to Massey’s.
- 12-hour road closures for Feb 10th and 11th are revoked.
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Feb 12th and 13th, 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Pad.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 12th, 00:00 to 04:00 or 18:00 to 22:00 for transport from Massey’s to factory.
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Feb 13th and 14th, 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Pad.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 12th, 20:00 to 00:00 for transport from Massey’s to factory.
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Feb 13th and 14th, 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Pad.
Vehicle Status
*As of 2025-02-10
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 | Highbay | Scrapped | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps. Scrapping began early Feb, ended mid Feb. |
| Test Tank 16 | Massey’s | Testing | Cryo tested four times between July and September. Sliding plates added to the catch points on Jan 27th. |
| 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 | Megabay 2 | Pending rollout | Methane header tank spotted Aug 14th. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Sep 20th. Stacking completed around end of November. Cryo tested Jan 17th. Static fired Feb 11th. FTS installed Feb 24th. |
| S35 | Megabay 2 | Pending flap install | Parts spotted Sep 20th. Forward flap installation Dec 3rd. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Dec 11th. Stacked by Feb 7th. |
| S36 | Megabay 2 | Stacking | Parts spotted in December. Moved to Megabay 2 Feb 12th. |
| S37 | Starfactory | Nose cone tiling | 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 | Megabay 1 | 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 hot staging adapter install | Stacked from July to September. Methane tank cryo test Dec 27th, full cryo test Dec 28th. Static fired Feb 9th. |
| 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. |
| B18.1 | Build site | Assembly | Likely a test article for Block 2 boosters. Parts spotted Feb 24th. |
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 (2025-02-28):
- Feb 27th cryo delivery tally.
- Feb 27th addendum: Pad B chopsticks testing timelapse from NSF.
- Massey’s: Overnight, B16 rolls out to Massey’s. (NSF, ViX, Starship Gazer)
- B16 performs a cryo test on the methane tank. (ViX)
- Build site: One of the cooling manifolds is lifted to launch mount B. (ViX)
- S32 scrapping continues, possibll completed. (ViX)
- Launch site: Another water tank arrives for Pad B. (ViX)
- Pad B chopstick testing continues. (ViX)
- B15 flight termination system installation and inspections. (NSF, ViX)
- New tank farm vapourizers are tested. (ViX)
- 1-hour road delay is posted for Mar 2nd, from 01:00 to 05:00 for transport from factory to pad.
- Another 1-hour road delay is posted, also for Mar 2nd, from 10:00 to 13:00 or 16:00 to 21:00 for transport from factory to pad. (S34 rollout?)
Flight 8:
- Starship can return to flight while the flight 7 mishap investigation remains open. (NSF / FAA (archive))
- At the pad, the yellow LR11000 crane begins to lower, and the black LR11000 crane will likely follow suit. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
McGregor:
- Test tank receives a can-crusher-style cap. (NSF / Anderson)
This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:
Starship Development Thread March 2025
Starbase activities (2025-02-27):
- Feb 26th cryo delivery tally.
- Pad A: Overnight, B15 hotstaging adapter is removed, and an SPMT rolls out to the launch site. (NSF, ViX)
- Another tank arrives at the launch site. (ViX)
- Workers observed near B15 flight termination system location. No confirmation of installation yet. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
- B15 hotstaging adapter is reinstalled. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
- Pad B: Chopsticks testing continues, rising higher than previous tests. (ViX 1, ViX)
- 5-hour road delay is posted for Feb 28th from 00:00 to 04:00, and a 4-hour road delay is posted for Mar 1st, both for transport from Brownsville Port to pad.
- Build site: In Megabay 2, the ship lifting jig is raised and positioned over S34. (ViX)
- S32 scrapping continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- S35 tile work continues. (Planatus666 1, Planatus666 2)
- S36’s A2:3 section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Booster transport stand arrives and enters Megabay 1, likely in preparation for B16 transport to Massey’s. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
Flight 8:
- Feb 28th and Mar 1st road closures are revoked.
- Road closures are posted for Mar 3rd, 4th, and 5th, from 10:30 to 23:30 for flight testing activities. Mar 3rd closure is scheduled.
- The FAA have issued the launch license modification. (NSF, FAA)
- Temporary flight restriction for the Gulf of Mexico is published.
McGregor:
- Possible cryo test of a Block 2 booster test tank. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
Starbase activities (2025-02-26):
- Feb 25th cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: Ship stand arrives outside Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S35 progressing in Megabay 2. (cnunez)
- Parking garage mural is being painted over. (Gisler)
- RGV Aerial post a photo of the flame diverter for Pad B.
- Pad A: Multiple tests of the detonation suppression system are observed. (NSF)
- Chopsticks testing with B15 is observed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- Plumbing work at the tank farm continues. (Gisler)
- B15 hot staging adapter is removed. (LabPadre)
- Pad B: A fifth (and final?) water tank for the Pad-B deluge arrives. (ViX)
- Chopsticks raise and lower for the first time. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
- Construction of the booster quick disconnect gantry continues. (ViX, Starship Gazer, House 1, House 2, cnunez)
- Numerous cement trucks are observed near the flame trench area. (Gisler)
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of Pad B.
- Knaggs posts a series of updated launch mount renders. (Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, )
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Feb 27th and 28th, 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to pad.
Flight 8:
- Fast Crew Ship Hannah Ray (which supported the previous two Starship flights) is en route Port Isabel. (Cornwell)
- “Now targeting to launch Starship’s eighth flight test as soon as Monday, March 3” (SpaceX)
KSC:
- Cryogenic tanks are set to arrive at Port Canaveral from overseas for an unnamed aerospace company as early as Saturday. (Cornwell)
Starbase activities (2025-02-15):
- Feb 14th cryo delivery tally.
- Star factory video tour. A few new pieces of hardware are visible. (ViX)
- Another section (F3:3) of B17’s methane tank moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (ViX)
KSC:
- SpaceX move four large cryo tanks from LC-39A to the KSC turn basin for loading onto an awaiting barge. (Cornwell 1, Cornwell 2, Cornwell 3, NSF)
Starbase activities (2025-02-21):
- Launch site: Feb 20th cryo delivery tally.
- NSF post a timelapse of chopsticks activity. (NSF)
- Another vertical tank is delivered to the tank farm. (ViX)
- Another pump is installed at the tank farm. (ViX)
- The yellow LR11000 crane moves away from the launch towers. (ViX)
- Build site: B15’s hotstage ring moves from Megabay 1 back to Starfactory. (ViX)
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Feb 21st and 22nd from 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to pad.
Flight 8:
- Road closures are posted for Feb 26th, 27th, and 28th from 10:30 to 23:30 for flight testing activities. Feb 26th closure is scheduled.
- Mexican NOTAM is posted. (ViX)
- Australian NOTAM is posted. (VIX)
Flight 9:
Other:
- New episode of CSI Starbase: Why SpaceX Was Forced To Completely Redesign Stage Zero! | Part 2
Starbase activities (2025-02-13):
- Feb 12th cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: S34 moves from Massey’s to Megabay 2. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Launch site: A tank moves from Brownsville Port to the launch site. (ViX)
- Movement of ship quick disconnect arm, chopsticks, and landing rails. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- Trench excavation continues. (Gisler)
- Starship Gazer posts recent 4k video of the launch complex and S34. (Starship Gazer)
- Shaun Gisler posts videos of the Pad B chopsticks installation and (S34’s static fire).
Starbase activities (2025-02-14):
- Feb 13th cryo delivery tally.
- Feb 13 addendum: Chopsticks movement timelapse. (ViX)
- Launch site: The second vertical methane tank is erected at the tank farm. (ViX)
- Concrete forms to extend the blast wall which protects the tank farm are installed. (Anderson)
- Build site: A welding robot moves from the Highbay to Starfactory. (ViX)
- Other: TCEQ approves the water deluge permit after thorough analysis and finding of no significant impact. (TCEQ, Anderson)
- SpaceX propose to build a roundabout at the end of Highway 4. (Anderson)
Starbase activities (2025-02-01):
- Jan 31st cryo delivery tally.
- Pad A: Refurbishment continues. (cnunez 1, cnunez 2)
- Pad B: The travelling block is installed on the chopsticks. (ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Golden)
- Starship Gazer posts 4k video and photo slideshow of concrete pouring and work at the launch site.
- Build site: S36 tile application is still in progress. (cnunez)
- Sanchez: Pipe installation continues on the flame bucket for Pad B. (ViX)
Starbase activities (2025-02-17):
- Launch site: The tethers on the chopsticks at Pad B are disconnected. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler, cnunez)
- First movement of chopsticks at Pad B is observed. (LabPadre, ViX, Canton)
- New plumbing at the tank farm is underway. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- A truckload of cladding for Tower B arrives. (Golden 1, Golden 2)
- Build site: Starlink simulators for flight 8 are delivered to Starfactory. (Starship Gazer)
- Nosecones (S37 and S38?) in Starfactory. (Gisler)
- S32 has been scrapped. (Gisler)
- Assembly of the flame diverter for Pad B continues. (Gisler)
- Test Tank 16 still at Massey’s. (Gisler)
- RGV Aerial post labeled diagrams of Massey’s and Sanchez.
KSC:
Starbase activities (2025-02-18):
- Feb 17th addendum: Pad B chopsticks timelapse. (ViX)
- The first of the new pumps is installed at the tank farm. (ViX)
- S36 forward section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S32 sections are moved to the scrap yard. (ViX)
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 20th, 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to pad.
KSC:
Starbase activities (2025-02-19):
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Feb 21st, 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to pad.
- Another S32 section is moved to the scrap yard. (ViX)
- S35 is being retro-fitted with doubler plates over the catch points. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- A hotstage adapter, presumably for B15, moves from Starfactory towards Megabay 1. (NSF, ViX)
- A pink crane is delivered to the launch site. (ViX)
KSC:
- The barge loaded with seven cryo tanks departs the turn basin. (NSF)
Starbase activities (2025-02-20):
- Launch site: Overnight, another tank is delivered. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- In the late morning, the lifted into position. (ViX)
- The Pad A chopsticks are raised to max height and opened wide. This usually precedes Booster rollout, but no road closures have yet been scheduled. (NSF, ViX)
- Build site: The hot stage adapter stand, now empty, moves from Megabay 1 to Starfactory. (ViX)
- S32 scrapping continues. (ViX)
Flight 8:
- FAA advisory indicates NET Feb 26th. (NSF, cadenaois.org (archive))
Starbase activities (2025-02-22):
- Feb 21st cryo delivery tally.
- Pad B water deluge tank arrives. (ViX)
- LOX pump motor is installed at the tank farm. (ViX)
- More chopsticks testing at Pad A. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, LabPadre)
Flight 8:
- Flight 8 is now listed on the FAA’s Current Operations Plan Advisory (archive). (Thanks u/Planatus666)
- Recovery vessels for Starship are en route to the offshore landing position. (mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2, mcrs987 3)
Starbase activities (2025-02-23):
- Feb 22nd (mislabeled as 21st) cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: A second water tank for the Pad-B deluge arrives. (ViX)
- The yellow LR11000 crane returns to work at Pad B. (ViX)
- Additional cladding is installed on Tower A. (ViX)
- Gisler posts recent photos of pump installation at the tank farm. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Build site: Flight termination system is being installed on S34. (NSF)
- Flight termination system for B15 has arrived. (NSF)
- Hot staging adapter moves for Starfactory to Megabay 1, then back to Starfactory. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Gisler posts recent photos of garage repair and S32 scrapping.
KSC:
- The barge with the tanks from LC-39A has made it through the locks of Port Canaveral and is headed out to sea. (NSF 1, NSF 2, Cornwell)
Flight 8:
- Now targeting “Friday” (presumably Feb 28th), per Elon.