Portions of this thread copied from a Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.
FAQ
- When next launch? Wen IFT-4? IFT-4 is now NET June 1st. "Objective is for the ship to get past max heating or at least further than last time."
- When previous launch? (IFT-3)? Booster 10 and Ship 28 launched on 2024-03-14.
- What was the result? Booster makes it to the landing burn, but loses control and insufficient engines relight. RUD occurs at 462 m in altitude. S28 makes it to reentry but fails to face the heat shield in the correct direction, followed shortly by RUD. Payload door test and propellant transfer demo "complete".
Quick Links
RAPTOR ROOST | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
IFT-3 launch thread | Starship Dev 54 | Starship Dev 53 | Starship Dev 52 | Starship Dev 51 | Starship Dev 50 |
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)
Status
Road Closures - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
| Type | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Date | 2024-04-05 08:00 | 2024-04-05 20:00 | Closure Scheduled. |
Up to date as of 2024-04-02
Vehicle Status
As of 2024-05-08
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S24 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | IFT-1 launched on 2023-04-20. Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| S25 | Atlantic Ocean | Destroyed | IFT-2 launched on 2023-11-18. Mostly successful launch and stage separation |
| S26 | Massey's | On new test stand | 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, likely to test the new flame trench. |
| S28 | Indian Ocean | Destroyed | IFT-3 launched on 2024-03-14. Ship destroyed on reentry due to heat shield facing the wrong way. |
| S29 | Launch site | Pending WDR | Spin prime Mar 11th, Static fire Mar 25th (6 engines) and 27th (1 engine) |
| S30 | Highbay 1 | Static fire completed | 2x cryo: Jan 3rd and Jan 5th. Engines installed ~Apr 9th. Static fired May 8th. |
| S31 | Massey's | Cryo testing | Cryo tested May 12th |
| S32 | Rocket Garden | Resting | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps |
| S33-34 | Build Site | Parts spotted | To be scrapped in preparation for Starship V2 |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B7 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| B9 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Successfully launched, destroyed during Boost back attempt. |
| B10 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | IFT-3 launched on 2024-03-14. Booster destroyed shortly after failed landing burn attempt. |
| B11 | Launch Mount | Pending WDR | Completed 2 Cryo tests. Static fired Apr 5th. Hot stage ring installed ~May 3rd. |
| B12 | Megabay 1 | Finalizing | Cryo x2 |
| B13 | Megabay 1 | Testing | Cryo tests Apr 26th (methane tank) and Apr 29th (LOX tank) |
| B14 | Megabay 1 | Partially stacked | Stacking in progress |
| B15 | Build Site | Assembly | Potential aft end spotted Jan 5th |
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
- Old orbital tank farm map | Source.
Starbase activities (2024-04-26):
Other:
I remember feeling stunned about how limited the HLS test was going to be. So much effort and money to NOT test critical systems? I hope they keep adding elements.
Yeah, ensuring that the people can come back seems pretty important.