This thread probably not, next thread MAYbe!

Starbase activities (2024-04-02):

• Water deliveries to deluge tanks at orbital pad. (LabPadre, NSF)
• Tank farm and OLM venting and more venting. (NSF timelapse)
• New road closure posted for Apr 5th from 08:00 to 20:00, likely for tank farm plumbing tests, possibly for B11 testing.
• S29: Nosecone tiles reinstalled. (Mary, Starship Gazer)
• New type of ring section spotted, potentially for Starship V2.

Other:

• Ryan Hansen Space speculates on the cause of damage to the methane hose in the booster quick disconnect during IFT-3.
• ChromeKiwi render of Massey's static fire stand.

Starbase activities (2024-05-04):

• Launch pad B: Drilling continues.
• Starhopper: Modifications to Starhopper continue, likely a weather mast rather than lift points as initially assumed.
• GSE-7 outer tank base is finally removed and scrapped.
• Build site video tour (slower): Installation of the 4th (and final) row of glass panels on Starfactory continues.

Starbase activities (2024-05-03 addendum):

• Official document for May 7th and 8th road delays (both 00:00 to 03:00) is published.
• Nice shots of evaporators, tower section, parking garage, and flying excavator.

Starbase activities (2024-04-03):

• Road delays for B11 transport posted: 14:00 to 18:00 and 21:00 to midnight.
• B11: Transport stand moves to Megabay (LabPadre, NSF). Megabay door opens (NSF, LabPadre), but nothing happens during the first road delay. A second road delay is posted for the evening, and B11 is finally lifted onto transport stand, and rolls out of Megabay (NSF, LabPadre, Starship Gazer). Transport closeups (NSF 1, NSF 2, Starship Gazer), booster arrives at launch site (NSF, RGV Aerial). Full NSF livestream. B11 has no hotstaging ring yet.
• Chopsticks: Handrail is installed (tweet 1, tweet 2). Chopsticks movement announcement. Movement of stabilization arms. Chopsticks rise and SQD retracts. Artistic shot from cnunez.
• Combination of machines (excavator + pumpcrete?) makes for an amusing sight :)
• Third and final section of water-cooled flame diverter arrives at Massey's.

KSC activities (2024-04-03):

• Final remaining OLM leg at LC-39A is felled.

Other:

• New Ringwatchers Raptor tracking diagrams

Starbase activities (2024-04-21):

• GSE-7 (not 6) scrapping continues. Top section of outer shell is cut up (NSF timelapse of the past three days). Some welding and cutting of remaining section observed overnight. No significant further changes between morning and evening.
• RGV Aerial flyover of office construction and launch pad B.
• Starfactory progress: Pre-dawn view from LabPadre Rover1. Glass panel installation progress observed between morning and evening.
• Massey's: RGV Aerial flyover and new ChromeKiwi flame trench model.
• Possible portion of Raptor turbine found on the beach. Looks smaller than I expected. What would this have been from? IFT-1, or one of the earlier suborbital hops?

Starbase activities (2024-04-20, one-year anniversary of IFT-1):

• Scrapping of the vertical cryo tank outer shell which was removed Apr 19th continues. Closeup shots from Sean (tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3) and cnunez (tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3). Series of LabPadre video highlights from Vicki throughout the day: tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5, tweet 6, tweet 7, tweet 8, tweet 9, tweet 10. Only the very top section remains. Unclear at this point which tank will be scrapped next.
• Starfactory progress: Glass panel installation begins.

Starbase activities (2024-05-06):

• Build site video tour: Parking garage construction continues. Final row of glass panels on Starfactory is now half completed. A nice alternate angle of Starfactory from cnunez.
• RGV non-Aerial photos indicate that Starfactory intersects with Megabay 2 (tweet 1, tweet 2).
• S26 lifted off of transport stand in Megabay 2. The mystery of S26 continues.
• Launch pad A: SQD is tested, and another excavator is lifted nearby.
• Launch pad B footprint grows. Hole drilling and rebar placement continues.
• S30: Flaps are tested. The continuous flight auger is relocated, possibly in preparation for S30 testing.
• Road closure still scheduled for "non-flight testing activities" on May 7th. Mary receives ~~evacuation~~ overpressure notice.

Starbase activities (2024-04-30):

• GSE tests at the launch site, featuring frost on LOX pipes and subcooler as well as tower venting.
• Chopstick tests continue. Close and open, open ≠ close, close and open, open close. Residual oscillation still persists after rapid movements. NSF comparison to tests from Apr 26th.
• Starfactory progress: Second row of glass panels complete. Third row nearly half done.
• S30: Ship lifting jig arrives at Megabay 2. Megabay door opens to reveal S30 (LabPadre, NSF), and lifting jig is then attached.
• Ship transport stand arrives at Megabay 2. Workers pose beside S30, and S30 lowers onto transport stand (LabPadre, Starship Gazer).
• A ship lifting jig arrives at the test pad (LabPadre, NSF). Jig attaches to LR11000 crane, and lifting jig stand moves away from the pad.
• Road delay posted for May 1st, 00:00 to 03:00, with a backup window from 12:00 to 15:00. S30 currently rolling out to the launch pad. NSF are live.

Starbase activities (2024-04-29):

• Starfactory progress: Installation of the second row of glass panels continues around the corner. (Timelapse)
• LR11000 crane lifts a clamp test jig into the OLM (closeup), tests at least one hold-down clamp, then lifts it out a few hours later.
• New Ryan Hansen animation of the engine clamps and quick disconnects.
• LR11000 then moves towards the ship test pad (LabPadre, NSF).
• B13 does another cryo test at Massey's, LOX tank this time. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Cargile)
• Sheriff at the launch pad for evening road delay, but no booster or ship transport occurs.

Starbase activities (2024-04-26):

• Chopstick testing continues (LabPadre, NSF). There is an observable amount of residual oscillation after rapid movements.
• B13 undergoes a cryo test at Massey's. Nice photo of venting.
• Road delay posted for Apr 29th 19:00 to 23:00, and road closure posted for Apr 30th 07:00 to 19:00. Likely for B11 transport and testing.
• New Ryan Hansen Space animation featuring booster quick disconnect.

Other:

• New info on pathway towards on inter-ship propellant transfer. Shared by NASA in a meeting.
• Elon aiming for booster reuse, ship reuse, and orbital refilling by the end of 2025.
• IFT-4 is still expected in May.
• IFT-3 intra-ship propellant transfer was successful.
• HLS uncrewed demo mission now includes a lunar ascent test. This seems a prudent thing to do prior to the crewed flight.

Starbase activities (2024-05-05):

• Morning build site video tour: Parking garage construction continues. Minimal change to glass panels on Starfactory. Alternate angle from RGV Aerial.
• S26 moves to Megabay 2 (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, NSF timelapse). The S26 mystery continues.
• New weather station installed on Starhopper.
• New "edome" spotted labelled "SHIP FWD, 34.1#18, RTC=748Mt". What's an edome?

Other:

• New Ryan Hansen twitter thread on Booster Quick Disconnect: Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5.

Starbase activities (2024-04-22):

• Remaining section of GSE-7 outer shell is cut free, lifted away, and scrapped. Load spreader for lifting the inner tank arrives, and is attached to the inner tank.
• Next outer shell to be removed is GSE-2. Vacuum truck arrives for perlite insulation removal. Slight mishap occured when attaching the vac truck to the GSE-2 access hatch. Starship Gazer livestream.
• Starfactory: Glass installation continues. Evening build site video tour from LabPadre Rover1, and photo from cnunezimages.
• Thunder, lightning (video, still frame), and clouds at Starbase.

Starbase activities (2024-04-15):

• Launch site: Testing of booster quick disconnect. Launch clamp replacements continue. Tank farm work continues.
• Concrete form disassembly begins for new wall next to the D2 gate.
• Dirt deliveries continue for soil compaction at the launch pad B.
• Starfactory progress: Many lifts and cranes. Painting continues.
• An imperial scout trooper is visiting, presumably to inspect the premises and report back to the emperor :) (closeup)

Starbase activities (2024-04-17):

• Workers are preparing to remove two more of the old vertical cryo tanks. Starship Gazer photos and livestream, VickiCocks comments on crane preparation and lighting removal. The black LR11000 crane rolls into position mid-afternoon (Sean closeup).
• OLM clamp replacements continue: Timelapse/highlights of clamp removal (Apr 11) and replacement (Apr 16/17).
• New chopstick actuator is tested.
• RGV Aerial tank farm flyover and plumbing analysis.
• Starfactory progress: Painting continues, cladding installation is completed on one wall. Closeup from cnunezimages.
• Massey's: New quick disconnect is lifted over flame trench.

Other:

• SpaceX to build recreation center and sushi restaurant in Brownsville. Construction beginning NET May 1.

Starbase activities (2024-04-16):

• Launch site: OLM clamp linkage replacements continue. New GSE equipment is active, and a brief dance break follows.
• Starfactory progress: Cladding installation and painting continues. Cladding progresses quickly through the afternoon. Wide angle from Sean.
• Massey's: One, two, three pieces of flame trench infrastructure installed. Closeup of new QD from yesterday.

Other:

• Rough maths regarding momentum/torque imparted by Starlink sats deployed via pez dispenser.

Starbase activities (2024-05-11):

• B11: Overnight, booster rolls out to the launch site, and chopsticks close around B11. In the afternoon, B11 is lifted onto OLM, then chopsticks release B11 and are lowered. SpaceX posts photos of B11 leaving Megabay 1, with other boosters visible.
• S31: Also overnight, ship moves to Massey's.
• Launch site: LR11000 crane moves toward orbital tank farm, and load spreader is attached. This may indicate that perlite insulation removal from the GSE-2 outer tank has been completed, and the tank will soon be scrapped. Crews working to attach load spreader to the tank.
• Starfactory: Helicopter delivers HVAC units (LabPadre, NSF). (closeup).
• S30 enters Highbay.
• Starkitty sighted :) (LabPadre, Doherty)
• S29: Road delay scheduled for early morning May 12th, possibly for ship roll out.
• S26: RGV Aerial posts a photo of Massey's.

Other:

• 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."

Starbase activities (2024-04-04):

• Launch site: Timelapse of B11 transport (LabPadre, NSF). Chopsticks lift booster onto launch mount (LabPadre, NSF, SpaceX, Mary, Starship Gazer). Chopsticks descend and ship quick disconnect extends. Booster transport stand rolls away from launch mount. B11 likely connected to booster quick disconnect. Venting announcement followed by venting.
• Build site: S29 emerges from High Bay, S30 moves from High Bay to Megabay 2, S29 returns to High Bay, and S30 is lifted onto engine installation stand.
• April 5th road closure window shifts by 2 hours.
• Road closures posted for April 8th and 9th from 08:00 to 20:00.

Other

• SpaceX recap and teaser video for IFT-3 and IFT-4.
• New Ringwatchers article about observed changes on B11 and S29.

Sorry for the delay; I was travelling to witness a specific astronomical event.

Starbase activities (2024-04-07):

• B11 lift and rollback: Chopsticks close around booster, stabilizer pins engage, and B11 is lifted off the OLM onto a transport stand (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2, Mary, NSF 3, Starship Gazer). Chopsticks open and lower, ship quick disconnect arm swings back in.
• Starfactory progress continues. Frame looks complete, roof is coming along nicely.
• S29 (I think) recent tile status from April 6th.

Starbase activities (2024-04-08):

• B11 moves from launch site to Megabay 1 (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, AnthonyFGomez).
• Rover 1 build site timelapse. Starfactory progress continues. Raptor spotted near Megabay 2, likely to be installed on S30. A second and third Raptor arrive at Megabay 2 shortly after.
• Large crane labelled "High Bay" is spotted.
• OLM work continues. A launch clamp arm linkage is removed.

Starbase activities (2024-04-09):

• Metalwork on the chopsticks overnight.
• RC #269 and RVac #398 installed on S30.
• Starfactory progress continues.
• OLM work continues. Launch clamp arm linkages 2 through 14 removed.

Starbase activities (2024-04-10):

• Starfactory progress. Cladding has reached the angled section on the corner.
• OLM work continues. Launch clamp arm linkages 15 through 18 removed.

Other:

• TheSpaceEngineer renders and speculation threads on IFT-3 booster behaviour after stage separation: Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5, tweet 6, tweet 7, tweet 8, tweet 9. TL;DR: Flamey end pointing the wrong direction may have led to significant cosine losses.
• IFT-4 reported to require a launch license modification for SpaceX to do "some different things". FAA to revamp reentry license process.
• Zack chimes in with his thoughts on the interstage in the new official renders of Starship V2 and V3.
• Japan to develop lunar rover, and fly two astronauts on future Artemis missions. I wonder if the rover will fly on Starship or H3?
• SpaceX tweets a slow-mo video of an R-vac shutdown at sea level. Flow separation is visible.

Starbase activities (2024-04-14):

• Relatively quiet day.
• Launch site: New HVAC box installation. More launch clamp arm linkages replaced.
• Build site: Peek at S29 in high bay. Still pending further tile work.
• Starfactory progress: Cladding continues, painting begins.

Other:

• New Ringwatchers article on potential Starship V2 hardware.

Starbase activities (2024-04-18):

• OLM: Rear section of booster quick disconnect hood is removed again and rolls away from the launch mount.
• Tower: Testing of new chopstick actuator continues. Ship quick disconnect receives new insulation.
• Tank farm: LR 11000 crane is prepping for vertical tank removal, load spreader is already attached, and tanker trucks are emptying the contents of the water tank (closeup).
• S30 in Megabay 2: 3/4 flaps are tethered.
• Starfactory progress: Structure now has interior lighting. Beam painting nearly complete along one wall.

Starbase activities (2024-04-19):

• Main event: Scrapping of vertical cryo ~~tank #6~~ tank #7. Starship Gazer and What about it livestreams.
• LR11000 crane is connected to tank, and cutting commences. New scrapping approach, possibly due to added weight of reinforcements to the outer tank.
• Timelapse video highlights of cutting (video 1, video 2, video 3), (closeup 1, closeup 2, closeup 3), and outer tank is lifted off the inner tank (NSF, LabPadre, Starship Gazer), (closeup 1, closeup 2). Scrapping continues into the night (NSF, clwphoto1).
• Launch pad: Launch mount clamp replacements continue. Chopstick arm testing continues.
• Build site: S29 tile work continues.
• Coyotes spotted.

Other:

• In reply to a recent Tom Mueller interview, Elon states some aspirational Raptor thrust goals.

Edit: GSE-7, not GSE-6.

Starbase activities (2024-04-23):

• Launch site: OLM clamp linkage replacements continue. A convoy of vacuum trucks continue to remove perlite insulation from GSE-2. GSE-7 inner tank is removed, and scrapping commences. Large cyro pipe is lifted.
• Build site: Elevator/work platform lowered and raised beneath S30.
• Starbase progress: Glass installation continues around the corner.
• Booster transport to Massey's road delay posted for Apr 25th and 26th from 00:00 to 03:00.

Starbase activities (2024-04-24):

• Busy day at Starbase
• Overnight, booster transport stand (which is also a thrust simulator) arrives at build site and moves into the Megabay in the late afternoon. Booster cap and hotstage ring (Mary, LabPadre) are also spotted. Booster transport to Massey's road delay scheduled for Apr 25th and 26th from 00:00 to 03:00.
• S29 recent tile photo.
• Massey's: Work on flame trench deluge plumbing continues.
• Starfactory progress: Glass panel installation continues, and the first row is nearly complete.
• Launch pad B progress: A new stitcher has been erected for wick drain installation. TIL what wick drains and wick drain stitchers are.
• Launch pad A refurbishment: Rear section of booster quick disconnect hood is reinstalled on the launch mount (NSF, LabPadre). Chopsticks and fire suppression system are tested.
• GSE-7: Plumbing is scrapped. NSF timelapse of inner tank scrapping over the past couple days.
• GSE-2: Vacuum trucks continue to remove perlite insulation. The LR11000 crane lifts crew up on top of the tanks several times (closeup).

Edit: Note that new booster transport stand also functions as a thrust simulator.

Starbase activities (2024-04-25):

• A couple more chopstick and fire suppression tests on the evening of the 24th. Chopstick tests continue in the morning.
• Overnight, B13 moves to Massey's. LabPadre timelapse and multiple closeups: NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Doherty, Ramirez, Starship Gazer, Gomez.
• B11: Hotstage ring still outside Megabay, but signs suggest B11 rollout could be coming soon.
• Starfactory progress: Installation begins on the second row of glass panels.

Other:

• Ryan Hansen animation of OLM support arms and arm linkage mechanism.

Starbase activities (2024-04-27):

• B13 still at Massey's following previous night's cryo test.
• LR11000 crane moves away from orbital tank farm towards gate D2.
• Work on the OLM and chopsticks continues. Workers observed up at the top of the tower. Perlite removal from GSE-2 outer tank continues.
• Parking garage under construction.
• Starfactory glass panel installation continues. Half of the second row is complete, and they've started on the third row.

Other:

• Interesting (and long!) thread by TheSpaceEngineer on changes between Starship V1 and V2: 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, tweet 15, tweet 16, tweet 17, tweet 18, tweet 19, tweet 20, tweet 21, tweet 22, tweet 23, tweet 24, tweet 25, tweet 26, tweet 27, tweet 28.

Starbase activities (2024-04-28):

• Malcolm continuous flight auger (CFA) rig is preparing for drilling at Pad B (VixXi, Zack).
• Work on OLM and chopsticks continues. LR11000 crane moves towards the OLM (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2). Current purpose unclear.
• GSE-7 infrastructure (likely concrete/plumbing) removal continues.
• B11 hot stage ring starts the day just outside Megabay 1, then moves inside.
• Build site video tour: No observable change in Starfactory glass panel installation today.

Starbase activities (2024-05-01):

• Overnight, S30 rolls out to launch site and is lifted onto the test stand. Ship lifting jig moves from Megabay 2 to Sanchez.
• Bumper pads are installed on the chopsticks.
• Launch Pad B: The first two continuous flight auger holes have been drilled. RGV Aerial posts a (now outdated) flyover of where this work is occurring. Partial demolition of one end of the "Gateway to Mars" wall.
• Build site video tour: Minimal change in Starfactory glass panel installation. New parking garage progressing quickly.
• B13 still at Massey's.

Other:

• New Ringwatchers article is out, detailing changes with IFT-4 (S29) and IFT-5 (S30) flight vehicles.

Starbase activities (2024-05-02):

• Launch Pad B: 8 confirmed continuous flight auger holes drilled so far (LabPadre timelapse). Convoy of vacuum trucks continue to remove perlite insulation from GSE-2 outer tank.
• Demolition of one end of the the "Gateway to Mars" wall continues.
• SQD extends, SQD door swings open, SQD retracts, SQD arm swings out, and SQD arm swings back in.
• Morning and afternoon build site video tours: Third row of glass panels on Starfactory more than half installed, nearing completion by mid-afternoon. Parking garage construction continues.
• New road closures for May 3rd (07:00 to 19:00, now cancelled), 7th, 8th, and 9th (all 08:00 to 20:00).
• New road delays for May 3rd (00:00 to 03:00 and 20:00 to 23:00), and 4th (00:00 to 03:00).

Starbase activities (2024-05-07):

• Overnight, the Massey's ship stand arrives at the build site (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Cargile). This stand should be capable of supporting both transport and testing. Ship stand enters Megabay 2 late-afternoon, and S26 is lifted onto it (closeup).
• Build site video tours from dawn, early morning, and mid-morning: Parking garage construction continues, glass panel installation on Starfactory nearly completed.
• B14 CO~2~ tanks arrive. Are these for the onboard fire suppression system?
• A ring segment doth enters Megabay 2, possibly to test welding robots. Mary's closeup and Zack's thoughts.
• Soft road closure in place.
• Main event, S30 testing: Grass vent, engine chill(?), frost line, detank (timelapse). Recycle, NSF livestream, frost line (LabPadre, NSF), frost line grows (but very slowly), engine chill, venting from multiple locations, detank. NSF timelapse of both tests.
• Orbital tank farm and tower plumbing are tested. Tower venting and more venting.
• Chopstick testing continues.
• Possible typo or change of plans in May 8th road closure notice. Document says "booster transport", but ship transport seems more likely.

Starbase activities (2024-05-08):

• Overnight, S26 rolls from the build site to Massey's. Photos from Starship Gazer (tweet 1, tweet 2), Doherty (tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3), LabPadre (tweet 1, tweet 2), and Cargile,
• Main event, S30 testing: Overpressure notice published, road closure scheduled, NSF livestream. Tank farm venting, SQD frost, frost line (LabPadre, NSF), frost line grows, engine chill, static fire (LabPadre, NSF), and road closure concluded.
• NSF timelapse of the test, LabPadre with sound synced, photos from Cargile and Ramirez (tweet 1, tweet 2). SpaceX posts drone videos and photos, and confirms it was a six-engine static fire.
• Lab Padre shares infrasound data from static fire: Tweet 1, tweet 2.
• Mid-afternoon and late-afternoon build site video tours: Parking garage progress continues. Starfactory glass panel installation is completed slightly out of order, with a couple gaps being filled later in the afternoon.
• OLM BQD door closes and opens.
• Recent photo of a ship (S29?) in the Highbay. Tile work is looking good.

Starbase activities (2024-05-09):

• LR11000 crane moves toward the S30 on the test pad. Ship lifting jig rolls back out to the launch pad, and is (eventually) connected to S30 (NSF, LabPadre).
• An SPMT rolls to the launch site to retrieve the ship lifting jig stand. A different lifting jig rolls into the Highbay, and the stand returns to the test pad.
• Removal of the berm between the suborbital tank farm and the test pad begins. Likely an indication that all further ship testing will be at Massey's.
• Drilling and rebar installation for the second orbital pad continues.
• Convoy of vacuum trucks continue to remove perlite insulation from GSE-2 outer tank.
• Late-morning build site tour video: Parking garage construction continues. Workers observed at the gap in glass panels on Starfactory. Gap still present as of late afternoon.
• A ring segment enters Megabay 2, following the May 7th and 8th deliveries of a triple and single segment. It is thought that these are to test welding robots.
• May 9th road closure cancelled. New road closures posted for May 14th, 15th, and 16th, all 08:00 to 20:00.
• New road delays posted for May 10th (15:00 to 17::30 and 22:00 to midnight), 11th and 12th (both 00:00 to 03:00).

Starbase activities (2024-05-10):

• S30: Overnight, ship is lifted off of test stand. Lifting jig removed around midday. In the afternoon, S30 rolls back to the Highbay.
• Suborbital pad: Demolition of the test stand begins.
• S29 moves from Highbay to Megabay 2 (after some manoeuvring).
• Orbital pad: OLM legs have been recently repainted.
• Orbital tank farm had a long queue of cryogen deliveries, likely caused by competing gravel deliveries.
• New road closure scheduled for May 13th from 08:00 to 20:00, for non-flight testing. NOTMAR issued for May 16th.
• Build site: Build site video tour: Parking garage nears its final height; Starfactory cladding installation continues.
• RGV Aerial photo of the build site. I don't think I quite realized how big Starfactory is in terms of area when compared to the Highbay and Megabays.
• New booster landing tank spotted outside Starfactory.
• S31: A ship test stand arrives at the build site, likely for transporting S31 to Massey's.
• New launch tower: New road delays posted for May 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th (all 22:00 to 02:00 the following day). These are "to transport tower modules from Brownsville Port to Sanchez". Tower segments incoming!
• B11: Booster transport stand arrives at the build site, and later enters Megabay 1. B11 is lifted onto the transport stand, and rolls out of Megabay 1. B11 is currently rolling out to the launch site. NSF are live.

Starbase activities (2024-05-12):

• S29: Overnight, S29 rolls out to the launch site (LabPadre timelapse, NSF timelapse, NSF livestream), and parks between the chopsticks. Forward flaps extend in early afternoon. Stack seems imminent.
• Build site: Video tour. Looks like the parking garage construction will be outwards rather than upwards at this point.
• Launch site: Video tour. LR11000 crane is still attached to GSE-2 outer tank, pending lift. Demolition of the suborbital test pad continues throughout the day with the removal of the SQD (LabPadre, NSF), the SQD support frame, and the berm. 48-hour before-and-after comparison.
• S31: Undergoes a cryo test at Massey's, and bright flashes (fire?) emanate from the side of the ship (LabPadre, NSF). This does not look norminal.

Starbase activities (2024-05-15):

• Overnight, S31 returns from Massey's to the Highbay. Closeup of raceway damage.
• GSE-2 inner tank is removed.
• Tower segment 1 of 5 moves from Brownsville to Sanchez.
• S29 moves towards the launch pad, and is stacked on B11 (LabPadre, NSF) shortly before noon (closeup). NSF and StarshipGazer livestreams.
• IFT-4 full stack photos: Starship Gazer, Beyer, Doherty 1, Doherty 2, Cargile, RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2, and of course, SpaceX.
• Ship transport stand and raptor work platform move away from the OLM.
• Demolition continues on the Gateway to Mars wall and suborbital test pad.
• Build site: Two new segments arrive, joining B14.1 forward section, which then enters Megabay 1 (not Megabay 2, I think).
• Massey's: Some venting observed in the evening.
• Road closure scheduled for May 16th. (Official document). May 17th closure added.

Other:

• Aspirational Mars goals from the CEO: "Less than 5 years for uncrewed, less than 10 to land people, maybe a city in 20 years, but for sure in 30, civilization secured." I'll eat my hat Beck-style if this timeline holds, but I'm glad he's still ambitious.
• IFT-4 launch license for early June should be feasible for the FAA.

Starbase activities (2024-05-14):

• S29: Overnight, S29 is rolled away from the launch pad (LabPadre, NSF).
• B11: Brief testing occurs in the morning: Pad clear, road closed slight venting road reopened (LabPadre, NSF)
• May 14th road closure concluded and May 15th road closure revoked.
• LR11000 crane preps with load spreader to lift GSE-2 inner tank.
• Aerial photo of the Starship Block 2 forward flap which was recently delivered. It seems to be kite-shaped whereas the Block 1 flap was more trapezoidal.
• Can't quite place where this ~~welding~~ is taking place, but it is too cool not to share. (Edit: It is scrapping of GSE-2 outer tank, not welding.)
• S31: Damage to raceway is visible. Ship starts rolling from Massey's. Back to the build site for repairs?
• Launch tower segment 1 of 5: Staged for rollout to Starbase during the day, ready for rollout (LabPadre, cnunez), and rollout begins.

Florida:

• FAA solicits comments regarding impact of Starship operations at KSC.

Starbase activities (2024-04-06):

• Booster transport stand moves towards the launch mount.
• New large nitrogen vapouriser positioned at the orbital tank farm, followed shortly by another.
• Starfactory progress continues.

Other:

• Official Starship update presentation from SpaceX (~45 min)
• Chris Bergin of NSF made a highlights list.
• Some overview slides and raptor slides. Comparison between Starship and Raptor versions.
• Grid fin placement may change.
• RGV Aerial photoshop of stretched stack.
• New official booster catch animation.
• Photoshop of potential non-norminal booster catch attempt :)

Starbase activities (2024-04-12):

• First 5 (at least) replacement launch clamp arm linkages lifted into place.
• Left chopstick actuator removed (NSF, LabPadre) and replaced (closeup).
• Booster quick disconnect front cover reinstalled on launch mount.
• Artistic shot of S30 in Megabay 2 from cnunezimages.

Starbase activities (2024-04-13):

• Work on OLM continues. Nice NSF timelapse of the OLM work over the past couple of days.
• Video of launch clamp arm linkage replacement from yesterday (Apr 12).
• Closeups of Starfactory and chopsticks yesterday from cnunez.
• Newly installed booster quick disconnect front cover is a redesigned version.
• Plumbing work for the horizontal tanks in the tank farm.
• RGV flyovers of launch site, build site, and Massey's.
• Possible testing at Massey's of a new ship quick disconnect.

Starbase activities (2024-05-13):

• May 13th road closure scheduled, then revoked. No testing takes place. Similar closure scheduled for May 14th.
• S29: Chopsticks move slightly, but still no stack yet.
• GSEC-7 (a.k.a. GSE-2?) outer tank is cut free and lifted off.
• Tanker convoys continue.
• Suborbital pad: Berm removal is completed.
• Build site video tour: Parking garage construction continues, Starfactory glass installation is finally complete.
• B14.1 forward section arrives at the build site (LabPadre, Cargile).
• Starship V2 (Block 2?) forward flap arrives.
• S31 is inspected by a drone at Massey's, following yesterday's incident (likely an electrical fire).
• A pair of tower sections prep for transport from Brownsville port to Starbase. Road delay posted for May 13th 22:00 to May 14th 02:00.

Starbase activities (2024-04-05):

• Overnight, detonation suppression system and igniter are tested on B11.
• Starfactory progress continues: RGV Aerial flyover photo, Rover 1 (which moved, along with Rover 2).
• S30 is lifted onto engine installation stand and crew lift rises into the skirt. Ship lifting jig leaves Megabay 2.
• Scaffolding and work platforms are removed from the OLM.
• Main event: B11 static fire (NSF livestream and timelapse): Security arrives for road closure, pad clearance announcement (LabPadre, NSF), chopsticks rise to launch position, and SQD extends. Venting, more venting, and frost on booster (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2). Engine chill, siren, and static fire (LabPadre, NSF).
• Static fire angles: Nerdle, Rover 2, Sapphire, RGV 1, RGV 2, SpaceX drone photos and video. Zoom-in on possible debris.
• Chopsticks descend and SQD retracts.
• Vehicle transport road delays posted for Apr 7th 22:00 to 03:00 and Apr 8th 06:00 to 09:00.

Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I've seen in this thread:

[Thread #39 for this sub, first seen 7th Apr 2024, 03:20] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]

Starbase activities (2024-04-11):

• Launch clamps are starting to be removed from launch mount. Zack Golden is baffled.
• Build site: Starfactory progress continues with more roof and wall cladding.
• Two welding robots are delivered to and enter Megabay 2.
• Work on flame trench at Massey's. First and second pieces of flame bucket laid next to the trench.

Other:

• NSF posts a nice timelapse of Megabay 2 construction.

Starbase activities (2024-05-03):

• Overnight, B13 moves from Massey's to Megabay 1 (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Gomez). B13 is lifted off of transport/test stand, which then moves to Sanchez site.
• B11 has hotstage ring installed now. Nice closeup shot inside Megabay 1, though hotstage ring is not visible.
• Build site video tour: Parking garage progressing quickly. Third row of glass panels on Starfactory completed, 4th row just starting.
• A dome section is moved from San Martin to Remedios. Identity unclear.
• Crews detach S30 from lifting jig (NSF closeup).
• LR11000 crane moves from test pad to orbital tank farm (closeup), possibly in preparation for GSE-2 outer tank removal. Crane lifts an excavator.
• Starhopper's legs receive reinforcements. Wild speculation on future location.
• Chopstick testing continues (LabPadre, NSF).
• New road delays for May 7th and 8th, (both 00:00 to 03:00).

Other:

• New Ryan Hansen animation of SQD mechanism.

This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:

Starship Development Thread #56