this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2024
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SpaceX Starship page

Portions of this thread copied from a Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.

FAQ

  1. When next launch? (Flight 7) NET Jan 11th according to recent documentation NASA filed with the FAA. (Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera 1, Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera 2) Advisories posted for Jan 10th through 16th. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF, WatchersTank)
  2. When previous launch? (Flight 6)? Booster 13 and Ship 31 launched on 2024-11-19.
  3. What was the result? Booster catch attempt aborted, performed soft splashdown in the Gulf. Ship performs in-space raptor relight, survives reentry, and makes an on-target splashdown.

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 November | IFT-6 launch thread | Starship Dev October | IFT-5 launch thread | Starship Dev 57 | Starship Dev 56 | IFT-4 launch thread

Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)


Road closures and road delays

Cameron County website - @bocaroad Mastodon bot

*As of 2024-12-27

  • 1-hour road delay was posted for Dec 5th (21:00 to 00:00) for transport from factory to pad.
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Dec 6th (00:00 to 04:00) for transport from Massey's to factory.
  • 8-hour road closure is scheduled for Dec 7th (08:00 to 16:00) for non-flight testing activities.
  • 12-hour road closures are posted for Dec 9th and 10th (08:00 to 20:00) for non-flight testing activities.
  • Dec 7th and 9th closures are scheduled.
  • 2-hour road delays are posted for Dec 9th and 10th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (desde la fabrica hasta Massey's)
  • Road delay is posted for Dec 10th from 08:00 to 11:00 for tank installation.
  • Dec 10th road closure is revoked, likely indicating that the static fire of B14 on Dec 9th went well.
  • 2-hour road delays are posted and revoked for Dec 11th (10:00 to 14:00) and 12th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to Massey’s.
  • A road delay is posted for Dec 11th from 16:00 to 19:00 for tank installation.
  • Road delays are posted for Dec 12th and 13th (07:00 to 10:00) for tank installation. The associated document appears to be a duplicate of the Dec 11th document, but other sections of the website indicate the existence of the closures.
  • A 2-hour road delay is posted for Dec 17th from 02:00 to 06:00 or 10:00 to 14:00 for transportation from Massey's to factory (presumably S33 rollback).
  • Additional closures are also listed for Dec 18th and 19th (00:00 to 03:00). (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • 2-hour road delays are posted for Dec 21st and 22nd from 00:00 to 03:00 for transportation from factory to Massey's.
  • 2-hour road delays are posted for Dec 29th from 10:00 to 16:00 and Dec 30th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey's.
  • 1-hour road delays are posted for Dec 30th from 16:00 and 20:00 and Dec 31st from 00:00 to 03:00 for transportation from factory to launch pad.

Vehicle Status

*As of 2024-12-27

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 Megabay 2 Pending static fire 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.
S34 Megabay 2 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 Megabay 1 Pending hotstage ring install Stacked Apr 26th, Cryo tested Oct 4th and 5th. Static fired Dec 9th.
B14.1 Sanchez Resting Multiple catch simulation "slap tests" performed on Jun 26th and 27th.
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

Resources

top 32 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] threelonmusketeers 6 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-08):

  • Dec 7th cryo delivery tally.
  • Dec 7th addenda: Launch mount work platform returns to the launch site. (ViX) Drone show timelapse. (Priel / NSF)
  • Checkouts complete, the work platform transport stand heads back to the launch mount. (ViX)
  • Work platform leaves the launch site. (ViX)
  • Potential scaffolding mount points are installed on B14. (ViX)
  • Pad A announcement: "Loud checkouts for booster" (ViX)
  • B14 undergoes an igniter test. (ViX)
  • Traffic cones are deployed, likely in preparation for the delivery of a new cryo tank. (ViX, Gomez)
  • The Starfactory cladding on the highway side is complete. (ViX)

KSC:

  • Roberts Road facility expansion continues. (Stranger)
[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-01):

Other:

  • BocasBrain posts a photo of the interior of a vehicle propellant tank. I think it's a ship, not sure which one.
[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-24):

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-02):

  • Dec 1st cryo delivery tally.
  • Two 16-axle SPMTs move to Massey's. (ViX)
  • Gisler posts photos of Sanchez: Photo 1, photo 2, photo 3 (includes S26 scrap)
  • S34 raceway segments are raised to vertical inside Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Work on the passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler)
[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 3 weeks ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-22):

[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-21):

[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-06):

KSC LC-39A:

[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-07):

KSC LC-39A:

  • Scrapping of the LOX tank continues. (NSF, ViX)
[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 2 weeks ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-26):

KSC:

  • LC-39A chopstick movement is observed nearly two years after installation. Hopefully they have enough WD-40. (NSF, Alexphysics13)
[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-12):

KSC:

  • Potential info on Roberts Road northern expansion from a meeting agenda from Space Florida. (Stranger 1, Stranger 2)
[–] threelonmusketeers 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-23):

Other:

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-09):

Flight 6:

  • Apparently the banana payload was Chiquita brand (or so they claim).

Flight 7?:

KSC LC-39A:

  • Scrapping of the LOX tank continues. (ViX)
[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-10):

  • Dec 9th addenda: Raptor work platform and booster transport stand return to the launch site. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Launch site: Overnight, two cryo tanks (one CH4, one LOX) roll out to the launch site. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
  • The yellow LR11000 counterweight tray is loaded onto an SPMT and driven to the awaiting crane at the tank farm. (ViX)
  • B14 is transferred from the launch mount to the transport stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF)
  • Build site: B14 rolls back to the build site, is fitted with brackets for scaffolding, and enters Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, Cphillips_03 / NSF, Mary)
  • S35 nosecone rolls into the Highbay and is stacked on its payload section. (ViX, Starship Gazer, cnunez)
  • A 4-ring barrel section moves from Starfactory to the scrap yard. (ViX)
  • Recent photo of launch mount B. (cnunez)
  • Recent photo of chopsticks B. (RGV Aerial)
  • Dec 10th road closure is revoked, likely indicating that the static fire of B14 on Dec 9th went well.
  • 2-hour road delays are posted and revoked for Dec 11th (10:00 to 14:00) and 12th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to Massey’s.

Flight 7?:

  • Bananas are loaded for a classified destination. (Chiquita)

KSC:

  • Roberts Road facility expansion continues. (Stranger)
  • Scrapping of the LOX tank at LC-39A continues. (RoughRidersShow)
[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-13):

  • Dec 12th addenda: LabPadre video of S33 spin prime at Massey's.
  • Launch site: Overnight, the counterweight tray and weights for the yellow LR11000 are moved from the tank farm to the launch complex. (ViX)
  • Also overnight, a second vertical tank is delivered to the launch complex. (ViX)
  • The black LR11000 crane lifts two vertical LN2 tanks into position, possible for the Pad B deluge system. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler)
  • The second of the recent horizontal LOX tanks is moved into position at the tank farm. (ViX, Gisler)
  • S36 pending tile installation in Starfactory. (Gisler)
  • Build site: The final rings of B16's methane section move from Starfactory towards Megabay 1. (ViX)
  • Launch mount B looks to be nearing completion of work at Sanchez. (Gisler)
  • Rocket garden status: (Gisler) Left to right are (I think): B12, B14.1, S20, S32, SN2, Test Tank 16.
  • ChromeKiwi renders of water manifold and flame bucket for Pad B.

Flight 7:

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-14):

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-17):

Flight 7:

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-18):

  • Dec 17th cryo delivery tally.
  • Dec 17th addendum: Christmas parade. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF / Mary, Gisler)
  • Not too much action reported today.
  • Launch site: The remaining “SPACEX” letters are removed, and a crane is connected to the supporting crossbeam. (Priel, ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Chiquita bananas are delivered to Starbase and to the RGV food bank. (Lueders) No mention of any banana payload for Starship Flight 7.

KSC:

  • "During todays special project board meeting, Space Florida has adopted the request for matching funds for Project Hinton." (Bergeron)
[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 3 weeks ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-20):

  • Dec 19th cryo delivery tally.
  • Dec 19th addendum: The 2nd piece of the water deluge "pancake" is lifted onto Launch Mount B. (ViX)
  • Build site: Overnight, a dome moves from one Starfactory door to another. (ViX)
  • Load spreader enters Megabay 1, and B15 is lifted onto the cryo test stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • In the evening, B15 emerges from Megabay 1. (NSF)
  • Launch site: Additional parts for the chopstick assembly jig arrive at Pad B. (Roger S)
  • RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of the Pad B flame trench construction.
  • ChromeKiwi renders of flame trench retaining wall construction.
[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-19):

  • Dec 18th cryo delivery tally.
  • Launch site: The gate crossbeam is removed. (ViX, Phillips)
  • Parts of the chopstick ~~installation~~ assembly jig for Pad B arrive. (ViX, Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
  • Chopsticks at Pad A receive new ship lifting pin housings. (ViX, Anderson)
  • Build site: Work on the launch mount and chopsticks for pad B continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
  • The booster thrust/test stand replaces the transport stand in the ring yard, likely for B15 transport to Massey's. (ViX)
  • 2-hour road delays are posted for Dec 21st and 22nd from 00:00 to 03:00 for transportation from factory to Massey's.

Flight 7:

  • FAA clarification on the RCC-324-11 requirement. (NSF)

KSC:

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-25):

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 2 weeks ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-27):

  • Dec 24th through 26th cryo delivery tally.
  • Dec 26th addenda: Install jig with Pez Dispenser enters Megabay 2, followed by S35 nosecone and payload section. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Build site: B16 aft stand is exits Megabay 1, followed by load spreader, indicating that B16 is fully stacked. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Massey's: B15 performs a methane tank cryo test. (LabPadre, Priel, Gomez)
  • 2-hour road delays are posted for Dec 29th from 10:00 to 16:00 and Dec 30th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey's.
  • 1-hour road delays are posted for Dec 30th from 16:00 and 20:00 and Dec 31st from 00:00 to 03:00 for transportation from factory to launch pad.
  • Updated labeled Sanchez site map. (RGV Aerial / BingoBoca)
  • New Ringwatcher's article (5 of 5): The Bestagons: Starship’s Upgraded Heat Shield

Flight 7:

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-28):

  • Dec 27th cryo delivery tally.
  • Dec 27th addendum: Chopstick landing rails are raised. (ViX)
  • Massey's: B15 undergoes a ~~LOX tank~~ full cryo test. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Priel)
  • Pad A: Scaffolding is being removed from inside the launch mount. (NSF)
[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 2 weeks ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-31):

McGregor:

[–] threelonmusketeers 4 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-16):

  • Dec 15th cryo delivery tally.
  • Launch site: Work on Pad A launch mount continues. (cnunez)
  • Work on Pad B flame trench continues. (Gisler)
  • Reinforcement panels for Tower B are delivered. (Anderson / Starship Gazer)
  • Build site: A blue ring moves from Massey's to Starfactory, likely test tank related. (ViX)
  • A D-shaped platform moves into Megabay 2. (ViX, NSF)
  • Gisler posts photos of Sanchez from the back side, of the deluge system, chopsticks arms, and launch mount.
  • Two filler panels are installed on Launch Mount B. (ViX)
  • Massey's: S33 performs a single-engine static fire. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
  • A 2-hour road delay is posted for Dec 17th from 02:00 to 06:00 or 10:00 to 14:00 for transportation from Massey's to factory (presumably S33 rollback).
  • Additional closures are also listed for Dec 18th and 19th (00:00 to 03:00). (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Two 16-axle SPMTs depart from the build site towards Massey's. (ViX)
[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-05):

[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-11):

KSC:

[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-04):

KSC LC-39A:

[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-29):

[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 1 month ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-03):

  • Dec 2nd cryo delivery tally.
  • A single ring section emerges from Starfactory and moves directly to the scrapyard. (ViX)
  • Ship lifting jig stand arrives at Megabay 2, and the ship lifting jig is placed upon it. (ViX)
  • S34 closeups in Megabay 2. (NSF)
  • S35 forward flaps are being installed. (NSF)
  • Booster transport stand is sighted. (ViX)
  • A humourous sign at Sanchez advertises launch mount B as "penthouse apartments". (Starship Gazer, Mary)

KSC:

[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 2 weeks ago

Starbase activities (2024-12-30):

Flight 7:

[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Starbase activities (2024-12-15):

[–] threelonmusketeers 2 points 1 week ago

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

Starship Development Thread January 2025