FAQ
- When next launch? (Flight 9) NET April, “4 to 6 weeks” after Flight 8. (Elon)
- When previous launch? (Flight 8) Booster 15 and Ship 34 launched on 2025-03-06.
- 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 8 launch thread | Starship Dev March | Starship Dev February | Flight 7 launch thread | Starship Dev January | Starship Dev December | Starship Dev November
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)
Road closures and road delays
Cameron County website - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
- Road closures are posted for Apr 3rd and 4th, from 07:00 to 19:00, for non-flight testing activities.
Vehicle Status
*As of 2025-04-29
| 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. |
| Test Tank 16 | Sanchez | Resting | Cryo tested four times between July and September. Sliding plates added to the catch points on Jan 27th. Moved to Sanchez Mar 15th. |
| S34 | Caribbean | Destroyed | 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. Launched Mar 6th, experienced an RUD shortly before SECO. |
| S35 | Megabay 2 | Pending engine install | Parts spotted Sep 20th. Forward flap installation Dec 3rd. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Dec 11th. Stacked by Feb 7th. Cryo tested Mar 11th. |
| S36 | Massey’s | Stacking | Parts spotted in December. Stacking began Jan 30th. Moved to Megabay 2 Feb 12th. Stacking completed Mar 11th. Cryo tested Apr 27th. |
| S37 | Megabay 2 / Starfactory | Stacking / nose cone tiling | Parts spotted in December. Forward dome section moves to Megabay 2 Mar 24th. |
| S38 | Starfactory | Nose cone tiling | Parts spotted in December. Nosecone stacked on payload bay as of Mar 28th. |
| S39 | Starfactory | Assembly | Parts spotted (Apr 9th). |
| S40 | Starfactory | Assembly | Parts spotted (Apr 10th). |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B12 | Rocket Garden | Resting | 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. |
| B14 | Megabay 1 | Pre-launch checkouts | 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. Static fired Apr 3rd. |
| B15 | Rocket Garden | Resting | Stacked from July to September. Methane tank cryo test Dec 27th, full cryo test Dec 28th. Static fired Feb 9th. Launched and landed Mar 6th. |
| B16 | Megabay 1 | Pending engine install | Stacking completed by Dec 26th. Cryo tested Feb 28th. |
| B17 | Rocket Garden | Pending engine install | Parts spotted. First two sections moved to Megabay 1 Jan 4th. Fully stacked by Apr 7th. Cryo tested Apr 9th. |
| B18.1 | Build site | Assembly | Likely a test article for Block 2 boosters. Parts spotted Feb 24th. |
| Test Tank 17 | Starfactory | Assembly | Likely a test article for Block 3 boosters. Spotted Apr 21. |
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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Sorry for the delay, I was sick for a couple days; on the mend now :)
Starbase activities (2025-04-26):
- Apr 25th addendum: Starfactory wall panelling removal begins. (ViX)
- Build site: Starfactory glass removal continues. (ViX)
- Pad B launch mount receives two more hold-down clamp arms, for a tentative total of four. (ViX, Ryan Hansen)
- Updated clamp arm animation from Killip.
- New manifold installed on the launch mount for Pad B. (Starship Gazer, render from Killip)
- Ship cryo test stand enters Megabay 2. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
- S36 exits Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S36 rolls out to Massey’s. (NSF, ViX, Starship Gazer)
- S37 in Megabay 2. (Starship Gazer)
- S38 and S39 nosecones in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, NSF)
- Booster version 3 (“Test Tank 17”) in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
- Launch site: Pad A chopsticks are raised, opened, and lowered. (ViX)
- A long object is laid between two launch mount legs at Pad B. (Gisler)
- RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of Pad B. (RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2)
- Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
Starbase activities (2025-04-27):
- Massey’s: S36 performs two rounds of cryo tests. (NSF 1, NSF 2, ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Build site: Some clamp arm actuators are installed on the launch mount for Pad B. (ViX)
- S40 methane header tank in Starfactory. (CeaserG33)
- Launch site: The Buckner and SpaceX LR11000 cranes swap places, presumably to facilitate reconfiguration of the Buckner crane. (ViX)
- More cryo pump sumps arrive. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
- Other: S35 to perform a long-duration static fire. (anixsfs, lead designer and builder of Starship stands)
Starbase activities (2025-04-28):
- Apr 27th cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: Window removal continues. (NSF)
- Little progress on Highbay demolition, Starfactory window demolition continues. (ViX)
- S38 nosecone moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
- Ship static fire stand moves from the Rocket Garden to Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 29th between 10:00 and 16:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
- Launch site: The Buckner LR11000 crane is laid down, presumably for reconfiguration. (ViX)
- Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
KSC:
- New satellite images of LC-39A, showing construction progress. (Stranger 1, Stranger 2)
- A few videos from ground level. (Tegtmeyer 1, Tegtmeyer 2)
Starbase activities (2025-04-01):
- Mar 31st cryo delivery tally. Cryo deliveries continue.
- Busy day!
- 1-hour road delay is posted for Apr 1st between 04:00 and 10:00 for transport from the factory to the pad.
- Pad A: B14-2 rolls out to the launch site. (NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX)
- B14-2 is lifted onto the launch mount. (NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Gisler)
- B14-2 has a “flown hardware” sticker. (Anderson / Starship Gazer)
- Pad B: Gantry construction continues, and a manifold has been installed. (Starship Gazer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4)
- Chopsticks work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Flame trench construction continues. Scaffolding is lowered into the flame trench, we get a peek at a stringer, and the final flame diverter frame is lowered. (Gisler)
- Tank farm: Construction and plumbing work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler 5, Gisler 6, Gisler 7)
- Blast wall is poured. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
- Other: A pink crane is sighted. (Gisler)
- Reassembly of the black LR11000 crane begins. (Gisler)
- Concrete for the roundabout is poured. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Large pipes are being entrenched on Highway 4 opposite the pad. (Gisler)
- Build site: Raptors are moved from Sanchez to Starfactory, presumably for S35. (Ringwatchers, ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Highbay deconstruction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Large plumbing parts destined for Sanchez are delivered to the pad. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (closeup))
- Launch mount B and flame diverter are still at Sanchez.
- Massey’s: Multiple boom lifts of workers are observed at the mystery circular test structure. (Gisler)
Note for Piefed users: Post pinning doesn’t seem to consistently federate from Lemmy to Piefed, but you can click “notify about replies” (on the original post, not this comment) to stay up to date with this thread.
I enjoy the format of these threads, they’re packed with juicy details, but you can also quickly skim over and still get a useful overview, if you’ve had too much caffeine. Thank you for the enthusiasm you put in to these, I can tell that it’s from the heart. My favorite is the Rocket Garden update and location data, Starbase is expanding so quickly!
Thanks! It’s nice to know that people appreciate these threads :)
Starbase activities (2025-04-11):
- Apr 10th cryo delivery tally.
- Massey’s: B17 remains at Massey’s. The 00:00 to 04:00 road delay went unused. (ViX)
- Build site: Overnight, demolition of the Stargate building continues. (NSF, ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, clwphoto1)
- Highbay demolition continues. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, cnunez)
- A section of the Pad B flame deflector is on the move at Sanchez, likely pending rollout to the launch site. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Beyer)
- Both halves of the Pad B flame deflector depart for the launch site. (NSF, Gomez)
- Launch site: Work on the Pad B gantry continues. (Gisler)
- New miscellaneous 4k video of the launch site from Starship Gazer.
McGregor:
- Horizontal Raptor test stand beats its previous record of 385 seconds with a 460 second test. (Hayden / NSF)
KSC:
- Launch mount for LC-39A is under construction. (NSF)
When next launch? (Flight 8) NET April, “4 to 6 weeks” after Flight 8. (Elon)
When previous launch? (Flight 7)? Booster 15 and Ship 34 launched on 2025-03-06.I think the numbers in the parentheses need incrementing.
Thanks; fixed.
Starbase activities (2025-04-12):
- Apr 11th cryo delivery tally.
- Pad B: Overnight, both halves of the flame deflector arrive at Pad B. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the flame trench.
- The first half of the flame deflector is lowered into the Pad B flame trench. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer)
- The second half of the flame deflector is lowered into the flame trench. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
- A y-shaped pipe for the deluge system is delivered and lifted into the flame trench. (ViX)
- Tank farm: Pump motor #5, pump sump #6 and pump #6 are installed. (ViX)
Builddemolition site: Stargate building entrance sign is demolished. (NSF, ViX)- Highbay demolition continues. (ViX, Gisler, RGV Aerial)
- A raptor center engine is delivered to Megabay 2, presumably for S35. (Video)
- Other: New miscellaneous 4k video from Starship Gazer: Views of a Wide Variety of Activities and Construction
KSC:
- More space is cleared at LC-39A, thought to be for an air separation unit. (Anderson)
Starbase activities (2025-04-13):
- Apr 12th cryo delivery tally.
- Apr 12th addenda: A second raptor engine (R499, an R-vac) and a third engine (R-center) enter Megabay 2, presumably for installation on S35. (Ringwatchers, ViX)
- Starship Gazer posts a closeup photo of the second half on the flame diverter being lowered into the flame trench. (4k video)
- Build site: A fourth engine (R519, an R-vac) and fifth engine (R-center) enter Megabay 2. (Ringwatchers, ViX)
- A sixth engine (R-vac) enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Megabay 2 now contains a set of six engines, presumably for S35.
- Highbay demolition continues with a chequerboard pattern. (ViX)
- Pad B: More pipes for the deluge system are delivered. (ViX)
- Killip posts a few diagrams, renders, and photos of the Pad B deluge plumbing. (Killip 1, Killip 2, Killip 3, Killip 4, Killip 5)
Starbase activities (2025-04-29):
- Apr 28th cryo delivery tally.
- Apr 28th addenda: In Megabay 2, S35 is lifted onto the static fire test/transport stand. This is the first lift of this kind to be completed using the ship catch pin sockets. (Planatus666)
- Photo highlighting some missing tiles in one of the catch pin areas on S35. (Starship Gazer)
- Having completed a couple rounds of cryo testing, S36 rolls back from Massey’s to Megabay 2. Shortly after, S35 rolls out from Megabay 2 to Massey’s presumably for static fire testing. (NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Gisler)
- Build site: S36 is attached to lifting jig in Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Clamp arms continue to arrive at Sanchez for installation on the launch mount for Pad B. (ViX)
- Highbay demolition resumes; four staircase sections are removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Starfactory window removal continues. (ViX)
- Launch site: Demolition of the container wall to the right of the D2 gate has begun. (ViX)
- Massey’s: 2-hour road delay is posted for between Apr 29th 22:00 and Apr 30th 04:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
- S35 venting and potential long-duration static fire attempt. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF livestream)
Starbase activities (2025-04-05):
- Apr 4th cryo delivery tally.
- Pretty quiet Saturday.
- The Berry LTM11200 crane (which had been moved off to the side to facilitate booster rollout) has now been relocated to the rear of the Highbay, possibly to resume demolition work. (ViX)
Starbase activities (2025-04-07):
- Apr 6th cryo delivery tally.
- Launch site: B14 is lifted from the launch mount to the transport stand. (LabPadre, ViX)
- A LOX pump motor and a vapourizer are removed from the tank farm. (ViX)
- The pump beneath the motor is lifted out and swapped over into sump #5. (ViX)
- Chopsticks at Pad B perform some lateral tests. (ViX)
- Work on the Pad B flame trench and gantry continues. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- The green pipes for the water deluge have now been buried. (Gisler)
- Grackles and gulls. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Build site: Demolition of the Highbay resumes. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Roger S / NSF, Gisler)
- S39 header tank is sighted in Starfactory. (Beyer)
- A Booster cryo test stand and a booster cap arrive outside Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- Booster cap and cryo test stand enter Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- B17 is lifted onto the cryo test stand. Rollout to Massey’s is expected. (ViX)
KSC:
- Work on the LC-39A flame trench continues. (Stranger 1, Stranger 2, Stranger 3, soar.earth)
Starbase activities (2025-04-15):
- Apr 14th cryo delivery tally.
- Apr 14th addendum: Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
- 2-hour road delays are posted for Apr 16th and 17th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Massey’s.
- Overnight, B17 moves from Massey’s to the build site. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 4k video)
- Build site: B17 enters Megabay 1. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX)
- Cryo stand exits Megabay 1, transport stand enters. (ViX)
- The final section of S37 (aft section) moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Tank farm: Final two pump sumps, #8 and #9 are installed. Three pumps (#7 through #9) and 4 motors (#6 through #9) are pending installation. (ViX)
Starbase activities (2025-04-16):
- Apr 15th cryo delivery tally.
- Apr 15th addendum: B17 moves from Megabay 1 to the Rocket Garden. (NSF, ViX, RoughRidersShow, cnunez)
- Build site: Hotstaging adapter emerges from Starfactory. (video)
- Hotstaging adapter enters Megabay 1. (video)
- B14 receives its hotstaging adapter. (video, Starship Gazer)
- Highbay demolition continues. (ViX, cnunez)
- Starfactory cladding panel reinstallation begins. (Gisler)
- Launch site: Roundabout construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, cnunez)
- Pad B plumbing work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- More pipes for the deluge system are delivered. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the flame trench.
- Pad B gantry construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4)
Starbase activities (2025-04-17):
- Quiet day, nothing major reported.
- Apr 16th addendum: Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
- Reconfiguration of the SpaceX LR11000 crane continues. (Planatus666).
Starbase activities (2025-04-19):
- Apr 18th addendum: The hotstage adapter is removed from B14 and exits Megabay 1. (Video)
- Overnight, a second launch mount leg arrives at Pad B. (NSF, Starship Gazer, Planatus666)
- The hotstage adapter reenters Megabay 1. (Video)
- Potential launch mount B clamp arm is spotted. (Anderson, Starship Gazer)
- RGV Aerial post additional photos of the Pad B flame trench (photo 1, photo 2)
KSC activities:
- Satellite timelapse of work at LC-39A. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2, copernicus.eu)
Starbase activities (2025-04-20):
- 2nd anniversary of Starship full stack Flight Test 1.
- Quiet day, nothing major reported.
- Starship Gazer posts a photo and video of the newly delivered hold-down clamp arm for launch mount B.
- Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
Starbase activities (2025-04-21):
- Apr 20 cryo delivery tally.
- Build site: Highbay demolition continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- The LTM11200 crane is laid down briefly, then raised back up. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- A test tank for booster version 3 emerges from Megabay 1 and moves towards Starfactory. (NSF, ViX)
- Launch site: The SpaceX LR11000 crane reconfiguration continues. Reeving process is underway. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- 15-minute road delay is posted for Apr 23rd between 01:00 and 02:00 for transport from pad to factory.
KSC activities:
- Scaffolding is erected around the chopsticks at LC-39A. (pewpewturtle69, Killip, starship_34
