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
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 2025-04-22
| 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 | Megabay 2 | Stacking | Parts spotted in December. Stacking began Jan 30th. Moved to Megabay 2 Feb 12th. Stacking completed Mar 11th. |
| 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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Starbase activities (2025-04-23):
- Apr 22nd cryo delivery tally.
- Apr 22nd addenda: Pad B launch mount leg erection (#1 and #2). (NSF, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
- S37 now visible in Megabay 2. (Starship Gazer)
- Closeup of the flame diverter top piece and additional 4k video from Starship Gazer.
- mcrs987 spent 3 hours counting the holes in the above photo an came to a total of 15,898 holes (possibly +309). 7994 large ones, 7904 small denser ones in the centre.
- Build site: A grid fin is lifted up to B16 in Megabay 1. (ViX)
- Scaffolding around the launch mount for Pad B is being dismantled. (Gisler)
- Test Tank 17 (booster version 3 prototype) is visible in Starfactory. (clwphoto1)
- Starbase Gigabay will be 117.3 m tall, which is 1.5 m taller than the Florida Giga Bay. (Caton / FAA)
- Pad B: RGV Aerial post a flyover photo.
- Installation of wall sections in the flame trench continues. (ViX)
- The Y-pipe is installed in the deluge system. (ViX)
- Chopsticks testing. (Anderson / NSF)
- Launch mount legs #3 and #4 are erected. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Gisler)
- New Pad B render in a twitter thread by Ashley Killip. (Apr 18 #1, Apr 18 #2, Apr 23)
- Tank farm: Inlet pipe is installed at pump #4. (ViX)
- Other: Reconfiguration of the SpaceX LR11000 crane continues, main hook block is reeved. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Construction of the roundabout continues. (Gisler)
- Mystery delivery wrapped in blue. (Gisler)
McGregor:
Starbase activities (2025-04-22):
- Apr 21 cryo delivery tally.
- Apr 21st addenda: Pad B chopsticks are raised and lowered. (ViX)
- Another hold-down arm for the Pad B launch mount is on its way to Sanchez. (ViX)
- Build site: A Pez dispenser moves from Starfactory to the right side of Megabay 2, presumably for installation in S38. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- S37 is transferred to the centre work stand in Megabay 2. (ViX)
- The LTM11200 crane is laid down. (ViX)
- Launch site: Flame diverter top piece arrives at Pad B. (NSF, ViX)
- Shake tests are performed on Pad A chopsticks. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2)
- The remaining two launch mount legs arrive at Pad B. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- The first two Pad B launch mount legs are erected. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, SubstantialWall/NSF)
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
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 (2025-04-19):
- 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 (2025-04-18):
- Apr 17th addenda: Roundabout construction (Gisler and reconfiguration of the SpaceX LR11000 crane continues (Planatus666, Gisler).
- Build site: Highbay demolition continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, cnunez)
- S39 nosecone in Starfactory. (cnunez)
- Launch site: RGV Aerial post a flyover photo of Pad B with the flame diverter installed.
- Pad B gantry construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler 5, Gisler 6, cnunez 1, cnunez 2)
- Plumbing work for the Pad B deluge system continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
- Relevant thread from Killip: Apr 13 #1, Apr 13 #2, Apr 13 #3, Apr 17.
- Both Pad B and Pad A chopsticks undergo testing. (NSF 1, NSF 2)
- The first support column for the Pad B launch mount arrives. Bolt pattern matches the supports seen at Sanchez, and suggests that launch mount B will be interchangeable. (Killip 1, Killip 2, Golden 1, Golden 2) Roundabout construction continues. (cnunez)
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).
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 (2025-04-15):
- 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 (2025-04-14):
- Apr 13th cryo delivery tally.
- Tank farm: Pump sump #7 is installed. (ViX)
- Pad A: Chopsticks perform around two dozen closure tests at various speeds. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX)
- Build site: Ship lifting jig enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
- Ringwatchers post a summary of engines for S35.
- Highbay demolition continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
- Massey’s: RGV Aerial post a flyover photo of what is speculated to be the new booster thrust simulator.
- 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 15th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from Massey’s to factory, presumably for B17 rollback.
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)
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)
April 9th addenda:
- Apr 9th cryo delivery tally.
- NSF timelapse of B17 cryo test at Massey’s.
- Methane tank is partially filled a bit before 19:20, both tanks fully filled by 20:40.
- S37 center methane transfer tube/downcomer is lifted into Megabay 2.
Starbase activities (2025-04-10):
- Build site: Demolition of the Stargate building begins. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Anderson 3 (“do not shoot the glass”), Anderson 4)
- Highbay demolition continues. (Anderson)
- S36 heatshield work continues in Megabay 2. (Starship Gazer)
- S40 header tank is sighted in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer)
- NSF post a nice closeup video of B14 gridfin rotation from earlier this week.
- Launch site: At the Pad B tank farm, the pump sump from position #5 position is removed and replaced. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- 5th and 6th cryo pumps are delivered. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4)
- The flame diverter crossbeam is lowered into the Pad B flame trench. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Gisler)
- The south half of the roundabout is completed and open for traffic. (Starship Gazer, Gisler)
- 1-hour road delay is posted for between Apr 11th 23:00 and Apr 12th 03:00 for transport from factory to pad.