FAQ
- When is the next Integrated Flight Test (IFT-2)? Booster 9 + Ship 25 launched Saturday, November 18 after slight delay.
- What was the result? Successful lift off with minimal pad damage. Successful booster operation with all engines to successful hot stage separation. Booster destroyed after attempted boost-back. Ship fired all engines to near orbital speed then lost. No re-entry attempt.
- Did IFT-2 Fail? No. As part of an iterative test programme, many milestones were achieved. Perfection is neither expected nor desired at this stage.
- Next launch? IFT-3 expected to be Booster 10, Ship 28 per a recent NSF Roundup. Probably no earlier than Feb 2024. Prerequisite IFT-2 mishap investigation.
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Quick Links
RAPTOR ROOST | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
Starship Dev 50 | Starship Dev 49 | Starship Dev 48 | Starship Dev 47
Official Starship Update | r/SpaceX Update Thread
Status
Road Closures
| Type | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Date | 2023-12-08 16:00 | 2023-12-08 21:00 | Possible Closure |
| Alternative Date | 2023-12-11 08:00 | 2023-12-11 20:00 | Possible Closure |
| Alternative Date | 2023-12-12 08:00 | 2023-12-12 20:00 | Possible Closure |
Up to date as of 2023-12-08
Vehicle Status
As of 2023-12-08
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-S24, 27 | Scrapped or Retired | S20 in Rocket Garden, remainder scrapped. | |
| S24 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | April 20th (IFT-1): Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| S25 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | Mostly successful launch and stage separation |
| S26 | Rocket Garden | Testing | Static fire Oct. 20. No fins or heat shield, plus other changes. Completed 3 cryo tests, latest on Oct 10. |
| S28 | High Bay | Pending heatshield completion | Cryo test on July 28. Raptor install began Aug 17. Completed 2 cryo tests. |
| S29 | High Bay | Fully stacked, completed 3x cryo tests, awaiting engine install. | |
| S30 | High Bay | Under construction | Fully stacked |
| S31 | Rocket Garden | Fully stacked, awaiting flaps | Stacking in progress. |
| S32 | High Bay | Under construction | Stacking in progress. |
| S33-34 | Build Site | Being scrapped | To be scrapped in preparation for Starship V2 |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-B7 & B8 | Scrapped or Retired | B4 in Rocket Garden, remainder scrapped. | |
| B7 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| B9 | Bottom of sea | Destroyed | Successfully launched, destroyed during Boost back attempt. |
| B10 | Rocket garden | Engine install? | Completed 4 cryo tests. Moved to Massey’s on Sep 11, back to Megabay Sep 20. |
| B11 | Megabay | Finalizing | Completed 2 Cryo tests. |
| B12 | Megabay | Finalizing | Appears complete, except for raptors, hot stage ring, and cryo testing. |
| B13 | Megabay | Stacking | Lower half mostly stacked. |
| B14+ | Build Site | Assembly | Assorted parts spotted through B15. |
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
Link to IFT-2 Launch Party Thread
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Starbase activities (2023-11-27):
- Pipework delivered for the tank farm
- Long SPMT (26 axles) moved to the Launch site, likely for tank installation operations.
- Huge cryo tank delivered (video)
- Arrival at the launch site
- Tank transferred from delivery trailer to SPMT
- SPMT moves tank into position
- TPS work on S28 continues
- OLM work continues, and a lift was observed near the chopsticks.
Unsourced rumour that a large spherical tank will be moved from Florida to Starbase.
Starbase activities (2023-11-29):
- 4th cryo tank arrives (video)
- 4th cryo tank installed (video)
- The letters “WAY TO M” in “gateway to mars” were installed
- 5th cryo tank arrives (video)
- 5th cryo tank installed (video)
- Raptor truck delivering to Massey’s
- TPS work on S28 coming along nicely
- Work continues on the chopsticks
- Booster stabilization pins reinstalled on OLM
Starbase activities (2023-11-30):
- No new cryo tank deliveries. The 26-axle SPMT is taking a break.
- S33 aft section was scrapped a few days ago. With S32 being the last V1 Starship, it is expected that all components of S33+ will be scrapped in preparation for Starship V2.
- “Gateway to mars” sign was completed. (timelapse video)
- Installation of top windows for Megabay 2 has begun
- TPS work on S28 continues
- OLM work continues
- Chopstick work continues
McGregor:
- Shockwaves from Raptor testing: https://nitter.net/AdamCuker/status/1730407352325538096#m
Bonus:
- Tesla finally released the footage of the drone collision with an R-Vac a while back. (timestamp 1:37)
B9 needing a replacement “grid fin actuator”
Seems launch delayed til Saturday, works out specifically for me!
Indeed. Source: https://nitter.net/elonmusk/status/1725231694645461403#m
We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday
Will replacing the actuator will require another destack, or will they be able to fix it in place?
Pretty unlikely that they could fix it in a day if it required destack
I thought so too, but they just finished restacking after replacing several actuators. They’re really good at this!
Yeah, I saw it. I guess my mistake was thinking they would have to transport it back somewhere to make the replacement
Starbase activities (2023-11-28):
- 2nd cryo tank arrives (video)
- 2nd cryo tank installed (video)
- 3rd cryo tank arrives (video)
- 3rd cryo tank installed (video)
- Large letters delivered for a new sign at the launch site, likely reading “gateway to mars”. For some reason, they installed the “R” first, then “ARS”…
- TPS work on S28 continues.
- Welding work observed on the OLM and the chopsticks.
Starbase activities (2023-12-05):
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Weird-looking ring spotted. Purpose unclear. Any guesses?
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Booster transport stand moved to Megabay 1
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B10 exits Megabay 1
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B10 rolled out to the Sanchez site
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Chopsticks raised and lowered
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NASA astronauts spotted at Starbase
Might make sense to post space_rocket_builder’s words here as well, given his past record.
Good idea! I’ve added it their comment to the 12-06 update.
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This thread maybe, next thread definitely!
Busy day at Starbase yesterday:
- Inspections of OLM, B9, and S25 continue
- Net was removed from beneath OLM
- Chopsticks raised to lifting position on S25
- “Dance floor” work platform lowered onto an SPMT and removed from under the OLM
- SPMT moves the raptor install stand from near hopper to near sub orbital pad A
- Welding observed on several of the OLM legs
IFT-2 slips to NET November 15th. Road closures for the 13th and 14th have been cancelled, and the Mexican NOTMAR has been updated.
Dear Moon officially slips to NET 2024 :)
Starbase activities (2023-12-03):
- Window installation continues on Megabay 2
- Concrete being torn up near the orbital tank farm, likely in preparation for constructing a new wall.
- Several boom lifts observed at the chopsticks
Starbase activities (2023-12-02):
Not too much action today:
- Storage structure at the launch site was dismantled, likely to free up space for a new wall surrounding the orbital tank farm.
- Ongoing work on the chopsticks, OLM, and S28 TPS
The past day’s Starbase activities (2023-11-11):
- LR11000 crane raised back up.
- S25 was destacked from B9 (again).
- LR11000 raises lifting jig up to the top of B9 in preparation for hot stage ring removal.
- Wind and rain continue :)
The past day’s Starbase activities (2023-11-14):
- Weather improved!
- TPS repairs were done on S25.
- A new cryo storage tank (possibly for methane) arrived at Masseys.
- Inspections and minor work took place on B9 and the OLM.
IFT-2 news:
- A temporary flight restriction (TFR) was posted for November 17th, “From the surface up to Unlimited”.
- Still no launch license yet, but all signs point to November 17th as the current target date.
Starbase activities (2023-12-01):
- Starkitty sighted
- Rear cover of Booster QD removed and placed on an SPMT (video)
- “Gateway to mars” sign illumination testing. At least the letters “TO MA” work.
- TPS work on S28 continues
- Chopstick work continues (4+ lifts working simultaneously, welding observed)
Rumour is that IFT-3 (B10, S28) is NET Feb 2024.
The past day’s Starbase activities (2023-11-13):
- Poor weather continues :)
Other Starship related stuff:
- The CEO reported that regulatory approval “should happen in time for a Friday launch”. He does not specify which Friday :)
- IFT-2 is now reflected on the FAA ATC Current Operations Plan Advisory (permalink). This is not the launch license, but it may indicate that one is on the way.
- November 15th’s road closure was revoked, but a road closure was posted for November 17th, with the 18th and 19th listed as alternate dates.
- Ringwatchers posted an interesting analysis of SpaceX’s recent IFT-2 hype video.
Starbase activities (2023-12-06):
- B10 moved to rocket garden (video)
- A better shot of the weird-looking ring section from yesterday. It has a denser arrangement of pins. Why? More pins per tile? Smaller tiles?
- Starbase gains a silly road sign.
- About a dozen Starlink ground stations spotted at the back of the Sanchez site today
- Work on the OLM, chopsticks, and Megabay 2 continues
- S28 TPS looks to be nearing completion
Other Starship news:
- Potential road closures posted for December 8th, 11th, and 12th. Is this the start of B10’s testing campaign? Or S28?
IFT-3 NET 2024 as per u/space_rocket_builder (a claimed/suspected insider) in The Other Place:
Well… expect a launch sometime early 2024. Findings from the last flight have been positive so far so we are expecting a much shorter turnaround time this time but still have a lot of work to do for the next flight.
S25 is being stacked back on B9! NSF are live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0
