Portions of this thread copied from a Starship Dev thread on r/SpaceX.
FAQ
- When next launch? IFT-4 is NET May per Gwynne Shotwell.
- When previous launch? (IFT-3)? Booster 10 and Ship 28 launched on 2024-03-14.
- What was the result? Booster makes it to the landing burn, but loses control and insufficient engines relight. RUD occurs at 462 m in altitude. S28 makes it to reentry but fails to face the heat shield in the correct direction, followed shortly by RUD. Payload door test and propellant transfer demo “complete”.
Quick Links
RAPTOR ROOST | LAB CAM | SAPPHIRE CAM | SENTINEL CAM | ROVER CAM | ROVER 2.0 CAM | PLEX CAM | NSF STARBASE
Starship Dev 53 | Starship Dev 52 | Starship Dev 51 | Starship Dev 50 | Starship Dev 49
Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-01-12)
Status
Road Closures - @bocaroad Mastodon bot
| Type | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Date | 2024-03-07 08:00 | 2024-03-07 20:00 | Closure Scheduled. |
| Backup Date | 2024-03-08 08:00 | 2024-03-08 20:00 | Possible closure. |
| Backup Date | 2024-03-09 08:00 | 2024-03-09 20:00 | Possible closure. |
| Primary Date | 2024-03-11 08:00 | 2024-03-11 20:00 | Closure Concluded. |
| Backup Date | 2024-03-12 08:00 | 2024-03-12 20:00 | Closure Cancelled. |
| Backup Date | 2024-03-13 08:00 | 2024-03-13 20:00 | Closure Cancelled. |
| Primary Date | 2024-03-14 00:00 | 2024-03-14 14:00 | Closure concluded. |
| Backup Date | 2024-03-15 00:00 | 2024-03-15 14:00 | Closure revoked. |
| Backup Date | 2024-03-16 00:00 | 2024-03-16 14:00 | Closure revoked. |
Up to date as of 2024-03-15
Vehicle Status
As of 2024-03-15
Follow Ring Watchers on Twitter and Discord for more.
| Ship | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S24 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | IFT-1 launched on 2023-04-20. Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| S25 | Atlantic Ocean | Destroyed | IFT-2 launched on 2023-11-18. Mostly successful launch and stage separation |
| S26 | Rocket Garden | Mysterious | Static fire Oct. 20. No fins or heat shield, multiple mysterious changes. Completed 3 cryo tests, latest on Oct 10. |
| S28 | Indian Ocean | Destroyed | IFT-3 launched on 2024-03-14. Ship destroyed on reentry due to heat shield facing the wrong way. |
| S29 | High Bay | Static fires completed | Spin prime Mar 11th, Static fire Mar 25th (6 engines) and 27th (1 engine) |
| S30 | High Bay | Pending engine install | 2x cryo: Jan 3rd and Jan 5th. |
| S31 | High Bay | Aft flaps installed | |
| S32 | Rocket Garden | Resting | Fully stacked, fore flaps installed but not aft flaps |
| S33-34 | Build Site | Parts spotted | To be scrapped in preparation for Starship V2 |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B7 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Destroyed by flight termination system after successful launch. |
| B9 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Successfully launched, destroyed during Boost back attempt. |
| B10 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | IFT-3 launched on 2024-03-14. Booster destroyed shortly after failed landing burn attempt. |
| B11 | Megabay 1 | Finalizing | Completed 2 Cryo tests. |
| B12 | Megabay 1 | Finalizing | Cryo x2 |
| B13 | Megabay 1 | Fully stacked | Chine installation underway |
| B14 | Megabay 1 | Partially stacked | Stacking in progress |
| B15 | Build Site | Assembly | Potential aft end spotted Jan 5th |
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-3 launch thread
You must log in or # to comment.
Starbase activities (2024-03-15):
- Workers continue to inspect the pad and OLM. Reported damage is minimal.
- Starfactory expansion nears the western end.
- Nice shot of S31 in High Bay.
KSC activities (2024-03-15):
- Orbital Launch Mount possibly prepping for rollout to 39A.
IFT-3:
- Ringwatchers speculation on results of the payload door test.
- Side-by-side comparison to IFT-1 and IFT-2.
Other:
- Elon on current and future Starship capabilities.
- Elon on timelines (taken with a grain of salt, as always. :)
Starbase activities (2024-03-20):
- Rear section of BQD cover is removed. BQD methane and LOX hoses are removed. NSF closeup and removal.
- Build site: Starfactory progress continues.
- Crane is rigged up to the ship engine install stand.
- B4: Workers inspect the top and midsection. Scaffold points sprayed white. Scaffold bracket installation begins.
- Sometime during the fog between 12:12 and 14:39, the top of the engine installation stand at Sanchez is removed.
- Megabay 2 prep for door installation :(
Other:
- Phil Metzger paper on dust from IFT-1 is released on ArXiv.
This thread maybe, next thread definitely!
Starbase activities (2024-03-01):
- S29 rolls out to launch complex (LabPadre timelapse, NSF livestream), and moves towards… the orbital pad? (NSF) S29 eventually starts rolling back towards suborbital site. S29 pez dispenser closeup.
- Ship lifting jig is connected to the Black LR 11000 crane.
- Main event: S28 is lifted up with the chopsticks (noisy) and placed on B10 with a clunk (LabPadre, NSF). LabPadre/Vicki timelapse. Workers spotted on SQD arm. Mid-lift picture (LabPadre), and glamour shots (photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4) from StashipGazer, Sean Doherty, and Mary. Ship quick disconnect deployed with some difficulty, connected, disconnected, and reconnected.
- B10 hot stage ring, and ship QD arm closeup.
- Build site: Work on tower segment and Starfactory continues. Window installation on Starfactory.
- New possible road closures scheduled for Mar 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
Starbase activities (2024-03-13):
- Overnight, booster and ship transport stands removed from launch complex.
- Black LR 11000 crane is lowered.
- S28 flaps tested.
- B10 grid fins tested. (zoom in)
- Jared Isaacman flies by.
- An OV-10 arrives, likely to fly the outline of the TFRs.
- S29 rolls into the High Bay, stops for a bit, then rolls the rest of the way in.
IFT-3:
- Launch licence received: https://www.faa.gov/media/69476 (PDF warning)
- FAA Finding of No Significant Impact for Indian Ocean Landings: https://www.faa.gov/media/76841 (PDF warning)
- FAA Environmental Assessment for Indian Ocean Landings: https://www.faa.gov/media/76836 (PDF warning)
- Gav Cornwell summarizes.
- Mary receives evacuation notice.
- SpaceX tweet.
- Elon’s jet (N628TS) does a quick tour of Europe: Austin, Berlin, Paris, London, currently heading to Teterboro New Jersey.
- New Ringwatchers article: Onward to Flight 3: The Complete History of S28 & B10
Starbase activities (2024-03-14):
- During the night, orbital tank farm starts venting.
- Slight delays due to wayward boats and wind.
- IFT-3 happens.
- Chopsticks close.
- Road open, cars to the pad. The little convoy included the ship transport stand and the OLM work platform.
- Starship Gazer photos of the pad.
- Road closures for Mar 15th and 16th are revoked.
IFT-3:
- SpaceX report.
- Booster makes it to the landing burn, but loses control and insufficient engines relight. RUD occurs at 462 m in altitude.
- S28 makes it to reentry but fails to face the heat shield in the correct direction, followed shortly by RUD.
- Payload door test and propellant transfer demo “complete”. (Is that equivalent to “successful”?)
- S28 rotation stabilized.
- Webcast views matched with Madagascar coast.
- Tim Dodd may have indirectly been responsible for the fate of S28 :)
Starbase activities (2024-03-16):
- Relatively quiet day yesterday.
- Inspections and work continues on the OLM, chopsticks, and pad.
IFT-3:
- Rhin0 posts a list of all known raptor engines on booster and ship.
- Pockn_CG posts a render of Starship orientation and camera angles on reentry.
Starbase activities (2024-03-25):
- Main event: Static fire of S29: NSF livestream. Road closed, Mary receives overpressure notice. LOX load, venting, engine chill, and static fire.
- Various angles: Nerdle, Rover2, Lab, Nerdle slowmo, Rover2 slowmo, Sapphire, NSF, Mary, and SpaceX drone.
- SpaceX confirms “full duration” static fire of 6 engines. NSF timelapse of entire tanking, static fire, and detanking process.
- OLM and chopsticks work continues.
- Build site: Tower segments coming along nicely (cnunez closeup from Saturday). Starfactory frame looks almost complete. Glass panel installation continues.
- B14 stacking continues.
Starbase activities (2024-03-17):
- Another quiet day, somewhat foggy.
- Inspection and work continues on the OLM, chopsticks, and pad. Some excavation near the orbital tank farm.
- Black LR11000 crane rises again.
- New RGV Aerial flyover: Massey’s test stand, Launch Tower B foundations, Launch Pad A post-launch (alternate angle), (full video).
Starbase activities (2024-03-18):
- Another fairly quiet day. OLM work continues.
- Teams checking the surrounding dune area for debris.
Other:
- New ChromeKiwi render of test stand at Massey’s.
IFT-4+:
- April, Hopefully (Elon Time).
- FAA representative says “no major issues” with IFT-3. SpaceX still aiming for 6 to 9 more Starship launches this year.
Starbase activities (2024-03-02):
- Quiet day.
- Overnight, S29 moves from orbital pad back to suborbital pad and is lifted onto test stand.
- LOX valve testing at the orbital tank farm.
- Road closure still possible for this afternoon (Mar 3rd).
Starbase activities (2024-03-23):
- S29: Ship unhooked from LR 11000 crane. Crane then rolls away from the test stand, towards D2 gate. Ship lifting jig leaves the launch site. S29 flaps deployed.
- OLM and chopsticks work continues.
- Launch Pad B: Steady convoy of dump truck deliveries, possibly for soil compaction.
- Starfactory progress continues: Frame nearing completion. More wall panels and windows added.
- B4 scrapping continues.
- Massey’s static fire flame trench: Deluge manifold spotted on its way to Starbase, and arriving at Starbase (StarshipGazer, LabPadre). Aerial photo of trench from RGV aerial.
KSC activities (2024-03-23):
Starbase activities (2024-03-24):
- Quiet day.
- OLM and chopsticks work continues.
Starbase activities (2024-03-12):
- S29: Overnight, S29 is lifted off the test stand (closeup). In the afternoon, S29 is unhooked and rolls back (LabPadre, NSF) to the production site.
- Build site: Another grid fin is removed from B4. Assembly begins on another tower segment.
LC-39A activities (2024-03-12):
- Teams performing work on the OLM legs/chopsticks. OLM leg segments are removed.
IFT-3:
https://hasspacexreceivedtheift3launchlicensemodificationyet.com/
Hah. Only slightly embarrassed by how useful this is to me.
Starbase activities (2024-03-26):
- B4 scrapping continues: Overnight, another section emerges from Megabay, aft section departs, and another section emerges. Scrapping continues throughout the day with the final section emerging mid-afternoon.
- OLM and chopsticks work continues. A couple lifts spotted under S29.
- S31 tile work is in progress.
- Build site timelapse: Starfactory frame nearing completion, with major progress compared to just a few days ago (RGV aerial, cnunez).
- Road closures: Mar 26th revoked, Mar 27th possible, Mar 28th possible.
- Mary receives overpressure notice for Mar 27th. Potentially another static fire!
Full stack wet dress rehearsal happening now. NSF are live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Eg_FltUZk
Lots of venting and frost.
Starbase activities (2024-03-03):
- S29 still connected to black LR 11000 crane.
- Main event: Full stack WDR of S28 and B10
- D2 gate is closed.
- New siren and pad evacuation announcement. Regular klaxon and pad clearing announcement. Village also evacuated, per Vicki and Mary.
- Chopsticks open and lower. (NSF 1, NSF 2)
- Tower and OLM venting. Multiple angles from LabPadre Rover 2, Nerdle, Lab, and Plex. Tower vent (LabPadre, NSF). OLM vent. OLM vent stops, and propellant load begins. (NSF livestream)
- Ship frosty, booster frosty, both nearly full. Propellant loading timelapse from Zack/NSF.
- FireX is tested.
- Detanking underway.
- New Ringwatchers diagram.
- Road closures still listed as possible (archive) for Mar 4th and 5th, but since Mar 3rd is still listed as “possible” not “scheduled”, I suspect the website has not been updated.
Starbase activities (2024-03-04):
- SpaceX tweet regarding WDR. Sounds like it went well. Next up would be FAA launch license, destack, arm the FTS, restack, then launch.
- S29 unhooked from black LR 11000 crane.
- B10 grid fins tested.
- Tower venting.
- Construction of second orbital launch pad continues: Excavators with stitchers on their booms installing wick drains.
- More cryo tanks inbound for Brownsville.
- Land swap approved with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department