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Starship Development Thread November 2024

Starbase activities (2024-10-31 🎃):

• Oct 30th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Minor chopstick movements. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Pad B: CC8800-1 crane disassembly continues. (ViX)
• Sanchez: Section 2 of level 2 is fitted to launch mount B. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF flyover)
• Massey's: Staircase metal work is performed on the test cage. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Halloween rainbow for S33. (Mouser, ViX)
• S33 performs another cryo test. (ViX)

Other: RGV Aerial summary of Spaceflight Now interview with Dr. Kent Chojnacki, the deputy manager for NASA HLS program:

• Ship to Ship prop transfer campaign planned to start in March 2025
• Ship to Ship prop transfer test planned to be completed over the summer
• NASA is looking for a bi-weekly cadence with only the Boca pads at first and then later getting 39a online
• NASA helped SpaceX test their MMOD (Micro Meteoroids & Orbital Debris) tiles which will be used in space
• NASA helped SpaceX improve cryogenic valves and other internal cryogenic cooling components
• SpaceX uses testing capabilities at Glenn and Marshall and expanded that relationship
• Design update in November, critical design review next year
• Astronauts have a meeting with SpaceX once a month to improve the HLS design
• There are HLS crew cabin, sleeping quarters, and laboratory mock ups at Boca Chica

Starbase activities (2024-10-30):

• Oct 29th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: CC800-1 crane disassembly continues. (ViX)
• Build site: Three SPMTs carrying turntable parts depart from Sanchez, heading inland on Highway 4, destination unknown. (ViX)
• Two new sections arrive for launch mount B. (ViX)
• B16's A3 section enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• Massey's: S33 completes a full cryo test. Interesting venting action is observed. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF, Priel)
• Visual comparison of propellant tank size between S31 (v1 ship) and S33 (v2 ship) by height of frost line. (LabPadre)
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Nov 1st (01:00 to 04:00) and 2nd (00:00 and 03:00) for transport from Massey’s to factory. (Presumably S33 rollback)

Starbase activities (2024-10-29):

• Oct 28th cryo delivery tally.
• Oct 28th addenda: Concrete pour at Pad B. (ViX)
• Timelapse of chopstick tests. (Priel)
• Large diameter cryo-pipe is delivered to the launch site, likely for the new LOX subcoolers. (LabPadre)
• Pad A: Work on the launch mount continues. (cnunez)
• Pad B: CC8800-1 crane lowers, and the derrick winch line is retracted, and the derrick is removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5)
• Construction on passage between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler)
• Workers at Starhopper. (Gisler)
• Build site: B16's LOX tank section is staged outside Megabay 1. (ViX)
• Sanchez: The first section of the second level of launch mount B is slowly stacked. (ViX, Golden)
• Massey's: S33 cryo test. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Gomez)
• RGV Aerial post a comparison between 2023-04-20 and 2024-10-13.

McGregor:

• Flame diverter for the new south Raptor vertical stand is lowered into its flame trench. (Swartz/NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-10-28):

• Pad A: Chopsticks ~~slew~~ slewing tests. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad B: CC8800-1 main boom is disassembled. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4)
• Build site: B12 moves from Megabay 1 to Rocket Garden. (ViX, Priel, NSF)
• A booster CO2 tank enters the Megabay. (ViX)
• Booster quick disconnect hardware arrives. (NSF)
• Massey's: Venting observed near S33. (Roger S)
• RGV Aerial post another photo of the recovered B12 hotstage ring.

McGregor:

• Another Raptor 3 is spotted, this time on a horizontal test stand. (Anderson/NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-10-27):

• Oct 26th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: CC8800-1 crane reassembly begins. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Build site: Booster transport stand enters Megabay 1, and B12 is transferred onto it. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• S33 still at Massey's. (ViX, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, cnunez 5)
• Hammer posts a recent closeup of S33 from just prior to rollout.
• RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of Starfactory, B13 at Pad A, and Pad B flame trench.
• ChromeKiwi posts a new render of Pad B flame trench based on new parts spotted at Sanchez.

Starbase activities (2024-10-26):

• Oct 25th cryo delivery tally.
• Oct 25th addenda: ViX timelapse of chopstick lowering and B13 rollback. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Overnight, S33 rolls out to Massey's. (ViX, LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Priel, Beyer, Gomez)
• Megabay 1: B13 is transferred from transport stand to work stand. (ViX)
• Pad B: CC8800-1 crane back mast is lowered, then raised. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of the launch site, B13 at Pad A, Pad B flame trench, and the recovered B12 hotstage ring at Massey's.
• BingoBoca posts an infographic highlighting changes in propellant tank size and location.

IFT-5:

• A post from Marcus House receives a reply from Elon, in regards to the nearly-aborted booster catch: "A second is a long time to a rocket. Said another way, it was 1000ms or ~50 control cycles away from hitting the tower. Not actually that close."

Starbase activities (2024-10-02):

• Oct 1st cryo delivery update.
• Build site: Overnight, booster “puck shucker” test/transport stand moves into Megabay 1 and B14 is lifted onto it, likely in preparation for transport to Massey's. (ViX, LabPadre, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF, Gisler)
• Sanchez: Gisler posts a photo. Chopsticks carriage is still surrounded by scaffolding.
• Pad A: Chopstick wiggle tests performed in the early morning and afternoon.
• Tank farm active in the evening, chopsticks rise, and drones are spotted. (Anderson)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane is laid down, and dismantling begins (ViX, NSF).
• Load spreader for chopsticks testing moves to the launch site. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)

Maritime:

• Two more cryo tanks en route to Brownsville port. (Cornwell)

McGregor:

• Possible HLS thruster test spotted. (NSF/Nerdplysgames)

Other:

• NOTMAR for "rocket launching activities near Boca Chica" are spotted for Oct 12th through 19th. These are likely just placeholders, as the official word from the FAA is still NET November. Berger has heard rumours to the contrary, but nothing is finalized. A NASA WB-57 is listed for imagery support in mid-October, but those are also just placeholder dates.

Starbase activities (2024-10-01):

• Sep 30th cryo delivery update.
• Sep 30th addendum: LabPadre and NSF timelapses of hotstage ring removal from B12.
• Overnight, booster transport stand moves from the launch site to Sanchez. (ViX)
• Crew lift goes up to the top of B12. (ViX)
• Two corner segments for launch mount B arrive. One is lifted onto an assembly stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Mary)
• Booster "puck shucker" test/transport stand moves from Sanchez to build site. (ViX)

Other:

• All of S30's Raptor engines have now been identified. Centers are R269, R319, and R334. Vacuums are R368, R384, and R390. (SpaceRhin0)

Starbase activities (2024-10-03):

• Oct 2nd cryo delivery update.
• Overnight, B14 and ship test stand move to Massey's. (ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Gomez)
• Also overnight, some chopstick testing and cryo pipe cleaning. (ViX)
• Pad A: Workers inspect S30. (LabPadre, House/Gisler)
• Water bags are delivered for chopstick testing. (Mary)
• Build site: Megabay 2's 4-point lifting jig is lowered (ViX). Another lifting jig arrives at Starfactory in the afternoon (LabPadre).
• Massey's: The "top hat" portion of the "can crusher" testing rig is removed. (ViX)
• Road closures for “non-flight testing” are posted for Oct 7th (10:00 to 22:00), and for Oct 8th and 9th (08:00 to 20:00).

Starbase activities (2024-10-04):

• Oct 3rd cryo delivery update.
• Pad A: Telehandler unfurls large water bags, which are then mounted on the chopsticks. (Phillips, LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, Starship Gazer, Hammer)
• Bags are then filled. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer, Hammer 1, Hammer 2, Ramirez)
• Chopstick deflection comparison and weight estimates (ViX, Anderson 1, Anderson 2).
• Bags are placed further out on the lever arm than in 2022. (Anderson)
• B12 grid fin photo with humans for scale. (Gisler)
• Evening preparations underway to lift hot stage ring back on B12. (Anderson)
• Pad B: Disassembly of the CC8800-1 crane continues. (ViX)
• Build site: 4th and final corner of launch mount 2 is spotted heading to Sanchez. (ViX)
• Pez dispenser emerges from Starfactory and moves to Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• New cladding is being added to the garage. (Gisler)
• Massey's: B14 is cryo tested. (ViX, cnunez)
• 1-hour road delays are posted for Oct 6th and 7th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Massey’s.
• Oct 7th road closure (10:00 to 22:00) is scheduled.

Other:

• Additional angles and closeups of B11 recovery at sea. (Joe Tegtmeyer)
• NOTAM are posted for IFT-5 Ship reentry in Indian Ocean. (RGV Aerial)

Starbase activities (2024-10-05):

• Oct 4th cryo delivery update.
• Oct 4th addenda: NSF timelapse of B14 methane tank cryo test at Massey's. NSF timelapse of chopstick testing with water bags.
• Pad A: Overnight, hot stage ring is restacked on B12. (LabPadre)
• Water bags are removed from the chopsticks. (ViX)
• S30 flaps are deployed, ship is positioned between chopsticks, and stabilizer pins are deployed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, LabPadre, ViX 3, Hammer (closeups))
• S30 is restacked on B12. (NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, NSF full livestream)
• Massey's: B14 performs another cryo test, filling the LOX tank this time. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Rocket Ranch full livestream)
• Brownsville Port: HOS Ridgewind arrives, presumably with another load of salvaged B11 hardware. (Cornwell)

Starbase activities (2024-10-19):

• Methane deliveries: 3 on Oct 18th, 14 total since IFT-5.
• LR11000 crane is lowered and raised. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad A: Raining on the on launch mount. (ViX)
• Cable tray belt/chain moves towards Tower B. (ViX)
• Heatshield work continues on S31. (Doherty, NSF)

Maritime:

• HOS Ridgewind is 10 km offshore from Starbase, likely for B12 hotstage ring recovery. (Cornwell 1, Cornwell 2, Hayden)

Starbase activities (2024-10-15):

• Oct 14th addendum: First section of B16 is spotted at Starfactory. (ViX)
• Pad A: Overnight, booster transport stand moves toward launch mount. (ViX)
• Booster quick disconnect retracts, chopstick stabilizer pins engage. (LabPadre, ViX)
• B12 is lifted from the launch mount onto the transport stand. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Priel, Evans 1, Evans 2 (pi engine), Evans 3 (pi engine closeup), NSF, clwphoto1)
• B12 moves from the launch site to the build site. (ViX, LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Priel, Evans 1, Evans 2, NSF livestream, NSF 1, NSF 2 (chine closeup), NSF 3, NSF 4, Mary, Beyer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (chine damage), Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler 4, Doherty, Gomez 1, Gomez 2. clwphoto1, Fediverse Starbase Tracker 1, Fediverse Starbase Tracker 2)
• Crews back at the launch mount and chopsticks. (Gisler 1 (B12, not B11), Gisler 2)
• The Raptor work platform moves to the Pad A launch mount. (ViX)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane's derrick is raised (ViX). Contract until January (Gisler)
• Build site: Ship 30's transport stand returns to the rocket garden. (ViX)
• Following Pez dispenser integration with S34, the Pez jig moves from Megabay 2 towards Starfactory. (ViX)
• B12 enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• B16's common dome and A2 sections move from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (ViX)
• S33 nosecone in Megabay 2 (Space Sudoer). Elon comments on new flap design.
• Sanchez activities. (Gisler)

Starbase activities (2024-10-16):

• Oct 15th methane delivery tally: 5
• Pad A: Overnight, crews back at the launch mount and chopsticks. (LabPadre, ViX, clwphoto1)
• Workers back on ship quick disconnect. (clwphoto1)
• Pad B: The LR11000 crane rises. (ViX)
• Build site video tour.
• RGV Aerial post a photo of S31 in the Highbay.

IFT-5:

• More photos from SpaceX.
• Landing burn slowmo from Cosmic Perspective.
• Landing as viewed from helicopter. (Doug Kelly)
• Post-catch RGV Aerial flyover photo.

Maritime:

• Expedition is still working offshore, likely to locate the hotstage ring impact site and look for species impacts. Map from TheSpaceEngineer.

Other:

• Ship catch scheduled for "hopefully early next year", Elon Time.
• Elon on aspirational marginal cost per ton: "Full & immediate (no mandatory refurbishment) reusability with low cost propellant (almost 80% liquid oxygen, no helium pressurant) will mean a marginal cost per ton ~100 times better than Falcon, which is already >10 times better than the Shuttle."
• Brief video from the top floor of Megabay 2. (Steve Jurvetson)

Starbase activities (2024-10-13):

• Busy day for some reason.
• Overnight, pad is cleared. (LabPadre)
• Chopsticks open up and landing rails are deployed. (LabPadre)
• Tank farm spools up. (ViX)
• A helicopter briefly lands at the road closure. (ViX)
• Starbase village is evacuated. (ViX)
• Surrounding waters are evacuated. (Cornwell 1, Cornwell 2)
• NASA WB-57 plane is in position. (Manley)
• Launch mount and tower venting, followed by propellant load. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Evans, NSF)
• Frost lines on B12 and S30. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• A few wayward boats push T-0 from 08:00 to 08:25. (Cornwell 1, Cornwell 2, Summer Wise)
• IFT-5 occurs. B12 returns to launch site and is caught by the chopsticks at Tower A. S30 survives reentry and landing burn for an on-target splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
• Minor burn-through on one flap, but a marked improvement over IFT-4. (TankWatchers)
• Minor damage on a chine is spotted. (Interstellar Gateway, Tibininin)
• Residual propellant / frost. (Golden)
• Chopstick conveyor belts move B12 outwards. (Golden)
• B12 is lowered back down onto the launch mount, despite the absence of stabilizer pins. Booster quick disconnect connects. (Golden, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, Priel, )
• B12 is refilled with a small load of cryogens? (LabPadre)
• Booster stand pending rollout to the launch site. (LabPadre, ViX, Fediverse Starbase Tracker)
• Party observed in the high bay. (NSF)
• Elon report on B12 health: "A few outer engine nozzles are warped from heating & some other minor issues, but these are easily addressed."
• Flight-proven raptor engines to be sent to McGregor, confirmed by Elon.
• Road closure is amended to include the period from Oct 13th 14:00 to Oct 14th 14:00. (ViX 1, ViX 2)

IFT-5:

• Launch: SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, Priel, Evans 1, Evans 2, Beyer, Cosmic Perspective, RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2
• Catch: SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2 (slowmo), LabPadre, SpaceX 3, Space Sudoer 1, Space Sudoer 2, ViX, Starship Gazer, Mary, Evans 1, Evans 2, Evans 3, Evans 4, Beyer, D Wise, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, Reed, Golden, Elon 1, Elon 2, Kimbal, RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2, RGV Aerial 3, RGV Aerial 4, RGV Aerial 5, Cosmo_556, Kraus 1, Kraus 2, John William Cargile, Beff, Austin Barnard, Cosmic Perspective, John Pisani, clwphoto1, EverydayAstronaut, Redline Helicopter Tours
• Reentry and splashdown: SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Berger, Cornwell 1, Cornwell 2
• Miscellaneous: SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2, SpaceX 3, Gomez, Kraus

Starbase activities (2024-10-20):

• Methane deliveries: 3 on Oct 19th, 17 total since IFT-5.
• The LR11000 rises. (ViX)
• Cable tray belt/chain is installed on Tower B. (ViX, Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
• Booster transport stand moves from Sanchez to build site. (ViX)

Starbase activities (2024-10-21):

• Methane deliveries: 3 on Oct 20th, 20 total since IFT-5.
• Build site: S34 common dome moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
• A ship flap is delivered. (ViX)
• Booster transport stand enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• B13 is lifted onto transport stand. (ViX)
• Pad A: Announcements for "booster QD blowdown", expect "loud venting" and "extremely loud venting". (ViX)
• One of the new recondensers is lifted into position. (ViX)
• Pad B launch mount renders Lewis Knaggs. (Tweet 1, tweet 2)
• 1-hour road delays are posted for Oct 22nd (12:00 to 15:00) and 23rd (00:00 and 03:00) for transport from factory to pad.
• Road closure is posted for Oct 23rd (18:00 to 00:00) for non-flight testing activities.

Other:

• But what if Starship hits a shark or a whale?

Starbase activities (2024-10-22):

• Methane deliveries: 3 on Oct 21st, 23 total since IFT-5.
• Oct 21 addendum: S31 heatshield closeups video. (Starship Gazer)
• B13 emerges from Megabay 1, and performs a grid fin wiggle test. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Gisler, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF livestream)
• B13 rolls out to Pad A, and is lifted onto the launch mount. (SpaceX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, cnunez, Doherty, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Mary, Starship Gazer, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2, Ramirez 3, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Priel, NSF livestream, LabPadre)
• Pad B: Flame trench construction continues. (Gisler)
• Starfactory: Awning is installed on the main door, and window installation begins on the passage between Starfactory and offices. (Hammer, Gisler)
• Sanchez: GMK 7550 is deployed behind the fence, presumably assembling launch mount B. (Gisler)
• Road closures are posted for Oct 24th and 25th (08:00 to 20:00) for non-flight testing activities. Oct 24th closure is scheduled.

Maritime:

• HOS Ridgewind heads back out to sea and recovers B12's hotstage ring. (Cornwell 1, NSF, Starship Gazer, Priel, Cornwell 2, Cornwell 3)

Starbase activities (2024-10-06):

• Oct 5th cryo delivery update.
• Pad A: Overnight, S30 is restacked on B12. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Gisler, Hammer 1, Hammer 2)
• Chopstick testing equipment leaves the launch site. (ViX)
• Build site: Water-cooled "top deck pancake" plates for the new launch mount are delivered. (Mary/NSF, ViX)
• A large launch mount piece is delivered. (Starship Gazer, Beyer)
• Golden concludes that the launch mount will still have 20 hold-down clamps, but no raptor quick disconnects.
• Brownsville Port: Salvaged aft dome from B11 is offloaded and transported. (Beyer 1, Beyer 2, Gomez)
• Summary of recent B14 cryo tests. (Priel, cnunez)

Starbase activities (2024-10-23):

• Oct 22nd cryo delivery tally.
• Oct 22nd addenda: ViX and Priel timelapses of B13 lift, Ramirez photo.
• Overnight, chopsticks open, raise, translate, and lower. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Scaffolding removal begins on launch mount A. (ViX, Hammer)
• Evening road closure has a late start due to cryo deliveries and Movac trucks emptying the retention pond. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Roger S)
• RGV Aerial post a recent photo of S31 in the Highbay.

Maritime:

• Starship Gazer posts 4k video of hotstage ring recovery on Oct 22nd.
• HOS Ridgewind returns to Port Fourchon. (Cornwell)

McGregor:

• Busy afternoon with two multiple firings tests of Raptor: 5 consecutive firings, followed by a test consisting of a record of 34 consecutive firings. (Priel, Prehis2oricman)

Other:

• Elon: "Starship will lengthen in the next few years. 10 years from now, there will probably be a much wider diameter Starship too."

Starbase activities (2024-10-24):

• Oct 23rd cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Overnight, the raptor work platform is lowered and moved away from launch mount A. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• B13 venting is observed, the detonation suppression system is tested, and engine gimbaling is observed.
• Early morning photo from cnunez.
• Raptor work platform is raised, and overpressure notice is issued. (ViX, Mary)
• Cryo deliveries and retention pond water removal continue. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Transport stand arrives to pick up the raptor work platform., and moves it away from the launch mount
• Chopsticks raise and open. (LabPadre, ViX)
• Oct 24th road closure is extended from 20:00 to 23:00.
• B13 propellant load begins. Non-subcooled at first, then subcooled. (NSF 1, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, NSF 2)
• B13 performs a static fire. (NSF livestream, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, NSF, Golden, Doherty 1, Doherty 2, Doherty 3, Gomez)
• Build site: Launch mount B construction continues. (ViX)
• Current photo of S32 from cnunez.
• 1-hour road delays are posted for Oct 25th (22:00 to 00:00) and 26th (12:00 and 15:00) for transport from pad to factory.
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Oct 26th (00:30 to 03:30) and 27th (00:00 and 03:00) for transport from factory to Massey's.

McGregor:

• "Another day, another multi firing test of a Raptor engine, this time 12 firings in around 3 minutes." (Priel)

Starbase activities (2024-10-09):

• Oct 8th cryo delivery update.
• Pad A: B12 flight termination system is installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• S30 flight termination system is installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Tank Watchers, Evans)
• New test tiles spotted on the port side of S30. (Starship Gazer)
• Chopsticks are tested. (NSF)
• Pad B: CC8800-1 crane disassembly continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler)
• Build site: Parking garage cladding is revealed to be a mural. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Gisler, Hammer)
• Massey's: Test tank 16 is lifted out of the test stand. (Gisler)
• 2-hour road delay is posted for Oct 11th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Massey’s to factory.

IFT-5:

• Oct 13th 00:00 to 14:00 road closure is scheduled.
• Temporary flight restrictions are posted.
• Isla Blanca County Park and boat ramp will close one hour earlier on Saturday, Oct 12th.

Other:

• Launch mount B render is posted by ChromeKiwi.
• Foust highlights comment by Bill Gerstenmaier (SpaceX VP of build and flight reliability), who stated B11 landed in the ocean "with half a centimeter accuracy". What this was measured with respect to is unclear. (Military GPS?)

Starbase activities (2024-10-14):

• Oct 13th addendum: Party in Megabay 2. (ViX)
• Oct 14th road closure concluded.
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Oct 15th (12:00 to 15:00) and 16th (00:00 and 03:00) for transport from pad to factory.
• Pad A: Booster transport stand finally arrives at the pad after an apparent delay the previous day. (ViX, NSF, Fediverse Starbase Tracker)
• Workers return to Pad A, and get to work removing the (unused) flight termination charges. (ViX, Starship Gazer, NSF)
• Workers inspect damaged chine on B12. (Starship Gazer)
• Coloured oxide layer visible at the top of B12. (Starship Gazer)
• Raptor work platform arrives. (Hammer)
• Build site: Parking garage mural closeup. (Gisler)
• S34 forward dome spotted in the doorway of Megabay 2. (Gisler)

Other:

• Elon on advantages of tower catch over landing legs: Tweet 1, tweet 2.
• "Good chance" of full stack reuse in 2025 (Elon Time).

IFT-5:

• Additional liftoff media: SpaceX wide shot, SpaceX tower view (liftoff), Evans hotstage ring, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, Pauline Acalin, Sen (view from ISS).
• Additional landing media: SpaceX wide shot, SpaceX onboard load point closeup, SpaceX tower view 1, SpaceX tower view 2, (https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1845977050592723312), Elon, Evans, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, cnunez 5, RGV Aerial, Kennedy, Beil, Schlang, Nathan Moeller, Kraus, Doherty.
• Launch and landing media: [SpaceX], D Wise, Elon, Jay L. DeShetler, Richard P Gallagher.
• Post-launch media: Starship Gazer B12, Starship Gazer miscellaneous, Starship Gazer B12 again, Mary B12, Evans B12, Gisler B12, Gisler chine closeup, Golden B12, RGV Aerial B12,
• Grid fin comparison gif from Anderson, highlighting slight warping.

Starbase activities (2024-10-12):

• Oct 12th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: Overnight, the CC8800-1 crane back mast and main body are relocated away from Pad A. (ViX)
• LR11000 and CC8800-1 cranes are laid down. (ViX)
• Pad A: Workers are spotted inside B12. (Starship Gazer)
• A couple of igniter tests are conducted. (LabPadre)
• S30 flaps are tested. (ViX)
• Drones are spotted around the pad. (ViX)
• B12 grid fins are tested. (ViX)
• Build site: S34 forward dome emerges from Starfactory and enters Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Car park mural reveal is completed. (ViX, Mary, Daniel B)
• Oct 13th cryo delivery tally. Likely the final regular update of this type: (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4)

IFT-5:

• Ringwatchers post an article summarizing the history of S30 and B12.
• Lueders confirms vehicle is ready.
• FAA close out the written reevaluation of the 2022 PEA for Flight 5. Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera twitter thread: Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5, tweet 6, tweet 7, tweet 8, tweet 9, tweet 10
• IFT-5 is added to the FAA ATC Planning Advisory. (Alexphysics13)
• FAA issue the launch license. (FAA, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, NSF, Beil)
• License includes approval for flight 6 mission profile. (Beil)
• SpaceX confirm IFT-5 target launch date and time of 2024-10-13 07:00 CT, 30 minute window. (12:00 UTC)

Other:

• The cost of the Starship development program is ~4 million $ per day. (Zhan, via this PDF)
• SpaceX releases Starship, The Game.

Starbase activities (2024-10-18):

• Oct 17th addendum: Booster stabilization pins are reinstalled on launch mount A. (ViX)
• Methane deliveries: 3 on Oct 17th, 11 total since IFT-5.
• Pad A: Chopsticks bumpers sustained a few minor scratches during the B12 catch. Workers observed at the chopsticks hinge/carriage. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler 5, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, cnunez)
• Chopsticks are closed and lowered. (ViX)
• Two new subcoolers and the Tower B cable tray belt/chain roll from Sanchez to the launch site. (ViX, NSF)
• Build site: Ship lifting jig was assembled overnight in Megabay 2, then lifted and lowered. (ViX)
• Recent photo of S31 in Highbay. (cnunez)
• Test Tank 16 emerges from Starfactory and heads towards the Rocket Garden / Sanchez area. (ViX)
• 1-hour road delays are posted for Oct 21st (12:00 to 15:00) and 22nd (00:00 and 03:00) for transport from factory to pad. These are currently crossed out on the main page, so it possible that these have been cancelled.

IFT-5:

• SpaceX buoy video of S30 landing and splashdown. Sir_Benedict_S syncs the onboard and buoy angles.
• Cosmic Perspective slowmo video of B12 reentry shockwaves.

Really looking forward to tomorrow! I'll set my expectations low and think that they won't attempt a catch, so that I can be pleasantly surprised if it happens. Also, I hope the work on the ship's TPS will be enough to avoid any burn-through this time!

Starbase activities (2024-10-07):

• Oct 6th cryo delivery update.
• Overnight, B14 moves from Massey's to Megabay 1. (Priel, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Booster stand moves from Megabay 1 to Sanchez. (ViX)
• Pad A: B12 and S30 perform another cryo test. Highway is cleared, road is closed. Crews briefly return to the pad to troubleshoot an issue with the FireX pressure relief system. Chopsticks open and landing rails are raised. Tank farm venting, followed by launch mount and tower venting, followed by cryo load on ship (ViX, NSF) and booster (ViX, NSF) tanks. Partial cryo load, then detanking.
• LabPadre timelapse, NSF timelapse, LabPadre full livestream, NSF full livestream.
• Oct 7th road closure scheduled and concluded, Oct 8th and 9th closures revoked, hopefully indicating a successful test.
• Following road reopening, cryo deliveries resume. (ViX, Gomez)
• Sanchez: Construction of launch mount B continues. (ViX)

IFT-5:

• SpaceX announces IFT-5 is NET Oct 13, "pending regulatory approval". (Tweet, website, archive)
• Davenport highlights that the booster catch attempt is contingent on "healthy systems on the booster and tower and a manual command from the mission’s Flight Director".

Starbase activities (2024-10-08):

• Oct 7th cryo delivery update.

• Pad A: Deluge tests overnight, seemingly rehearsing for launch and landing. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, Beyer)

• S30 is destacked from B12. Ship quick disconnect retracts (ViX, NSF), arm retracts, ship is destacked (ViX, LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2), arm extends, chopsticks open and lower (ViX, LabPadre), and ship moves off to one side. NSF timelapse.

• Stack/destack photos: Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Starship Gazer 4, Starship Gazer 5 (engine bay closeup), Starship Gazer 6 (ship closeup), Gisler 1, Gisler 2.

• Possible (unconfirmed) flight termination system installation on S30. (cnunez)

• Build site: S34 nosecone moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (LabPadre, NSF)

• Two more large launch mount pieces are delivered. (ViX, Beyer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)

• RGV Aerial photos,

• Mockup diagrams of launch mount B. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)

• Car park cladding layer nearly completed. (Gisler)

McGregor:

• Some of B11's recovered engines have been spotted, further test fires unlikely. (NSF 1, NSF 2)

IFT-5:

• Road closures for “flight testing” are posted for Oct 13th, 14th, and 15th, from 00:00 to 14:00. (And in the alternative, Sep 24th or 25th, likely erroneous)
• Davenport: FAA approval by Sunday is possible, but not a certainty.
• Beil: Latest FAA statement to NSF does not mention "late November", and instead states "once SpaceX has met all licensing requirements."
• Berger: Surface-level weather forecast for Sunday looks good.

Starbase activities (2024-10-11):

• Oct 10th cryo delivery update.
• Pad A: Crews close up flight termination system boxes on B12. (ViX)
• S30 is restacked on B12. (ViX 1, ViX 2, LabPadre, DeffGeff, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Starship Gazer 4, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, Mary, Evans 1, Evans 2, Kraus, Cosmic Perspective, Hammer, clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2)
• Ship transport stand is removed from launch complex. (ViX)
• LR11000 crane is on the move, likely pending lie down prior to IFT-5. (ViX)
• Additional cladding is installed on Tower A. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Anderson / Starship Gazer)
• Build site: Test tank 16 moves from Massey's to Starfactory. (ViX)
• Car park mural reveal continues. (ViX)
• Bridge crane parts arrive at Starfactory. (ViX)
• RGV Aerial post photos from their previous flyover: Pad A, Pad B

IFT-5:

• SpaceX post photos, and state that they "expect regulatory approval in time to fly on October 13".
• Davenport and Berger corroborate.
• "Booster Integration Team is ready for a RTLS", per Alijah Bailey, Supervisor, Build - Booster Integration at SpaceX.
• Tim Dodd posts How SpaceX Plans To CATCH A Rocket From Space!.
• Ryan Hansen Space posts How SpaceX Will Catch Super Heavy | Explained.

Starbase activities (2024-10-17):

• Methane deliveries: 3 on Oct 16th, 8 total since IFT-5.
• Pad A: Chopsticks rise a little, open wide and lower. (ViX)
• Pad B: One of the CC8800-1 crane boom sections departs Starbase. (ViX)
• Build site: Dome briefly spotted outside Starfactory. (ViX)
• Cable chain for Tower B is loaded onto transport. (ViX)
• Assembly of... something (lifting jig) commences in Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2)

IFT-5:

• Gisler video of launch, flight, and landing. (Full video on YouTube)
• Cosmic Perspective photo of pressure waves during reentry.
• LabPadre highlights B12 swing oscillation immediately after landing.
• NSF compilation highlights water deluge activity during landing.
• Hammer photo.
• Interstellar Gateway spherical video.
• Video from Mexico. (Waa Sop)

Maritime:

• HOS Ridgewind is en route to Brownsville to pick up divers. (Cornwell 1, Cornwell 2)

Other:

• RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of B12 catch and Pad B flame trench.
• Sean Takacs (Booster Build Supervisor) comments on B12 aft build quality: "B12 was my first full Aft build after moving from the FWD/CMN line. We focused deeply on quality and workmanship, resuling in the lowest defect and lowest leak rate assembly at the time by many factors."

Starbase activities (2024-10-10):

• Oct 9th cryo and water delivery updates.
• Pad A: Chopsticks tests overnight. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3)
• S30 moves between the chopsticks. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF, Gisler, cnunez, Kraus)
• Multiple cameras mounted on tower A. (ViX)
• Raptor access platform departs from the launch site. (ViX)
• Pad B: CC8800-1 disassembly continues. (ViX)
• New 'murican flag on Tower B. (LabPadre, ViX, Gisler)
• Build site: Garage mural reveal continues. (ViX, LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Mary, Gisler)
• Slight aurora visible at Starbase. (Evans 1, Evans 2)

IFT-5:

• Cameron County post sonic boom safety information on their SpaceX page.
• BingoBoca publishes summary of changes and infographic.
• Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB)/ Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR) has been posted.
• A fast crew boat which supported offshore operations for IFT-1 and IFT-2 (not used on 3 & 4) is en-route to Starbase. (Cornwell)

Other:

• SpaceX clarifies that the water-cooled flame deflector uses potable water, and calls out the related lawsuit as "unwarranted and frivolous".

Starbase activities (2024-10-25):

• Oct 24th addenda: NSF timelapse of B13 static fire testing. Following static fire, ship quick disconnect retracts, chopsticks lower and close B13, booster transport stand and raptor work platform return to Pad A. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Oct 25th road closure is revoked.
• Crew-8 streaks through the sky over the Gulf of Mexico. (LabPadre, NSF)
• Launch site: Raptor work platform is raised up under launch mount A. (ViX)
• Booster quick disconnect retracts from B13. (ViX)
• Booster stabilization pin retracts, and B13 is lifted onto the transport stand. (cnunez, Gisler, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• Cones are deployed for B13 rollback. (ViX)
• B13 rolls back to Megabay 1. (NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Roger S, Gomez, Ramirez)
• Build site: Overnight, the Starlink Pez loader is moved to Sanchez. (ViX)
• Ship thrust simulator arrives at and enters Megabay 2.
• Construction continues on the chopsticks carriage for Tower B. (Gisler)
• S33 (first v2 ship) prepares for rollout to Massey's. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF, Hammer)
• S34 first LOX section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)

IFT-5/IFT-6:

• Elon shares Diablo gameplay... accompanied by audio of a conference call with Booster engineers. Landing burn came one second away from aborting due to an insufficient pressure reading from a sensor. The chine cover which blew off also exposed several single-point-failure valves. Flight 6 timeline will be dictated by "a reasonable balance of speed, and risk mitigation on the booster".