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Starship Development Thread October 2024

Starbase activities (2024-09-30):

• Sep 29th cryo delivery update. (clarification)
• Pad A: Ship quick disconnect retracts from S30 (ViX, NSF), work platform deploys and ship ports are sealed, and work platform retracts.
• Ship quick disconnect arm retracts (ViX, NSF), and S30 is destacked from B12. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Beyer, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• S30 not "ready-to-roll". Purpose of destack is potentially for B12 access. (ViX)
• Load spreader arrives, the LR11000 crane rolls towards the launch mount, the load spreader is attached, and the hot stage ring is destacked from B12.
• Pad B: Safety netting removal begins. (ViX)
• Build site: More launch mount parts are delivered. (Beyer)
• Construction on passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Scaffolding has been erected around the chopsticks carriage destined for Pad B. (Gisler)
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Oct 2nd and 3rd between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from factory to Massey's.

McGregor:

• The longest duration Raptor engine test (897 seconds, ~15 minutes) is performed. (NSF)
• Previous record was 330 seconds, set on 2023-06-04.

Starbase activities (2024-09-29):

• Pad A: S30 still stacked on B12, still not launching yet. (Beyer, LabPadre, Ansuini, clwphoto1)
• S30 transport stand moves towards the launch mount. (ViX)
• Build site: New road markings are painted. (ViX)
• Second set of chopsticks are receiving the same reinforcements as the first set. (Anderson)
• S32, S26, and S20 are still in the Rocket Garden. (cnunez)
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of Sanchez, Massey's, launch site, B11 aft section, and Pad B flame trench construction.

Maritime:

• HOS Ridgewind is back at the B11 splashdown site. (Cornwell)

Other:

• Lewis Knaggs speculative renders of Pad B launch mount. Zack Golden's thoughts.

Starbase activities (2024-09-28):

• Pad A: S30 still stacked on B12, not launching. (Gisler, cnunez, clwphoto1)
• S30 missing a couple tiles. Possibly intentional like last time? (Gisler)
• S32 moves from the Rocket Garden. (Gisler)
• Work on the passage between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler, BocasBrain)
• Build site wide shot. (Gisler)

Maritime:

• Hos Ridgewind heads back out into the Gulf. (Cornwell)

Starbase activities (2024-09-27):

• Not too much action reported today.
• Overnight, the recovered B11 aft section is transported to Massey's. (Starship Gazer, Gisler, RGV Aerial (flyover closeups!))
• Pad A: Third consecutive daily photo from SpaceX of B11/S30 not launching.

Other:

• SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell addresses the Texas House of Representatives. She highlights the investment SpaceX have put into their Texas sites and surrounding communities, stresses the importance of enhancing regulatory efficiency, and recommends "updating legislation and regulations in the state to protect individuals and the public from potential hazards associated with launch while allowing freedom and flexibility for us to continue operations safely and efficiently". She also clarifies that SpaceX have a good relationship with TCEQ, and that most of the regulatory issues they are encountering are at the federal level. (xdNiBoR)

Starbase activities (2024-09-26):

• Overnight, B11 remains are offloaded from Hos Ridgewind, and transported to Massey's. (Beyer 1, Beyer 2, Beyer 3, Carson Phillips, Hammer)
• Sanchez: SpaceX begins lifting possible Pad B OLM hardware. (Beyer)
• Pad A: Chopsticks close around S30, 'murican flag is flown from tower. (Starship Gazer, NSF, Hammer, SpaceX official)
• Road delay is posted for Sep 27th from 00:00 to 03:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Massey’s.

Other:

• Why not salvage B10 in addition to B11? Probably too deep, 800 meters vs. 61 meters. (Golden)

Starbase activities (2024-09-25):

• B12 and S30 are still stacked at Pad A. (Starship Gazer)
• Booster alignment pins are removed. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
• SpaceX post a photo of technicians posing on the chopsticks. (alternate angle from Hammer)
• HOS Ridgewind arrives at Brownsville port. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, Beyer 1, Beyer 2, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, interstellargw, Jordan Guidry, Hammer)
• Roof of the passage between Starfactory and the new offices looks complete now. (Gisler)
• Road delay is posted for Sep 25th between 22:00 and 02:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to Massey's. (Offloading B11 remains?)

McGregor:

• Raptor tests continue. (NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-09-24):

• Mary spots some more potential hardware for Pad B launch mount. Zack Golden's thoughts: Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3.
• S34 is back in Starfactory. (cnunez)
• Roof of the passage between Starfactory and the new offices is mostly complete. (Gisler)
• B12 and S30 still looking beautiful. (LabPadre, Gisler, Doherty 1, Doherty 2, clwphoto1, )
• Chines have a slightly wrinkled appearance.

FAA:

• SpaceX Global Government Affairs refutes comments made in Congress by the administrator of the FAA.

Maritime:

• HOS Ridgewind departs after a brief stop in Altamira, Mexico, and is now heading for Brownsville, likely to delivery the recovered portions of B11.

Starbase activities (2024-09-23):

• Main event: Partial tanking test on B12 and S30. (NSF full livestream, LabPadre full livestream, NSF timelapse)
• Road is closed (NSF), tower vent (NSF), propellant loading (NSF), depress vent. (NSF), detanking (NSF, LabPadre).
• SpaceX tweet: "Propellant load test and preflight checkouts complete ahead of Flight 5"
• Sep 23rd closure is concluded, and the Sep 24th and 25th closures are cancelled.
• S30 thermal protection system looks very clean. (NSF closeup)
• Build site: S34 nosecone and payload bay, now stacked, move from Highbay to Starfactory. (NSF, Planatus666)

Starbase activities (2024-09-22):

• Sep 21st addenda: Starship Gazer timelapse of S30 stacking on B12. RGV Aerial photo 1 and photo 2 of stacking. NSF timelapse comparison of all six stackings so far.
• Not too much Starbase activity reported on Sep 22nd.
• Recent RGV Aerial photos of the launch site, Massey's, Pad B flame trench construction, and build site.
• Road "clossure" still in place for Sep 23rd from 08:00 to 20:00 for non-flight testing activities. (Wet dress rehearsal)

Maritime activities:

• Elon posts a photo of B11 remains from IFT-4.
• Gisler photo of the vessel (Hos Ridgewind), Interstellar Gateway video on the recovery operations and satellite photos.
• Zack spots some potential filter mounting brackets.

Starbase activities (2024-09-21):

• Overnight, hotstage ring is stacked on B12. (Hammer, NSF timelapse)
• S30 is stacked on B12. (NSF full livestream, Starship Gazer, Mary, cnunez, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF timelapse, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler timelapse, Doherty 1, Doherty 2, Hammer closeup 1, Hammer closeup 2, RGV Aerial, Beyer, SpaceX official photos)
• Ship quick disconnect is tested. (NSF)
• Recent photo of S35 in Starfactory. (cnunez)

Starbase activities (2024-09-20):

• Another busy day!
• Overnight, B12 and (separately) hotstage ring roll out to Pad A. (NSF full livestream, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF timelapse, Ramirez, Hammer 1, Hammer 2, Hammer 3)
• Also overnight, S31 rolls from Massey's to Megabay 2. (NSF, Gomez, Hammer)
• S31 is transferred from static fire stand to SPMTs and moves to Highbay. (Ramirez, cnunez, Planatus666)
• S34 nosecone is stacked on its payload bay. (Planatus666)
• B12 is lifted onto the launch mount. (Starship Gazer, cnunez wide, cnunez closeup, Doherty, Hammer 1, Hammer 2, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2, NSF 1, Ramirez 3, Ramirez 4, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF timelapse)
• SpaceX official photos
• During the lift, the chopsticks are raised to the top of the tower (expected catch height). The extra high lift may have been some form of structural verification test. (Zack Golden)
• S30 rolls out to Pad A as well. (NSF full livestream, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF timelapse, Beyer, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2)
• SpaceX official photos
• S30 rolls close to the launch mount. (NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-09-19):

• Sep 18th addendum: S31 static fire (Gomez).
• Busy Sep 19th.
• Pad A: Chopsticks have received a coat of primer zebra-stripes, and are tested. (Gisler, Ramirez, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Hammer)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane rises. (Gisler)
• Starhopper's weather station is removed. (Gisler)
• Build site: S34 moves into the Highbay. (Starship Gazer, NSF, Planatus666)
• B12 emerges from the Megabay with some new stringers. (Ramirez, Booster_13soon, Starship Gazer, NSF)
• Some work is done on B12's quick disconnect ahead of rollout. (Hammer)
• Potential parts for the new orbital launch mount are delivered. (NSF, Ramirez)
• RGV Aerial post recent photo of S31 at Massey's and comparison photo of Pad A and Pad B construction.
• Amended road delay (2-hour) is posted for Sep 20 between 00:00 and 04:30. Likely for B12 rollout (NSF livestream)
• Road "clossures" are posted for Sep 23rd, 24th, and 25th from 08:00 to 20:00 for non-flight testing activities.

McGregor:

• An 84-second Raptor test fire is observed, likely Raptor 3. (NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-09-18):

• Sanchez: Tower B ship quick disconnect arm hinge arrives. (Starship Gazer, Beyer, Hammer 1, Hammer 2)
• Massey's: S31 static fire. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Beyer, Mary, NSF, Hammer, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, SpaceX, House, full NSF livestream)
• Starhopper work continues.
• 1-hour road delay is posted for Sep 20 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Production to pad.

Starbase activities (2024-09-17):

• Gisler posts Starfactory photos from the last night: Nosecone, doors.
• Starhopper outer layer is being removed. (cnunez (before), NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Marcus House, Gisler, Ramirez)
• RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of launch site.
• S33 right aft flap is lifted into Megabay 2 for installation on ship. (Thanks, u/Planatus666)
• B12 hot stage ring is removed. (Thanks, u/Planatus666)

Other:

• Zack and ChromeKiwi further speculate on new launch mount designs. (Golden, Killip 1, Killip 2)
• Ryan Hansen speculates on whether S24 ignited its engines (IFT-1).
• mcrs987 notes that the vessel Hos Ridgewind might be attempting to recover portions of Booster 11 (IFT-4). (mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2, mcrs987 3, mcrs987 4, mcrs987 5, mcrs987 6, mcrs987 7)

Starbase activities (2024-09-16):

• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Hard stops are reinstalled (Anderson/LabPadre). Bumpers are extended (Hammer).
• Pad B: CC8800-1 crane reconfiguration continues. (Gisler)
• Build site: New entrance to Starfactory looks mostly completed. Roof work is coming along on the passage between Starfactory and offices. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Massey's: S31 cryo testing continues, still no static fire.
• Road delays for Sep 17th and 18th appear to have been cancelled.

Starbase activities (2024-09-15):

• Quiet Sunday, not much action reported.
• Overnight, the first of S33's aft flaps enter Megabay 2. (reported by u/Planatus666, ~~no archivable link of this action available~~ Planatus666 1, Planatus666 2)
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Landing rails were tested.
• Zack Golden speculates on the possibility of a mobile launch mount for Pad B. (Golden 1, Golden 2, Golden 3, Golden 4)
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of the build site, Pad A (chopsticks work), launch site, and Pad B and its flame trench.

Starbase activities (2024-09-14):

• Quiet Saturday, not much action reported.
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues.
• Massey's: S31 testing continues, no static fire yet.
• RGV Aerial Photography completed a flyover.

Starbase activities (2024-09-13):

• Sep 12th cryo delivery update.
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues.
• Pad B: Commodity pipes are installed at the tower base.
• Build site: Megabay 2 window washing. Starfactory door installation completed.
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Sep 17th and 18th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Massey’s to production pad.

Starbase activities (2024-09-12):

• Sep 11th cryo delivery update.
• A gecko was spotted overnight.
• Quiet Sep 12th, not much action reported.
• Build site: Work on Starfactory door continues.
• Nice photos posted of Starhopper at her new home. (Mary, RGV Aerial)

Other:

• ChromeKiwi posts a render of the possible layout for the pedestals which were delivered the previous day.

Starbase activities (2024-09-11):

• Sep 10th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. (Starship Gazer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Pad B: Reconfiguration of the CC8800-1 crane continues. (ViX, Gisler)
• Office construction continues, nearly connected to Starfactory.
• Build site: Glass panels are installed on Starfactory door.
• A couple of pedestals are delivered.
• Rocket Garden: Crew lift observed at S30.
• Massey's: S31 at the flame trench. Work continues on Test Tank 16.

Other:

• FAA confirms November timeline for IFT-5. (NASASpaceFlight)

Starbase activities (2024-09-10):

• Sep 9th cryo delivery tally.
• Sep 9th addendum: Timelapse of Test Tank 16 cryo test. (LabPadre)
• The wet continues. (LabPadre, Gomez)
• Workers begin reconfiguring the CC8800-1 crane. (ViX)

Other:

• SpaceX complains about regulatory hurdles. (full post is worth a read for context and details)
• A scale model was tested in a transonic wind tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center.

Starbase activities (2024-09-09):

• Sep 8th cryo delivery update.
• Sep 9th is a wet day at Starbase. (Gomez, Cooper_Hime, Garza)
• Build site video tour, including an interesting delivery, plausibly an HLS airlock prototype article. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, TheSpaceEngineer 1, TheSpaceEngineer 2)
• Massey's: Test Tank 16 undergoes testing.

Starbase activities (2024-09-08):

• Sep 7th cryo delivery tally.
• Chopsticks work continues. A coat of "something" has been applied to both bumpers. (Hammer)
• Massey's: S31 begins cryo test, but aborts. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF)
• RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of the launch site, Massey's, and office construction.

Starbase activities (2024-09-07):

• Sep 6th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, lay down of CC8800-1 crane is completed.
• Quiet Saturday, no significant action is reported.

Other:

• Elon update on Mars timeline: Uncrewed Starship NET 2026, crewed Starship NET 2029, which is pretty much the most ambitious timeline possible. I wouldn't be surprised if the uncrewed tests slip by one transfer window, and I'm expecting the crewed missions to slip by at least a two or three transfer windows. I'm glad they're setting ambitious internal goals though.

Starbase activities (2024-09-06):

• No Sep 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Sep 5th addendum: Compilation timelapses of chopstick tests, including a full launch rehearsal from BQD retraction to chopsticks catch. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2) When the chopsticks are at the top of the tower, their momentum causes a noticeable amount of tower sway. (Anderson)
• Build site: Overnight, S31 moves to Massey's. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer photo, Starship Gazer video, NSF, NSF video, Beyer, Gisler, Doherty)
• Pad A: Chopsticks testing continues. Chopsticks close, landing rails rise, landing rails lower.
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane is laid down. (ViX, Hammer)
• Massey's: Crews were spotted at Test Tank 16. (Hammer)

Starbase activities (2024-09-05):

• Sep 4th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Overnight, ship test stand arrives at Megabay 2. Ship lifting jig enters Megabay 2 and is attached to bridge crane. (ViX)
• Counterweights are moved to the rear of the two SPMTs, which then transport S31 from Highbay to Megabay 2. Ship is then transferred from transport stand to test stand. (ViX 1 (Shadow is the black LTR1220), ViX 2, Starship Gazer, DeffGeff, cnunez, Gisler, Gisler (tile closeup), Hammer)
• Office and passageway construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Both ship lift pins are now installed. (ViX, Hammer)
• In the morning, chopsticks are raised.
• Simulated catch test. Ship quick disconnect swings away, chopsticks close. (LabPadre, ViX, Doherty)
• Landing rails are tested. (ViX)
• Additional chopstick testing. (ViX 1 (Shadow is the black LTR1220), ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, NSF 1, NSF 2, Anderson (compilation))
• Chopsticks are lowered. (ViX)
• Launch mount has been repainted. (Starship Gazer)
• Massey's: Frost is observed on Test Tank 16. (ViX)

Starbase activities (2024-09-04):

• Sep 3rd cryo delivery tally.
• Sep 3rd addendum: Starhopper relocation timelapse. (ViX)
• Overnight, chopstick rails are tested again. (ViX)
• Chopsticks work continues. (cnunez) Ship lifting pin is reinstalled on the port-side chopstick. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Starboard-side pin may have been reinstalled. (ViX)
• Welding on chopstick bumpers. (Hammer)
• Documentary interview being filmed on chopsticks? (Hammer)
• Starhopper's new home. (ViX)
• SPMTs arrive at the build site, likely for S31.
• 2-hour road delay is posted for 2024-09-06 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Megabay to Massey's.

Starbase activities (2024-09-03):

• Sep 2nd cryo delivery tally.
• Starhopper is relocated from launch site to parking lot. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2, Ramirez 3, Hammer, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF full livestream)
• Pad A: The LR11000 lifts and lowers scaffold basket. (ViX)
• Chopsticks work continues. Ship lifting pin arm is retracted. Landing rail and stick movement are tested.

Starbase activities (2024-09-02):

• Morning build site video tour.
• Chopsticks work continues. Ship lifting pins are tested. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2 (closeup), Hammer)
• Booster quick disconnect is tested. (ViX)
• RGV Aerial post another recent photo of Pad B construction.

Starbase activities (2024-09-01):

• Aug 30th addendum: B15 final forward section (part of the methane tank) moves to Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Chopsticks work continues. (cnunez)
• The full complement of 17 bumper pads on each chopstick has now been installed. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2)
• Scaffolding spotted on the exterior of Tower A. (clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2)
• Video tour of new hardware on Starhopper. (ViX)

Starbase activities (2024-08-31):

• Not too much action reported today.
• Chopsticks work continues. (NSF (lightning!))
• New attachments added onto Starhopper prior to potential relocation. (Mary, RGV Aerial, Hammer)
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of Test Tank 16 at Massey's, Rocket Garden (labelled), Pad A (chopsticks work), and Pad B (flame trench).

Other:

• New CSI Starbase episode: How To Prevent Raptors From Destroying Superheavy Pt.2

Starbase activities (2024-08-30):

• Aug 29th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 29th evening addendum: S33 is moved to the centre work stand in Megabay 2. (cnunez closeup)
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Construction of passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler)
• Partially tiled nosecone in Starfactory has been turned around. (Gisler)
• B15 final forward section still outside Megabay 1.
• Zack Golden's thoughts on the upcoming booster catch tests. (TL;DR: "be patient")
• 1 hour road delay is posted for 2024-09-04 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from pad to parking lot.

Starbase activities (2024-08-29):

• Aug 28th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 28th evening addendum: Pad A chopstick rails are raised and lowered.
• In the morning, a curved reinforcement piece is installed on the top of the starboard chopstick.
• The 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th bumper pads are installed on the port chopstick. Bumper #12 is lifted but then lowered.
• In the afternoon, further chopstick and rail movements are observed.
• Starship Gazer photo of chopsticks work.
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane rolls away from the tower.
• Build site video tour. A new doorway is cut in Starfactory (closeup), and plants have been planted along the highway.
• The final forward section of B15 moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1.
• Closeup of new load points on B14.1. (Hammer)

Starbase activities (2024-08-28):

• Aug 27th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 27th addendum: 4 more catch bumper pads are installed on the port-side chopstick, bringing the total to 5.
• Starkitty spotted :)
• Pad A chopsticks work continues. (NSF, Gisler)
• Pad B flame trench work continues. (Gisler)
• Office construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Nice photo of the Rocket Garden and Sanchez site, with S??, S32, S26, S30, B14.1. (Hammer)
• Test Tank 16 is in the "can crusher" testing apparatus at Massey's. (Gisler)

Starbase activities (2024-08-27):

• Aug 26th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, three gas tanks were replaced on the chopsticks at Pad A. (ViX)
• In the morning, the ship quick disconnect is tested. (ViX, Gisler (humans for scale))
• At Pad A, the first new catch bumper block is installed onto the port-side chopstick, then removed, then reinstalled.
• At Pad B, a skate rail plate is lifted and lowered, likely for a fit check. Also visible in the timelapse are several crew lifts over at the Pad A chopsticks. (clwphoto1)
• Office construction continues. (Gisler)
• ENNEPS posts a timelapse compilation of Tower B stacking.
• Also the 5th anniversary of Starhopper's 150 metre flight.

McGregor activities (2024-08-27):

• Starship V2 methane header tank is spotted at McGregor.

Starbase activities (2024-08-26):

• Aug 25th cryo delivery tally.
• Following the removal of gas tanks from the chopstick carriages at Sanchez and Pad A, the chopstick carriage at Pad A receives a replacement tank.
• Chopsticks work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Booster stand arm installation. (Hammer)
• Office construction continues (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Mostly tiled nosecone in Starfactory. (Gisler)
• The car park is filling up.
• Test Tank 16 is still at Massey's.

Other:

• Statement from the FAA to NSF regarding Starship Flight 5: "The FAA is evaluating SpaceX's proposed license modification for its Starship Flight h5 mission. SpaceX must meet all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements prior to FAA authorization. Safety will drive the timeline. Please contact SpaceX for information about the proposed changes to its license."
• Pad B flame trench excavation diagrams. (ChromeKiwi 1, ChromeKiwi 2)

Starbase activities (2024-08-25):

• Aug 24th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Chopstick work continues. Crews cut and remove both hard-stop points, which stop the arms from closing too much. (LabPadre, Niall Anderson)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 continues lifting components for a catch net on Tower B. (ViX)
• Some gas tanks were removed from the Pad B chopsticks carriage stored at Sanchez the previous day. A similar tank was later removed from the Pad A chopsticks carriage. Possibly indicative of a hardware swap, though not conclusive. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• cnunez posts recent progress on office construction, and a peek through the Starfactory windows.

Starbase activities (2024-08-24):

• Aug 23rd cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 23rd addendum: B14.1 is outfitted with two load point arms. S33 is connected to aft section and heads towards welding station. (LabPadre timelapse, Starship Gazer closeup)
• Not too much action reported on the 24th.
• Test Tank 16 still at Massey's. (cnunez, Gisler)
• Pad A: Work on chopsticks continues. (Gisler)
• RGV Aerial post photos of the build site and Pad B flame trench construction from their recent flyover.

Starbase activities (2024-08-23):

• Aug 22nd cryo delivery tally.
• S33 aft section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2, notably very little heat shielding. (LabPadre, ViX, Mary)
• Aft section is mated with rest of ship. (Starship Gazer, Golden)
• New stringers observed on the nose of S33. (Golden)
• Raptors #349, #373, #348 and #366 are delivered. (Mary)
• Pad B: The ~~LR11000~~ CC8800-1 crane working on assembly and installation of a catch net on Tower B. (ViX)
• Some large pipes are delivered. (clwphoto1)

Other:

• 1-hour reflight turnaround time for Starship is still the goal. Unclear if this is for the booster, the ship, or both. Booster would probably be easier.

Edit: Fixed incorrect crane at Pad B.

Starbase activities (2024-08-22):

• Aug 21st cryo delivery tally. (Yes, 21st)
• Aug 21st addendum: Move video of ship quick disconnect extension and retraction tests. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Nice clear photo of actuator pistons.
• Pad B: Load spreader disconnects from tower. Work on flame trench is under way. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• S30 receives a Mechazilla decal. Unknown if B12 will receive one too. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Mary, Gisler (sort of))

Starbase activities (2024-08-21):

• Aug 20th cryo delivery tally.
• Continuous flight auger drill moves from pad B to Sanchez. (ViX, Golden 1, Golden 2, Golden 3)
• Pad A: Ship quick disconnect is extended. All 3 bumper blocks are removed from both starboard and port chopsticks. Chopstick movement observed in the evening. Newly installed "acuter" (actuator) piston is spotted by Gisler.
• Pad B: The 9th and final tower module is stacked. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, NSF timelapse, NSF livestream, Golden, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, Gisler 1 (pre-lift safety meeting), Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, clwphoto1, SpaceX)
• LR11000 crane is on the move.
• Massey's: The "can crusher" jig is placed on Test Tank 16. Horizontal tank 2 of 3 arrives from Brownsville port. (ViX, Gisler)
• Starkitty sighted :) (ViX 1, ViX 2)

Other:

• Compilation of Tower B stacking. (LabPadre)

Starbase activities (2024-08-20):

• Aug 19th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 19th addendum: Video of S33 downcomer and jig entering Megabay 2. (ViX)
• In the morning, the LOX downcomer enters Megabay 2 as well. (ViX)
• Build site video tour.
• Construction on offices and connecting passageway to Starfactory continues, and the two structures are now connected. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Pad A: A "burn plate" is lifted onto booster quick disconnect hood, and tower cladding is being added/replaced. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad B: Elevator sections 7 and 8 are lifted. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Crews are prepping tower module 9 for its upcoming lift. (Gisler)
• Tanks which arrived at Brownsville port on Aug 18th are arriving at Massey's. (LabPadre)
• Test Tank 16 still at Massey's.

Starbase activities (2024-08-19):

• Aug 18th cryo delivery tally.
• The 9th and final tower module arrives at Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (pulley closeup), Gisler 3, Hammer 1, Hammer 2)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane is partially lowered for inspections, then raised back to vertical. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2)
• Pad A: Chopstick weld inspections continue, and "doubler plates" are installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Golden 1, Golden 2)
• Work on the ship quick disconnect continues.
• Construction on offices and connecting passageway to Starfactory continues. (cnunez, Gisler, RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2).
• Build site: Possible new design of a ship downcomer is spotted. (Golden)
• Massey's: Test Tank 16 is lifted into test stand/cage. (LabPadre, Mary)
• 1 hour road delay is posted for Aug 21st between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from pad to Sanchez.

McGregor activities (2024-08-19):

• Possible second Raptor 3 test fire, lasting 169 seconds, which matches full duration burn of Super Heavy. (NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-08-18):

• Aug 17th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 18th is a quiet day.
• Chopstick testing continues, specifically the rails. Sections of paint are stripped off to inspect welds. (LabPadre, ViX, Golden, cnunez, Gisler, Hammer)
• Ship quick disconnect in a sling. (Gisler, cnunez)
• Delivery of 3 tanks inbound for Brownsville port, likely destined for Massey's. (LabPadre, Golden)
• Delivery of 1 statue destined for unknown location. (Gomez, clwphoto 1, Hammer, ViX, background info)
• S30 still in rocket garden.

Starbase activities (2024-08-17):

• No cryo deliveries on Aug 16th.
• B14.1 moves from the launch site to the Rocket Garden. (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Hammer)
• Test Tank 16 moves from Starfactory to Massey's. (LabPadre, NSF)
• Pad B: Tower module 8 is stacked. (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF timelapse, Gomez, DeffGeff, Gisler, Hammer)
• Construction on passageway between Starfactory and the offices continues.
• Office glass installation continues.
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of Massey's, Pad A, launch site, Pad B,

Starbase activities (2024-08-16):

• Aug 15th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: Tower module 8 is hooked up to load spreader.
• Pad A: Chopstick testing continues. The chopsticks have had bumpers added, and seem to be moving faster than in previous tests. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, NSF 5, DeffGeff, Golden)
• Chopstick testing concluded: LR11000 lowers main block. Two SPMTs arrive with booster connection plates. Booster load spreader is lowered over B14.1. B14.1 lifted from launch mount to transport stand.
• 1 hour road delay is posted for Aug 19th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Sanchez to pad.

Other:

• Ringspaceflight sets up a Starbase tracking file on figma.

Starbase activities (2024-08-15):

• Aug 14th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, S26 moves from Megabay 2 to Rocket Garden. (ViX, NSF)
• Aug 15th is a busy day.
• Tower module 8 arrives at Pad B. (ViX, NSF)
• Tower module 7 is stacked and welded into place. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4 (timelapse), NSF 5 (welding), DeffGeff, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, Gisler timelapse)
• S33 aft section (of the LOX tank) moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2.
• Office window installation is progressing.
• Header tank spotted on route from Harlingen Port to Starbase. (John Randolph)
• Pad A: Chopstick testing continues, likely to measure strain on the vehicle when squeezed. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF (real time), DeffGeff
• More chopstick tests: ViX 0, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, ViX 6, ViX 7, ViX 8
• Drone inspection during chopstick tests.
• 2 hour road delays are posted for Aug 17th and 18th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from production pad to Massey's.

Other:

• New Raptor tracking diagram from Ringwatchers.

Edit: Fixed incorrect road closure dates, and clarified S33 section.