SpaceX

Starbase activities (2025-03-21):

• Mar 20th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Overnight, B16 moves from Massey's to Megabay 1. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• A Berry LTM11200 is assembled in the ring yard, reportedly the same crane which built Starship MK1 back in 2019. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Highbay deconstruction continues with more cutting work on the roof, which results in a rather pretty shower of sparks inside the Highbay. (cnunez, ViX, Anderson / NSF)
• Launch site: Three new wall sections for the Pad B flame trench are delivered bringing the total to six. (ViX, Render from Killip)
• Two wall sections have been installed in the flame trench so far. (ViX)
• Pad B chopsticks are raised to the top of the tower for the first time. (LabPadre, ViX, Anderson / NSF)
• Other: RGV Aerial conduct a flyover, and post a picture of another shipment of cryo tanks pulling into port. This is likely explains the Mar 23rd transport notice.

Starbase activities (2025-03-20):

• Mar 19th cryo delivery tally.
• Mar 19th addendum: Chopsticks testing at Pad B. (ViX)
• Launch site: A new power and communications bunker is delivered. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Wall sections for the Pad B flame trench are delivered. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
• One of the wall sections is lowered into the Pad B flame trench, and water is delivered for the Pad A deluge system. (ViX)
• Zack Golden's thoughts on flame trench progress. (Golden 1, Golden 2, Golden 3, Golden 4)
• RGV Aerial post recent flame trench and a labelled map of the launch site.
• 2-hour road delay is posted for between Mar 21st 22:00 and Mar 22nd 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to the pad.
• 2-hour road delay is posted for Mar 23rd between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from Brownsville Port to the pad.
• Build site: A crane is in position to demolish the end wedge section of Starfactory, and a ship forward dome section is pending rollout. (ViX)
• Highbay disassembly continues with the removal of more roof sections and windows, and the arrival of another crane. (ViX 1, ViX 2)

McGregor:

• A Raptor 2 is tested to destruction. (Hayden)

Starbase activities (2025-03-19):

• Mar 18th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: A Y-manifold for the Pad B deluge system is delivered and lifted into place. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• A new pump motor is fitted at the tank farm expansion area, just inside Gate D2. (ViX)
• Build site: Construction of a new end wall inside Starfactory begins. (ViX)
• A crane is delivered, presumably to assist with Highbay demolition. (ViX)
• A small structure near the base of the Highbay is knocked down. (ViX)
• Highbay roof removal begins. (Anderson, ViX, cnunez)
• Booster transport stand enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• B15 moves from Megabay 1 to the Rocket Garden. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, RoughRidersShow)
• Massey’s: RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo.
• 2-hour road delay is posted for Mar 21st between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from "the Massey’s" to factory, presumably for B16.

Starbase activities (2025-03-18):

• Mar 17th cryo delivery tally.
• Mar 17th concrete delivery tally (294 truckloads so far).
• Launch site: Concrete pour for the Pad B flame trench continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• RGV Aerial post a pre-pour flyover photo.
• Another large pipe and a manifold for the Pad B deluge system are delivered. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Fluid panels are delivered, much to the excitement of (PjMichael8, Fluid System Designer at SpaceX)
• Grackles :) (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Build site: S36 has moved to the centre workstand in Megabay 2. (ViX)
• One of the Highbay windows has been removed. (ViX, Anderson)
• The LTR1220 crane delivers a booster cap to Megabay 1. (ViX)
• A booster transport stand arrives near Megabay 1. (ViX)
• Construction of launch mount B and flame diverter, continues. (ViX / Gisler / House, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, RGV Aerial)
• S38 is partially tiled in Starfactory. (cnunez)
• Other: Thoughts on Starship development from Shana Diez (Director of Starship Engineering). They're having a tough time at the moment.

Starbase activities (2025-03-17 ☘️):

• Mar 16th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Concrete deliveries for Pad B flame trench continue, with at least 276 truck loads so far. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, ViX 6, ViX 7, ViX 8, ViX 9, Starship Gazer)
• Build site: S39 header tank is spotted, labelled "V3 LOX CONE" (Starship Gazer). I can't actually find the label in the photo, and it is unclear if it would indicate version 3 of the entire ship or just the LOX cone.
• Massey’s: 2-hour road delay is posted for Mar 19th between 22:00 and 04:00 for transport from Massey’s to factory, presumably for B16.

Starbase activities (2025-03-16):

• Mar 15th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Video tour: Construction of the launch mount and flame bucket for Pad B continues. Temporary fencing has been erected across gate B2, blocking traffic from the road. (ViX)
• Preparation for Highbay demolition continue. Scaffolding is installed around the base, and it seems that power to the building has been shut off. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
• RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos of Massey's and Rio West.
• Launch site: Concrete trucks for Pad B flame trench begin to arrive. (Starship Gazer, Golden, BocasBrain)

Starbase activities (2025-03-15):

• Mar 14th cryo delivery tally.
• Massey's: Overnight, Test Tank 16 moves from Massey's to Sanchez. (NSF, ViX)
• Build site: S37 moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF)
• Wind conditions cause some wayward traffic cones. (ViX)
• Car park mural has been restored. (Mary)
• Launch site: "Fat ass-pipe" deliveries continue, likely for the Pad B deluge system. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Other: Recent RGV Aerial flyover shots of Pad A, Pad B flame trench, Massey's, and apartment building construction near Starfactory (cameron.tx, reference map).
• Annotated map of proposed roundabout construction. (Anderson / RGV Aerial)

Starship Mars landing tests:

• Elon is still targeting the 2026 December Mars transfer window. As ever, this is obviously "Elon Time", and must be adjusted accordingly :)

I just wanted to say thanks for running this community, and not by just linking to the other place. Much appreciated.

Starbase activities (2025-03-01):

• Feb 28th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, B16 cryo tests continue at Massey's. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Build site: S34 is transferred to the transport stand. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5)
• Miscellaneous closeups of S34. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, Evans)
• Starlink simulators are loaded onto S34. (NSF 1, NSF 2)
• Car park mural has been removed. (cnunez)
• S37 tile work is progressing in Starfactory. (cnunez)
• Launch site: Another tank arrives for the Pad B water deluge system. (ViX)
• A stop block on the Pad B chopsticks is removed and reinstalled, then removed again. (ViX 1, ViX 2)

Flight 8:

• Both LR11000s have been lowered, as is typical prior to launches. (ViX)

Maritime:

• Two cargo ships carrying cryo tanks are en route to Canaveral and Brownsville ports. (Cornwell)

Starbase activities (2025-03-07):

• Launch site: Overnight, the booster transport stand and the launch mount work platform roll out to Pad A. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• B15 is transferred from launch mount to transport stand. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• B15 aft end, post flight. (Beyer)
• Both the yellow and the black LR11000 cranes are rise. (ViX)
• Some damage to the tank farm vapourizers is noted. (before and after, (thanks Planatus666), Interstellar Gateway)
• Build site: In Megabay 2, the downcomer assembly moves towards S36 for final install, followed by "some kind of cap/bracket" and the LOX header tube. (ViX)
• Mar 7th and 9th road closures are revoked.
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Mar 10th and 11th, between 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from factory to Massey's, likely for S35.

Flight 8:

• Scott Manley posts his analysis.

Flight 9:

• "The next ship will be ready in 4 to 6 weeks." (Elon)

Maritime:

• Cryo tanks cross the Gulf from KSC to Texas, but are likely destined for McGregor, not Starbase. (Cornwell)

Starbase activities (2025-03-06):

• Mar 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Ship stand rolls back from the launch site. (ViX)
• Detonation suppression system is tested. (ViX)
• Helicopters refuelling near the roadblock. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Tank farm venting. (ViX)
• Pad is clear. (LabPadre)
• Chopsticks open. (NSF, LabPadre)
• Chopsticks are tested. (ViX)
• Fast Ship Hannah Ray is on duty. (Cornwell)
• Tower and launch mount venting. (ViX)
• Propellant is loaded. (SpaceX, ViX)
• Helicopters on duty. (ViX)
• Flight 8 happens.
• B15 is caught and lowered onto the Launch Mount A. (Priel)
• Road is reopened, booster transport stand rolls out to the launch site. (ViX)
• Build site: S36 downcomer is lifted in Megabay 2, likely moved onto a fitting jig for later installation. (ViX)
• Three smaller transfer tubes are also lifted into the installation jig. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Golden, Astronomy Live (tracking with an 11" telescope))

Flight 8:

• Nominal liftoff and staging. (NSF 1, NSF 2, SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2)
• Only 11/13 engines on the boostback burn, but landing burn and chopsticks catch is successful. (Golden, NSF, SpaceX)
• S34 experiences multiple engine failures/shutdowns and spins out of control. (NSF, ViX, Golden Cdtj3 (engine skirt view), SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2)
• S34 breaks up near Florida and reenters near Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. (Mahlmann, briancjackson, NStewWX, MrGilyard, SeeClickFlash, VictorOnX, NorcrossUSA, GeneDoctorB, )
• Update on SpaceX website. (Current, archive)
• FAA to require a mishap investigation, as expected. (Beil)
• Ryan Hansen speculates that the engine failures may have been due to an issue with a glowing orange area on one of the regenerative cooling manifolds. (Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4)

McGregor:

• A raptor engine is tested to destruction. (NSF)

Starbase activities (2025-03-11):

• Mar 10th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Pad B chopsticks raise and lower. (ViX)
• Build site: ~~Starkitty is sighted :) (ViX)~~ (Edit: Old tweet from Mar 8th)
• SpaceX are still looking to hire a "Propulsion Systems Engineer, responsible for designing, analyzing, and building feedline system to feed Raptor engines on Starship". (NSF, greenhouse.io (archive))
• Widening of Highway 4 is proposed. (txdot.gov (archive))
• Massey's: S35 undergoes a cryo test on both tanks. (ViX)
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Mar 12th (12:00 to 16:00) and 13th (00:00 to 04:00) for transport from Massey's to factory, likely for B16 return.

Starbase activities (2025-03-10):

• Mar 9th cryo delivery tally.
• Massey's: Overnight, S35 rolls out to Massey's. (NSF, LabPadre 1, ViX, Starship Gazer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, cnunez)
• Closeups of S35 structural catch pins. (Mary / NSF)
• Build site: Multiple deliveries including Starlink simulators, loads of steel, and a white mystery torus. (ViX)
• The booster press pipe install jig moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
• Starkitty is sighted :) ViX
• Car park mural is returning. (Gisler)
• New B15 raptor tracking diagram from Ringwatchers.
• A pipe is being run from the build site to the pad. (Gisler) Would this be for water? Propellant? Electrical conduit?
• Launch site: Maintenance on the black LR11000 crane continues. (ViX)
• Pad A: following some inspection work, the Chopsticks return to their normal rest position. (ViX)
• Pad B: Concrete is poured for the flame trench. (Gisler)

Starbase activities (2025-03-14): (Happy pi day!)

• Mar 13th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: The three remaining damaged vapourizers have been uninstalled and trucked away. Two fat ass-pipes are delivered, likely for the Pad B deluge system. (ViX)
• Maintenance/disassembly of the black LR11000 crane continues. (Gisler)
• Roundabout construction continues. (Gisler)
• Rubble and pipes at Pad A. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Pad B construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Build site: An empty Raptor transport cart moves from Starfactory towards Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Car park mural restoration continues. (Gisler)
• Massey's: 2-hour road delay is posted for Mar 15th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from Massey’s to factory, likely for Test Tank 16.
• An SPMT heads toward Massey's. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)

Starbase activities (2025-03-03):

• Mar 2nd cryo delivery tally.
• Hot staging adapter stand and lifting jig arrive back at the build site, followed by both the ship and booster transport stands. (ViX)
• A booster downcomer arrives, and a stand enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• A 1-hour road delay is posted for Mar 5th, between 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from pad to factory.

Flight 8:

• Tower camera lens covers are removed. (NSF, Starship Gazer)
• Road closure in place and helicopter on duty. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, NSF)
• Chopsticks open and rise. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF)
• Detonation suppression system is tested. (ViX)
• CEO arrives.
• Tank farm spools up. (ViX)
• Launch mount and tower venting. (ViX, NSF)
• Following multiple holds at T-40 seconds, launch is scrubbed. (NSF 1, NSF 2, SpaceX 1, SpaceX 2)
• Destack is planned: "Too many question marks about this flight and then we were 20 bar low on ground spin start pressure. Best to destack, inspect both stages and try again in a day or two. (Elon)
• Ship transport stand rolls out to the launch site. (NSF / Keegan)

Florida:

• SpaceX post info on the Gigabay production facility and pads LC-39A and SLC-37. (current, archive)

Starbase activities (2025-03-09):

• Mar 8th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Closeups of Starfactory indicate possible preparations to make way for construction of a "Gigabay". Also includes a photo of the new Pez loader box. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Ship lifting jig enters Megabay 2, followed by a ship cryo stand, likely for S35 transport. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Launch site: The modified lateral stop block for the chopsticks B is installed, then removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Crews work on the black LR11000 crane. (ViX)

Flight 8:

• SpaceX post a video of liftoff viewed from under the launch mount.

Starbase activities (2025-03-02):

• Mar 1st cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, four Starlink simulators are loaded into S34. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Non-structural catch pins are installed on S34. (Starship Gazer)
• S34 rolls out to Pad A. (NSF, LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Huot, SpaceX)
• S34 is stacked on B15. (ViX, NSF full livestream, Evans, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)

Flight 8:

• Infographic by BingoBoca.
• Closeups of S34 heatshield, with (presumably intentional) missing tiles. (cnunez, Kraus)
• "about a hundred experiments running simultaneously on that heat shield, which is part of why it looks so patchy" (Elon)
• "Thousands of changes" to S34 vs S33. (Elon)
• Launch mount legs have not been repainted. (Golden)

Flight 9+:

• Ship catch attempt is contingent on completing a perfect ship reentry. (Elon)

KSC:

• Cryo tanks arrive at Port Canaveral, possibly for SpaceX. (Cornwell)

Starbase activities (2025-03-12):

• Mar 11th cryo delivery tally.
• Massey's: S35 undergoes a second day of cryo tests. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Build site: S36 aft section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. This is the final section of S36 required for stacking. (ViX)
• A Pez dispenser stand enters Megabay 2, followed shortly by the dispenser itself. Likely indicative of preparation for S37 stacking. (ViX)
• Launch site: Pad B flame trench construction continues. (ViX)
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Mar 13th (12:00 to 16:00) and 14th (00:00 to 04:00) for transport from Massey’s to factory, likely for B16 return.

KSC:

• Land clearing at LC-39A continues. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)

Starbase activities (2025-03-13):

• Mar 12th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Two sections of the black LR11000 crane are trucked out. (ViX)
• One of the damaged vapourizers is also trucked out. (ViX)
• Tank farm plumbing photo from cnunez.
• Build site: The road delay was not for B16. S35 moves from Massey's to Megabay 2. (NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
• S35 is hooked up to the lifting jig, and transferred to a work stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Car park mural restoration progress. (cnunez)

Starbase activities (2025-03-08):

• Mar 7th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Starkitty is sighted :) (ViX)
• Overnight, B15 rolls back to Megabay 1 and is transferred to a work stand. (LabPadre, Reed / NSF, ViX, ViX 2)
• Launch site: - Three of six vapourizers are removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• The black LR11000 crane is laid back down. (ViX)
• Steel sections are delivered for Pad B flame trench. Explanatory diagrams from AshleyKillip.

Flight 8:

• R-vac nozzle was lost prior to shutdown of other engines. (Truthful_ast)
• Preliminary info on S34 failure, anonymous source, veracity not verified. (halcyonhypnotic)

Starbase activities (2025-03-05):

• Mar 4th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: A restack of S34 on B15 is attempted. (NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3)
• A piece of the hot staging adapter clamp falls off of S34 just before it was lowered onto B15. (NSF, Starship Gazer)
• S34 is lowered. (NSF 1, NSF 2, Starship Gazer, explanation from Hansen)
• B15 hot staging adapter is inspected. (Golden)
• During the stack attempt the chopsticks rail system lost a bearing. (Elinana Sheriff / Joe Tegtmeyer, NSF livestream)
• S34 is successfully restacked on B15. (NSF, ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Build site: High bay is being emptied, potentially prior to demolition. Golden
• Massey's: Overnight, B16 cryo testing continues. (NSF)
• A 2-hour road delay is posted for Mar 7th, between 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from Massey's to factory. (Presumably B16 rollback)

Flight 8:

• SpaceX are now targeting NET Mar 6th.
• Mar 6th road closure is scheduled.
• S34 features a strip of smaller tiles. (cnunez)
• A 1-hour road delay is posted for Mar 8th, between 00:00 to 04:00 for transport from pad to factory. (Presumably anticipating B15 rollback after successful catch)

Starbase activities (2025-03-04):

• Mar 3rd cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Ship stand rolls out to the launch site. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Ship quick disconnect is retracted, crews tape up the ports on S34. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• S34 is destacked. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX)
• Gisler posts some newly visible angles of the tank farm. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler 5)
• Build site: Mystery delivery to Starfactory. (ViX)
• S36's A:3 section enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
• Cnunez posts status photos of S37 and S38 nosecone tiling.
• Massey's: B16 performs a second cryo test. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, cnunez)

Flight 8:

• SpaceX are now targeting NET Mar 5th.
• Road closure for Mar 4th is revoked.
• Road closures are posted for Mar 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th (Sunday!), from 10:30 to 23:30 for flight testing activities. Mar 5th closure is scheduled.