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)

Flight 8:

• Potential photo of S34 engine bay with multiple engines missing. (francescospace_)

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 (2025-03-12):

• 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 (2025-03-11):

• 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 (2025-03-09):

• 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 (2025-03-08):

• 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)

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

Starbase activities (2025-03-06):

• 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 (2025-03-01):

• 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 (2025-03-04):

• 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.

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 (2025-03-05):

• 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 (2025-03-02):

• 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)