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Starship Development Thread April 2025 (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works to c/spacex@sh.itjust.works
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SpaceX Starship page

FAQ

  1. When next launch? (Flight 9) NET April, "4 to 6 weeks" after Flight 8. (Elon)
  2. When previous launch? (Flight 8) Booster 15 and Ship 34 launched on 2025-03-06.
  3. What was the result? Booster lands on chopsticks, ship experiences an RUD shortly before SECO.

Quick Links

Nerdle Cam | Lab Cam | Sapphire Cam | Sentinel Cam | Rover Cam | Rover 2.0 Cam | Rocket Ranch Cam | Plex Cam | NSF Starbase Live

Flight 8 launch thread | Starship Dev March | Starship Dev February | Flight 7 launch thread | Starship Dev January | Starship Dev December | Starship Dev November

Official SpaceX Starship Update Video (2024-04-06)

Road closures and road delays

Cameron County website - @bocaroad Mastodon bot

  • Road closures are posted for Apr 3rd and 4th, from 07:00 to 19:00, for non-flight testing activities.

Vehicle Status

*As of 2025-04-29

Ship Location Status Comment
SN2 Rocket Garden Pending scrapping?
S20 Rocket Garden Pending scrapping?
S31 Indian Ocean Successful splashdown Cryo tested May 12th, suffers small electrical fire. Underwent repairs in the Highbay, rolls back to Massey's Jul 1. Cryo tested Jul 2nd and 3rd. Engines installed by Jul 26th. Rolls to Massey's Sep 6th. Partial (aborted) cryo test Sep 8th. Static fired Sep 18th. Preflight checkouts completed Nov 17th. Launched as IFT-6 on Nov 19th. In-space raptor relight was successful, ship survived reentry and performed soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Test Tank 16 Sanchez Resting Cryo tested four times between July and September. Sliding plates added to the catch points on Jan 27th. Moved to Sanchez Mar 15th.
S34 Caribbean Destroyed Methane header tank spotted Aug 14th. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Sep 20th. Stacking completed around end of November. Cryo tested Jan 17th. Static fired Feb 11th. FTS installed Feb 24th. Launched Mar 6th, experienced an RUD shortly before SECO.
S35 Megabay 2 Pending engine install Parts spotted Sep 20th. Forward flap installation Dec 3rd. Nosecone stacked on payload bay Dec 11th. Stacked by Feb 7th. Cryo tested Mar 11th.
S36 Massey's Stacking Parts spotted in December. Stacking began Jan 30th. Moved to Megabay 2 Feb 12th. Stacking completed Mar 11th. Cryo tested Apr 27th.
S37 Megabay 2 / Starfactory Stacking / nose cone tiling Parts spotted in December. Forward dome section moves to Megabay 2 Mar 24th.
S38 Starfactory Nose cone tiling Parts spotted in December. Nosecone stacked on payload bay as of Mar 28th.
S39 Starfactory Assembly Parts spotted (Apr 9th).
S40 Starfactory Assembly Parts spotted (Apr 10th).
Booster Location Status Comment
B12 Rocket Garden Resting Cryo x2, Static fire Jul 15th. Full stack cryo tests Sep 23rd and Oct 7th. FTS installed Oct 9th. Launched as IFT-5 on Oct 13, returned to launch site for successful chopstick catch. Moved to Megabay 1 Oct 15th.
B14 Megabay 1 Pre-launch checkouts Stacked Apr 26th, Cryo tested Oct 4th and 5th. Static fired Dec 9th. FTS installed Jan 3rd. Wet dress rehearsal performed Jan 10th. Launched and landed Jan 16th. Static fired Apr 3rd.
B15 Rocket Garden Resting Stacked from July to September. Methane tank cryo test Dec 27th, full cryo test Dec 28th. Static fired Feb 9th. Launched and landed Mar 6th.
B16 Megabay 1 Pending engine install Stacking completed by Dec 26th. Cryo tested Feb 28th.
B17 Rocket Garden Pending engine install Parts spotted. First two sections moved to Megabay 1 Jan 4th. Fully stacked by Apr 7th. Cryo tested Apr 9th.
B18.1 Build site Assembly Likely a test article for Block 2 boosters. Parts spotted Feb 24th.
Test Tank 17 Starfactory Assembly Likely a test article for Block 3 boosters. Spotted Apr 21.

Resources

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[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Sorry for the delay, I was sick for a couple days; on the mend now :)

Starbase activities (2025-04-26):

Starbase activities (2025-04-27):

  • Massey's: S36 performs two rounds of cryo tests. (NSF 1, NSF 2, ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Build site: Some clamp arm actuators are installed on the launch mount for Pad B. (ViX)
  • S40 methane header tank in Starfactory. (CeaserG33)
  • Launch site: The Buckner and SpaceX LR11000 cranes swap places, presumably to facilitate reconfiguration of the Buckner crane. (ViX)
  • More cryo pump sumps arrive. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
  • Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
  • Other: S35 to perform a long-duration static fire. (anixsfs, lead designer and builder of Starship stands)

Starbase activities (2025-04-28):

  • Apr 27th cryo delivery tally.
  • Build site: Window removal continues. (NSF)
  • Little progress on Highbay demolition, Starfactory window demolition continues. (ViX)
  • S38 nosecone moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
  • Ship static fire stand moves from the Rocket Garden to Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 29th between 10:00 and 16:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
  • Launch site: The Buckner LR11000 crane is laid down, presumably for reconfiguration. (ViX)
  • Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.

KSC:

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-29):

  • Apr 28th cryo delivery tally.
  • Apr 28th addenda: In Megabay 2, S35 is lifted onto the static fire test/transport stand. This is the first lift of this kind to be completed using the ship catch pin sockets. (Planatus666)
  • Photo highlighting some missing tiles in one of the catch pin areas on S35. (Starship Gazer)
  • Having completed a couple rounds of cryo testing, S36 rolls back from Massey's to Megabay 2. Shortly after, S35 rolls out from Megabay 2 to Massey's presumably for static fire testing. (NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Gisler)
  • Build site: S36 is attached to lifting jig in Megabay 2. (ViX)
  • Clamp arms continue to arrive at Sanchez for installation on the launch mount for Pad B. (ViX)
  • Highbay demolition resumes; four staircase sections are removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Starfactory window removal continues. (ViX)
  • Launch site: Demolition of the container wall to the right of the D2 gate has begun. (ViX)
  • Massey's: 2-hour road delay is posted for between Apr 29th 22:00 and Apr 30th 04:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
  • S35 venting and potential long-duration static fire attempt. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF livestream)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-24):

  • Apr 23nd cryo delivery tally.
  • Apr 23rd addenda: Pad A ship quick disconnect is retracted and extended. (ViX)
  • Pad B chopsticks simulated catch tests. (ViX)
  • Chopsticks are squeaky. (megagoose11 / Starship Gazer)
  • Build site: Edit: Grid fin 2 of 4 is installed on B16. (video)
  • Another grid fin (~~2 of 4?~~ 3 of 4) is installed on B16. (ViX)
  • Highbay demolition continues. (ViX)
  • Destructive removal of glass panels from Starfactory begins. (ViX, Anderson / NSF)
  • More brackets are being installed on the Pad B launch mount, to hold a water manifold pipes. (Killip)
  • A clamp arm is lifted into the launch mount at Sanchez and then removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the production site.
  • Killip posts new renders of Test Tank 17, featuring new hold-down clamp interfaces.
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 26th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from factory to Massey's, possibly for S35 or Test Tank 17.
  • Launch site: Installation of wall sections in the flame trench continues. (NSF)
  • The flame diverter cap piece is installed. (NSF, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)

Elon regarding Raptor 3:

"Many improvements still to come. The ugly, unreliable and heavy bolted flange between the thrust chamber and hot gas manifold will become a welded joint."

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-11):

McGregor:

  • Horizontal Raptor test stand beats its previous record of 385 seconds with a 460 second test. (Hayden / NSF)

KSC:

  • Launch mount for LC-39A is under construction. (NSF)
[–] ptfrd@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

When next launch? (Flight 8) NET April, “4 to 6 weeks” after Flight 8. (Elon)
When previous launch? (Flight 7)? Booster 15 and Ship 34 launched on 2025-03-06.

I think the numbers in the parentheses need incrementing.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago

Thanks; fixed.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Starbase activities (2025-04-01):

Note for Piefed users: Post pinning doesn't seem to consistently federate from Lemmy to Piefed, but you can click "notify about replies" (on the original post, not this comment) to stay up to date with this thread.

[–] verity_kindle@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I enjoy the format of these threads, they're packed with juicy details, but you can also quickly skim over and still get a useful overview, if you've had too much caffeine. Thank you for the enthusiasm you put in to these, I can tell that it's from the heart. My favorite is the Rocket Garden update and location data, Starbase is expanding so quickly!

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 months ago

Thanks! It's nice to know that people appreciate these threads :)

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-13):

  • Apr 12th cryo delivery tally.
  • Apr 12th addenda: A second raptor engine (R499, an R-vac) and a third engine (R-center) enter Megabay 2, presumably for installation on S35. (Ringwatchers, ViX)
  • Starship Gazer posts a closeup photo of the second half on the flame diverter being lowered into the flame trench. (4k video)
  • Build site: A fourth engine (R519, an R-vac) and fifth engine (R-center) enter Megabay 2. (Ringwatchers, ViX)
  • A sixth engine (R-vac) enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
  • Megabay 2 now contains a set of six engines, presumably for S35.
  • Highbay demolition continues with a chequerboard pattern. (ViX)
  • Pad B: More pipes for the deluge system are delivered. (ViX)
  • Killip posts a few diagrams, renders, and photos of the Pad B deluge plumbing. (Killip 1, Killip 2, Killip 3, Killip 4, Killip 5)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-12):

KSC:

  • More space is cleared at LC-39A, thought to be for an air separation unit. (Anderson)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

April 9th addenda:

Starbase activities (2025-04-10):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-02):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-14):

  • Apr 13th cryo delivery tally.
  • Tank farm: Pump sump #7 is installed. (ViX)
  • Pad A: Chopsticks perform around two dozen closure tests at various speeds. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX)
  • Build site: Ship lifting jig enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
  • Ringwatchers post a summary of engines for S35.
  • Highbay demolition continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
  • Massey's: RGV Aerial post a flyover photo of what is speculated to be the new booster thrust simulator.
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 15th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from Massey's to factory, presumably for B17 rollback.
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-15):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-19):

  • Apr 18th addendum: The hotstage adapter is removed from B14 and exits Megabay 1. (Video)
  • Overnight, a second launch mount leg arrives at Pad B. (NSF, Starship Gazer, Planatus666)
  • The hotstage adapter reenters Megabay 1. (Video)
  • Potential launch mount B clamp arm is spotted. (Anderson, Starship Gazer)
  • RGV Aerial post additional photos of the Pad B flame trench (photo 1, photo 2)

KSC activities:

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-16):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-17):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-20):

  • 2nd anniversary of Starship full stack Flight Test 1.
  • Quiet day, nothing major reported.
  • Starship Gazer posts a photo and video of the newly delivered hold-down clamp arm for launch mount B.
  • Starship Gazer posts miscellaneous 4k video.
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-21):

  • Apr 20 cryo delivery tally.
  • Build site: Highbay demolition continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
  • The LTM11200 crane is laid down briefly, then raised back up. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • A test tank for booster version 3 emerges from Megabay 1 and moves towards Starfactory. (NSF, ViX)
  • Launch site: The SpaceX LR11000 crane reconfiguration continues. Reeving process is underway. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
  • 15-minute road delay is posted for Apr 23rd between 01:00 and 02:00 for transport from pad to factory.

KSC activities:

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-23):

McGregor:

  • First sighting of a vacuum Raptor 3. (NSF, Caton) (Edit: There is a possibility the vacuum engine spotted a couple days ago could be a Raptor 2, not a Raptor 3 as initially suspected. There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer.)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-22):

  • Apr 21 cryo delivery tally.
  • Apr 21st addenda: Pad B chopsticks are raised and lowered. (ViX)
  • Another hold-down arm for the Pad B launch mount is on its way to Sanchez. (ViX)
  • Build site: A Pez dispenser moves from Starfactory to the right side of Megabay 2, presumably for installation in S38. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • S37 is transferred to the centre work stand in Megabay 2. (ViX)
  • The LTM11200 crane is laid down. (ViX)
  • Launch site: Flame diverter top piece arrives at Pad B. (NSF, ViX)
  • Shake tests are performed on Pad A chopsticks. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • The remaining two launch mount legs arrive at Pad B. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • The first two Pad B launch mount legs are erected. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, SubstantialWall/NSF)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-25):

  • Apr 24th cryo delivery tally.
  • Build site: Ship lifting jig and the ship thrust simulator stand arrive at Megabay 2, suggesting a move of S36 to Massey's is up next. (ViX, HarvardRogerS)
  • Another launch mount clamp arm is delivered to Sanchez. (ViX)
  • Crews perform a second attempt at fitting a clamp arm in the Pad B launch mount. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
  • Clamp arm animation from Killip.
  • Launch site: "A new fire suppression system installed on the Pad A Launch Tower. This will either be for spraying down the tower before the booster returns for landing, or extinguishing fires on the vehicle after touchdown." (Golden)
  • Work on the Pad B gantry structure continues. (Starship Gazer)
  • Road closures: 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 26th between 12:00 and 16:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 28th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.
  • 2-hour road delay was posted for Apr 29th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from Massey's to factory, and subsequently ammended to between Apr 28th 22:00 and Apr 29th 06:00 for transport from factory to Massey’s.

McGregor:

  • There is a possibility the vacuum engine spotted a couple days ago could be a Raptor 2, not a Raptor 3 as initially suspected. There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer.
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-03):

Flight 9:

  • SpaceX confirm B14 will be the booster for this flight.
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-04):

  • Apr 3rd cryo delivery tally.
  • Scaffolding outside of the Highbay is dismantled. (ViX)
  • B14 still on the launch mount. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 8th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from factory to Massey's. (S35 rollout?)
  • 1-hour road delay is posted for Apr 8th between 10:00 and 14:00 for transport from pad to factory. (B14 rollback?)

KSC:

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-05):

  • Apr 4th cryo delivery tally.
  • Pretty quiet Saturday.
  • The Berry LTM11200 crane (which had been moved off to the side to facilitate booster rollout) has now been relocated to the rear of the Highbay, possibly to resume demolition work. (ViX)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-06):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-07):

  • Apr 6th cryo delivery tally.
  • Launch site: B14 is lifted from the launch mount to the transport stand. (LabPadre, ViX)
  • A LOX pump motor and a vapourizer are removed from the tank farm. (ViX)
  • The pump beneath the motor is lifted out and swapped over into sump #5. (ViX)
  • Chopsticks at Pad B perform some lateral tests. (ViX)
  • Work on the Pad B flame trench and gantry continues. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
  • The green pipes for the water deluge have now been buried. (Gisler)
  • Grackles and gulls. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Build site: Demolition of the Highbay resumes. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Roger S / NSF, Gisler)
  • S39 header tank is sighted in Starfactory. (Beyer)
  • A Booster cryo test stand and a booster cap arrive outside Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • Booster cap and cryo test stand enter Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
  • B17 is lifted onto the cryo test stand. Rollout to Massey's is expected. (ViX)

KSC:

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-18):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago

Starbase activities (2025-04-09):

  • Apr 8th cryo delivery tally.
  • Apr 8th addenda: Cryo test performed on B17 methane tank. (NSF)
  • The black LTR1220 crane lifts an aft flap into Megabay 2 in the direction of S35. (ViX)
  • Launch site: The last remaining (6 of 6) vertical vaporizer is removed from the Pad B end of the tank farm. (ViX)
  • Pad A chopstick landing rails are raised and lowered. (ViX)
  • A large elbow pipe for the Pad B water deluge is lifted into place. (ViX)
  • Roundabout construction continues. (Gisler)
  • Build site: Highbay demolition continues. Roof mostly gone, wall removal begins. (NSF, ViX, Gisler)
  • Starfactory cladding removal continues. (Gisler)
  • S38 nosecone receives its first forward flap. (Starship Gazer)
  • S39 nosecone is spotted. (Starship Gazer)
  • B15 moves from the Rocket Garden to Megabay 1. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler)
  • Massey's: B17 performs its 2nd cryo test, mainly the LOX tank this time, possibly a small fill on the methane tank. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
  • 2-hour road delay is posted for Apr 11th between 00:00 and 04:00 for transport from pad to factory. Not sure what this would be for, as there aren't any vehicles currently at the pad. ViX speculates that it may be for B17 rollback from Massey's.
  • RGV Aerial post a couple recent flyover photos of Massey's, confirming that the new booster quick-disconnect has two ports, and noting a potential booster thrust simulator.
  • Other: Photos of alleged hold-down arms for Pad B are posted. (mcrs987, OliverNerd7)
[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-08):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Starbase activities (2025-04-30):

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:

Starship Development Thread May 2025