The SpaceX Starship program is the development of a fully reusable, two-stage super heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to transport crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, it aims to revolutionize space access by reducing launch costs, with capabilities for in-space refueling and rapid reusability

SpaceX Starship is developed, manufactured, and launched at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Located at the southernmost tip of Texas near the Mexican border and Brownsville, this facility includes a dedicated production site, rocket factory, and an orbital launch site. A full production facility is under construction at Florida's Cape Canaveral. Both sites will be used to launch supplies and eventually astronauts not only to the moon but to Mars, the main objective

Launch pad 2 has been completed. It is fully functional and will be used to launch its first flight, test flight 12, on May 20th. The booster was placed on the pad May 6th for a static test. With the booster locked down to the pad it was fueled and a test of the Raptor 3 engines was run firing up 33 engines. Many tests were run to make sure it was ready for flight. Stacking of Starship was completed today placing the "ship" on top of the booster

There are two Orbital Launch and Integration Towers (OLIT) at each site, Texas and Florida. They are 500 feet tall and are fully robotic making them the "world's largest robots" nicknamed "Mechazilla". Starship once stacked is 400 feet tall making it not only the tallest rocket but is also the most powerful ever developed. The towers are also designed to catch the boosters on their return from flight and will eventually catch Starship - Test flight 8 launch and catch of the booster! All has to be perfectly aligned or the booster will be landed in the gulf offshore. You gotta watch this!


Starship


Starbase Live - 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development From SpaceX's Boca Chica Facility. You can run the slider back


Booster 19 Rollout to Pad 2

Daytime Booster Rollout to Pad 2

Booster Static Fire Test for this flight

Starship 39 Rollout and Stack - Pad 2 - exit out of sign in and enlarge

Daytime Stack of Starship 30- Pad 2


Developing New Launch Tower For Starship Block 3 - Block 3(V3) is latest ship and booster design, its first launch


NASAspaceflight(NSF)_Latest Update

NASASpaceflight


Launch Date

Thanks, Orion.

Thanks Orion.

Thank you, Orion 😬😬😬

Thank you Orion

The Orbital Launch and Integration Tower (OLIT)

Starship Pad 2's gantry (OLIT-3) is designed to rapidly increase launch capacity, featuring upgraded, shorter "chopstick" arms for quicker, more precise catches of the Starship upper stage, especially for V3 vehicles. It supports, stacks, fuels, and catches both Super Heavy and Starship, with integrated deluge, improved structural, and faster turnaround capabilities - Pad 2 with booster


Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) - The main launch pad structure that the SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy booster sits on. It has a number of functions:

Booster Hold-Down Clamps - Enlarge. These clamps secure the booster to the pad. Mounted lasers make sure the booster is properly positioned for propellant Quick Disconnects

Ship Quick Disconnects(SQD) and Deluge System - SQD's are located on the OLM and on the tower. The 2 QD's on the launch mount load the booster with propellants. There is another QD on the tower that fuels Starship. It sits on a SQD arm that swings out of the way after disconnecting from Starship for launch. These QD's can also de-tank both Starship and booster - Both QDs retracting. Scroll to 2:37 for a 1 1/2 minute look at the OLM Quick Disconnects

Image of the Chopsticks and Quick Disconnect Arm


Fueling


The OLIT's Mechanical Arm also know as "Chopsticks"(Video) - these lift the booster on to the OLM and stack Starship on top the booster


How SpaceX Catches Rockets


NSF Update

Wow, another awesome update! Thank you Orion

Thanks for the updates Orion.

This morning at 4 am EST May 12th Starship was removed from the booster for what reason it is not yet known. Ship's Quick Disconnect was retracted and plugged back into the ship a number of times pryor this de-stack. It retracted and the SQD arm was swung off to the right for the start of Starship de-stack. At this time it sits on a Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) next to the pad. Launch Pad Technicians on the ground were using a manlift taking a look at the area where the propellants are loaded into the ship


NSF Update- update pryor Starship de-stack


EDITS May 12th:

1. Starship 39 is going back to the Starbase Production. The move back to the factory started at 10:30 am EST

2. Starship arrived at production and was rolled into Mega Bay 2

3. Booster 19 is now being pulled out of the Launch Mount. The pull started at 3 pm EST landing it on it's transporter. We have an empty launch pad

4. The booster started its roll back to the production site at 5:45 pm EST. It too went into Maga Bay 1. They roll the booster standing straight up on it's transporter. It's quite the site

Here is a video of Booster 19's removal from the OLM landing it on it's transporter - Booster De-stack


Timelapse of 2nd WDR attempt - successful

Thanks Orion, for keeping us updated and explaining what they are doing.

With both Starship and booster in Mega Bays Launch Pad Technicians are taking this time to work on launch complex 2. They've been working on several areas of the tower and on the Orbital Launch Mount, the structure the booster sits on

Workers on the SpaceX Starship launch pad are primarily called Launch Pad Technicians. These technicians are responsible for fabricating, installing, and maintaining critical fluid system components, including valves, regulators, and gauges on the launch mount and orbital integration tower

Great information Orion ... thank you

Starship Test Flight 5 - This has to be one of the best launches, booster catch and a ride back into Earth's atmosphere. Great video, nice views of Earth and a ride on Starship entering the atmosphere. Plazma surrounds the ship then it gets hot, it's an amazing site

Watch the launch to booster catch, towers first catch, and be sure to watch the re-entry starting 00:45:30 minutes in

Test flights up to this point have been trying to get Starship back to earth unscathed. Test Flight 4 landed in the Indian Ocean. It was seriously damaged from re-entry. Flight 5 experienced minor heat shield damage to its flaps during re- entry. Every flight has a new heat shield configuration and body upgrades - Flight 12 is Starship version 3

Like threading a needle!

SpaceX Reveals FULL Starship Flight 12 Plan: Starship Has NEVER Done This Before!!! - Very good! A complete redesign of it all

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Starship was moved from Mega Bay 2 to Massey testing site on Starbase grounds. Starship will go through a series of tests here then head back to Mega Bay 2 - Timelapse S39 Move.

Testing performed- cryogenic proof tests to validate tank structural integrity, thrust simulator tests that mimic engine loads on boosters/ships, and engine static fire tests to verify engine functionality before flight

Ready for First Ship V3 Firing at Massey - earlier pre-launch testing of Starship 39 and booster 19 at Massey Testing, changes made to V3 and testing sequence. Runs for 6 min


Starbase Summary - Progress after failed 1st attempt at a Wet Dress Rehearsal. It you go to timestamp 9:22 you will see a Launch Pad Technician next to the booster. WOW! You will notice he is safety tied at all times. It is 70 feet to the ground and another 50 feet into the Flame Trench. You will also get a good view of a Quick Disconnect inserted into the booster. There are 2 QD's used to load propellant into the booster

Test Like You Fly - "New ship. New booster. New engines. New pad and new test site"

What an incredible effort...

At 5:30 am EST Starship was moved from the Massey testing site back to Mega Bay 2

Starship Flight 11 (October 13, 2025) - daytime splash down in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Western Australia, following a successful controlled descent. Additionally, its Super Heavy booster completed a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near the launch site

Starship flight 11(Ship 38) received significant, yet intentionally designed, damage during its re-entry stress test. SpaceX deliberately flew the vehicle without several heat shield tiles to push the stainless steel structure to its limits


SpaceX Updates - upgrades debuting on Starship, Super Heavy(booster), Raptor engines, launch complex 2 and more

Both booster(B19) and ship(S39) remain behind closed Mega Bay doors - Mega Bays 1 & 2


Mega Bay 1 (MB1) serves as the primary location for assembling and preparing SpaceX's massive Super Heavy rocket boosters. Its primary functions include:


Booster Stacking: Assembling the cylindrical sections of Super Heavy boosters

Hardware Installation: Installing the 33 Raptor engines, grid fins, and other critical plumbing and avionics onto the boosters

Refurbishment: Housing, repairing, and upgrading recovered and caught boosters after orbital test flights

Testing Prep: Prepping the rockets for cryogenic proof testing and static fire tests at the launch complex

There is also office space at the top of Mega Bay 1

**

Mega Bay 2 (MB2) is a massive vertical integration facility used to assemble and process Starship spacecraft. It performs the following key functions:


Rocket Stacking: Houses the assembly and welding of full-scale Starship upper stages from individual steel rings

Engine Installation & Testing: Fits the ship with up to 6 Raptor engines and handles checkouts before taking the vehicle to static fire test stands

Payload Integration: Integrates payloads and hardware like the "Starlink PEZ dispenser" used for Starlink satellite deployment. This will be the 3rd flight that will test this style of deployment for an upgraded satellite soon to be launched

Pre-Flight Processing: Serves as the staging and checkout point before the rocket rolls out to the launch pad

There are road delays from Production to the launch pad starting tonight at 8 pm and beach closures on the 19th to the 21st. That is a good sign the booster and the ship will roll from their Mega Bays to the pad and get stacked - Beach and Road Access

SpaceX's Unexpected Launch Date for Starship Flight 12 Revealed - "everything behind the delay". Runs for 9 minutes

WE Got Drenched by Pad 2's Deluge

Last night, May 18th at 9 pm EST, booster 19 was moved from Mega Bay 1 to Launch Complex 2 where it sits waiting for a lift onto the Launch Mount. Ship 39 was moved out of MB 2 this morning at 7:30 am EST. It is sitting between the Mega Bays waiting to roll to Launch Complex 2

NSF Latest update - 5/18


EDITS May 19th - Starship stacking

The booster was lifted from its transporter to the Orbital Launch Mount(OLM) at 8:10 am EST. It was lowered down onto the OLM at 9 am. It was then clamped down and the propellant Quick Disconnects were inserted at its base

The ship started its roll to Launch Complex 2 at 11:30 am. This is a 2 mile trip moving 2 to 10 mph depending

The tower's "Chopsticks" started lifting the ship from its transporter at 4:15 pm EST. After a very slow climb it was placed on top of the booster at 6:30 pm

Starship is back on the launch pad. A Wet Dress Rehearsal is expected Wednesday

Do you visit any of these events Orion?

If you are asking me if I've been to Starbase City in Texas where this launch will take place I have not visited the site soot. At the moment there is no public access to it not even a tour. Launches might start up here in Florida end of year. We won't miss that first launch

Here is the NSF Live Views from Florida. A full Starship production facility and launch site is being built. We got a good look at the 2 Starship launch towers standing tall when we went to KSC and took the VIP tour. We did see Artemis II on the launch pad as well as SpaceX Falcon 9 operations

** EDITS below

Now that Starship is back on the launch pad a number of tests are run including Wet Dress Rehearsal(WDR) scheduled for today May 20th before Thursdays May 21st launch

A Starship Wet Dress Rehearsal is a critical pre-launch test where SpaceX fully loads the Starship and Super Heavy with super-chilled propellants, simulating an entire countdown sequence without igniting the engines. This ensures the vehicles and ground systems are ready for launch


Last Starship Flight 12 Testing in Hours - very good, runs for 6 minutes


**EDITS May 20th: WDR started at around 10 am EST. It was aborted at 12:30 pm

SpaceX Performs Second Wet Dress Rehearsal of First V3 Starship - this was a live coverage of the WDR broadcasted on "Starbase Live" :

0:13:10 - taking the Starship Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT) back to production from the launch pad

1:11:20 - a good look at the Ship Quick Disconnect on the SQD Arm loading propellant into the ship. This arm swings away from Starship during launch after the SQD retracts

1:36:00 - you will see Liquid Oxygen pouring out of a vent. This is not right as explained. You will see Pad 2's Tank Farm off to bottom left. This is where propellants are stored along with the water for the deluge. A portion of the Tank Farm is behind a massive concrete wall protecting the propellants from thrust

2:05:00 - WDR aborted

2:50:45 - The SQD has/was detached from the ship

2:53:10 - Attempt made to attach SQD to the ship. Eventually it gets reattached and de-tanking continued


Launch is still a go Thursday at 7:30 pm EST

** Launch was scrubbed with 40 sec to go

******

Recorded NSF Steakout Stream (7 hrs) - 1st Launch Attempt - Leading up to NSF's Starship Flight 12 launch broadcast at 4pm NSF. NSF answered questions, observed the ongoing activity at Starbase, and provided you with everything you need to know for Starship Flight 12. You can exit out of chat and then enlarge

SpaceX's Starship Launch Coverage - coverage started at 6:43 pm EST


There will be no tower catch attempts. SpaceX would like to see 2 unscathed returns of the ship and booster. This is the first launch of a new Starship design. They want to make sure all works well before taking a chance on damaging this new tower. They will land the booster off shore in the gulf and the ship will splashdown in the Indian Ocean

During this launch we will see 22 dummy satellites deployed from the inside of the ship and should get some views from the outside as well. The last two satellites deployed will scan Starship’s heat shield and transmit imagery down to operators to test methods of analyzing Starship’s heat shield readiness for return to launch site on future missions. These dummy satellites will eventually be replaced with the next generation of Starlink satellites delivering up to 20 times more bandwidth per launch than current Falcon 9 missions - Starlink


Starship Images - zoom in

Starbase Pad 2 & Tank Farm - Tank Farm spooled up for an earlier WDR, no zoom

Stacking the Ship

At the Top - Ready to swing over to the booster. Notice the public highway, Highway 4. It gets closed for Starship rollouts from production to the launch pad and launches - Highway 4

Stacked

NASASpaceflight - NASASpaceflight (NSF) delivers live rocket launch coverage, breaking spaceflight news, and in-depth reporting from around the world. Now in its 20th year, NSF covers all major players in space: SpaceX, NASA, Blue Origin, ULA and more. From Starship test campaigns at Starbase to crew missions, infrastructure rollouts, and international launches, NSF delivers multi-angle livestreams, on-site reporting, and expert analysis from locations like Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, Wallops, and Starbase

* A second attempt at launching Starship is tonight Friday May 22nd at 6:30 pm EST - SpaceX's Starship Launch Coverage starts at 5:58 pm EST. This will be a 1 hour and 8 minute flight. Live deployment of satellites begins 20 minutes into flight, re-entry 50 minutes

SpaceX aborted the Starship Flight 12 launch Thursday with just seconds left on the countdown because a hydraulic pin holding the launch tower's quick-disconnect arm in place failed to retract. This meant the arm could not safely disengage from the rocket. This technical glitch along with fuel temperature and pressure fluctuations caused multiple automatic countdown resets. Repeated holds in the final seconds of the countdown forced the launch team into troubleshooting which ultimately caused the propellant tank temperature and pressure readings to rise out of optimal limits forcing an abort - SQD Arm - zoom

NSF Launch Stream - watch them turn Starship on


It takes about 50 to 90 tanker trucks to completely fill the deluge system tanks at SpaceX's Starbase, assuming typical 6,000 to 12,000-gallon bulk tanker capacities. Cryo trucks also deliver propellant, super cooled methane and liquid oxygen to the launch site, the Tank Farm

If you missed the launch you can watch it HERE

Live from the ISS - Check "Quality" in settings, Grab the slider and scroll back for different views

NSF Latest Update - Starship Flight 12 Full Analysis: What Went Well & What Went Wrong - There were issues with the flight that will delay a tower catch of a booster or a ship


Starship's next launch, test flight 13, is sometime this summer - TBA


SpaceX Launches

Starbase Live

Space Coast Live

NasaSpaceflight

Starship's 13th flight test is set for July 16th at 6:45 pm EST - SpaceX

This test flight consists of booster 20 and ship 40. After assembly both were cryo load tested then static fired at SpaceX's Boca Chica Facility in Starbase, TX where Starship is manufactured, built then tested and launched. Ship 40 was tested at their McGregor site and booster 20 was cryo tested and static fired on the launch pad. After testing both they were returned to their Mega Bays getting final checks before being transported to the launch pad for stacking and launch

Ship 40 Static Fire

Booster 20 Static Fire

Thanks for the updates Orion

Road delay from production to pad July 14th 7 to 10 pm CDT. Booster 20 will be transported to launch pad 2

Very good behind the scenes pryor test flight 12 - Starship - Critical Path

Booster 20 was transported to launch pad 2 last night. Road delays for transport of ship 40 to launch pad 2 starts 6 pm - 10 pm CDT July 15th


You can watch last nights booster move to launch pad 2 HERE. Close out the chat then full screen. Points of interests - views:

5 minutes - rolling past the 2 Mega Bays where assembling is now being performed until the Giga Bay is completed, the larger building under construction

Giga Bay's Key Functions:

Vertical Assembly & Stacking: Heavy overhead bridge cranes (capable of lifting 400 US tons) will hoist and weld giant steel barrel sections, stacking methane and liquid oxygen tanks into fully formed rocket stages

Parallel Processing: The facility splits its vast floor plan into 24 dedicated work cells. This allows engineering teams to work on up to 24 different Starships or boosters simultaneously

Rapid Post-Flight Refurbishment: As Starship moves into an era of high-frequency reuse, returning boosters and ships will be rolled into the bay to be quickly inspected, repaired, and prepped for reflight

Ultimately, the facility is designed to fulfill Elon Musk's goal of building 1,000 Starships a year. This massive volume is required to sustain continuous Starlink V3 satellite deployments, NASA's Artemis lunar landings, and future cargo convoys to Mars


24 minutes - nice sunset on the booster heading to Launch pad 2 on the left. Pad 1 on the right is under construction

37 minutes - a good look at the transporter rolling along

1:34:00 - chopsticks running up the booster preparing to grab the booster for setting it on the launch mount

As of now there is no video of the booster being lifted onto the launch mount


What's up with Test Flight 13

another major step in SpaceX's "test, learn, improve, repeat."

It won't be long before SpaceX will be launching one after another soot. When completed there will be 4 launch towers, 2 in Texas and 2 in Florida with plans to build more in Louisiana, hurricane alley.

If there are no major issues with the booster they plan on doing a booster tower catch with test flight 14. Between both sites Texas and Florida, Florida becoming the main launch site for the Moon and Mars, Starship test flights could become a weekly show. Launches from Florida are suppose to start by end of year. I am looking forward to that

All went well with the ship stack last night. You can scroll through the transport and stack HERE

*EDIT: Launch was set for tonight 6:45 pm EST. It was scrubbed when 4 of its Raptor engines did not ignite forcing a shutdown


57 years ago Apollo 11 launched to the moon - July 16th, 1969

Thanks, Orion!

Ana

Thanks Orion.

Test Flight 13 was scrubbed when 4 of its 33 Raptor engines on the booster failed to ignite forcing a shut down. SpaceX will destack the launch pad and return both booster and the ship back to production. They are having issues with these Raptors. Test flight 12 had issues with them

Two views of ignition and shutdown:

Arial - scroll to 31 min

Ground - scroll to 7 min for a few views


Changed - Raptor Engine

Canceled - Second Attempt of test flight 13 set for July 20th at 6:45 pm EST - SpaceX

Starship will be ready to go as soon as changes are made to booster 20 possibly replacing 4 Raptor engines or they could use booster 21 now being cryogenic tested at their Massey testing site on grounds. A static test of the booster engines igniting them on the launch pad is usually the procedure they follow after a build. They have been transporting boosters back to production for a final check after a static test but in this case might just leave it on the launch pad and then stack the ship on the booster for Monday's launch. It will be interesting to see how they are gonna make this happen. Monday is right around the corner

Why Starship Flight 13 Aborted - in the first 5 minutes there is a look at what the future holds for Starship, Artemis III and Blue Origin's lunar lander

ADDED: Test Flight 13 Summary - Transporting booster and starship to the pad, stacking them on the launch pad, the abort, destack the pad and transport each back to production. Includes video of range helicopters refueling in the street at Starbase - 13 minutes

for the links Orion.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop Orion

Test flight 13 launch still set for July 23rd at 6:45 pm EST - Launched canceled


Space Coast Live

NSF Broadcasts

There was road delays Tues eve from 8pm to 12am CDT so booster 20 could be transported back to the launch pad after swapping out 5 Raptor engines. Other checks were done as well on the booster after Starships aborted launch on July 16th when 4 Raptor engines out of 33 did not ignite on the launch pad

Beaches were closed for booster testing Wednesday 9am to 11pm CDT - Booster Testing (Recorded). Propellants were loaded into the booster sitting on the launch mount and then was detanked. All went well. Scroll to 1:53:00. Get rid of the chat and full screen

Ship 40 was also transported to the launch pad and was placed on top of the booster Wednesday


Watch the Ship Lift and Stack - Starts at 2:20:00. Again remove the chat and full screen. Very good views

** Today's launch, July 23rd, has been scrubbed. Weather conditions were not looking good

Another attempt to get Starship off the ground is set for tonight July 24th 6:51 pm EST

Recorded - SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Attempt 3 Stakeout Stream - "Leading up to NSF's Starship Flight 13 launch broadcast, NSF will go live with over six hours of commentary as we stakeout Starship's 13th flight. We will answer questions, observe the ongoing activity at Starbase, and provide you with everything you need to know for Starship Flight 13"

Recorded - SpaceX Starship Flight 13 - Launch & Landing - ATTEMPT 3 LAUNCH STREAM - "Starship launches Flight 13, the second launch of the Block 3 vehicle from Pad 2 at Starbase. This is the third attempt following a T-0 abort on July 16, and a weather scrub on July 23"

Let's hope all goes well...

Fingers crossed.

It was a perfect day for a launch. It seemed the only issue was not all 13 Raptor engines on the booster lit up on splashdown causing a rougher splashdown then expected. You can watch the launch on SpaceX

Highlighted Times

2:00 - Program starts

15:00 - Propellants being loaded and a description of Starship Version 3

24:00 - Flight profile then Starship and the Artemis III mission - 26:50

34:00 - 1 minute to launch. Turn up the volume. You can hear the windows shaking in the command center

40:00 - Live shot off the booster showing its return to Starbase splashing down roughly 2 miles offshore. Excellent views all the way to splashdown

1:20:00 - After deploying 20 Starlink satellites Starship starts reentry

1:37:50 - Starship reentry continues splashing down 1:40:20 in the Indian Ocean, a perfect splashdown this time. Drone views end 1:46:30


Starship Live

Great event yesterday!!

Thank you Orion for the chronological account and ongoing coverage.

I agree soot. Awesome. for the updates Orion.

Thanks Orion.