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


! LIVE- 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

ADDED: 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

ADDED: 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 - Starbase Live

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 possible 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. No other movement at this time. With 3 days left to launch I would expect some movement rolling the booster and Starship back to the launch pad very soon or the launch date will get pushed further back - SpaceX's Starship Launch Coverage


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

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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


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

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. It sits on the side of the tower at this time waiting to be stacked

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. More on that tomorrow

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

Starbase Live

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":

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. The Tank Farm is behind a massive concrete wall

2:05:00 - 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


Starship launch date as of now has not changed - 5/21

SpaceX's Starship Launch Coverage