Starbase activities (2025-04-01):

• Mar 31st cryo delivery tally. Cryo deliveries continue.
• Busy day!
• 1-hour road delay is posted for Apr 1st between 04:00 and 10:00 for transport from the factory to the pad.
• Pad A: B14-2 rolls out to the launch site. (NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX)
• B14-2 is lifted onto the launch mount. (NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Gisler)
• B14-2 has a “flown hardware” sticker. (Anderson / Starship Gazer)
• Pad B: Gantry construction continues, and a manifold has been installed. (Starship Gazer, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4)
• Chopsticks work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Flame trench construction continues. Scaffolding is lowered into the flame trench, we get a peek at a stringer, and the final flame diverter frame is lowered. (Gisler)
• Tank farm: Construction and plumbing work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler 5, Gisler 6, Gisler 7)
• Blast wall is poured. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Other: A pink crane is sighted. (Gisler)
• Reassembly of the black LR11000 crane begins. (Gisler)
• Concrete for the roundabout is poured. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Large pipes are being entrenched on Highway 4 opposite the pad. (Gisler)
• Build site: Raptors are moved from Sanchez to Starfactory, presumably for S35. (Ringwatchers, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Highbay deconstruction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Large plumbing parts destined for Sanchez are delivered to the pad. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (closeup))
• Launch mount B and flame diverter are still at Sanchez.
• Massey’s: Multiple boom lifts of workers are observed at the mystery circular test structure. (Gisler)

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.

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)

Starbase activities (2025-04-30):

• Apr 29th cryo delivery tally.
• Quiet day. No new road closures or delays posted.
• Massey’s: S35 cryo test overnight, but no static fire. (ViX)
• S35 is still at Massey’s. (Starship Gazer 1)
• Other: Launch mount B hold-down clamp thoughts and animation teaser from Ryan Hansen Space.

This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:

Starship Development Thread May 2025

Starbase activities (2025-04-02):

• Apr 1st cryo delivery tally.
• Relatively calm compared to busyness of the previous day.
• Two audible igniter tests are performed overnight. (ViX)
• The launch mount work platform and the portable toilets depart from the launch site. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• cnunez posts recent photos of the Highbay deconstruction, Pad B gantry construction, roundabout construction, and a closeup of the electrical control building for the Pad B tank farm.
• Road closures still possible for Apr 3rd and 4th, from 07:00 to 19:00, for non-flight testing activities, presumably for a static fire of B14-2.

Starbase activities (2025-04-03):

• Apr 2nd cryo delivery tally.
• Apr 2nd addendum: Booster transport stand departs from the launch site. (ViX)
• Main event: Static fire of booster 14-2.
• Road closure for Apr 3rd is amended to begin at 04:00 instead of 07:00, and the closure is scheduled.
• Pad A chopsticks are raised to max height. (ViX)
• Detonation suppression system is tested. (ViX)
• Overpressure notice is delivered to residents. (NSF / Mary)
• Road is closed, and pad is clear. (ViX)
• Propellant loading begins. (LabPadre, )
• NSF go live.
• Engine chill. (ViX)
• Propellant loading continues. (ViX)
• B14-2 performs an ~8-second static fire.
• Videos: NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, SpaceX
• Photos: NSF / Mary, Starship Gazer (pre-test), Starship Gazer (post-test), Ramirez, SpaceX
• SpaceX confirm that 29 of 33 engines are flight-proven.
• Road is open. (ViX)
• Booster transport stand and launch mount work platform arrive at the launch site. (ViX)
• Apr 3rd road closure is concluded. Apr 4th road closure is revoked.
• Other: The foot of the black LR11000 crane departs from the launch site. (ViX)
• Two more pump sumps are delivered to the tank farm expansion area. (ViX)

Flight 9:

• SpaceX confirm B14 will be the booster for this flight.

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:

• Possible flame trench excavation activity at LC-39A. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2)

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)

Starbase activities (2025-04-06):

• Apr 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: More pipes for the Pad B deluge system arrive at the launch site. (ViX)
• Scaffolding and wind protection is erected in preparation for welding stuff to the deluge tanks. (Gisler)
• Another part of the Pad B flame diverter arrives at the launch site. (ViX, AshleyKillip)
• Gisler posts a couple short 4k videos: Starbase pan view of launch pad area, Last week at Starbase 1
• Roundabout construction continues. (Gisler)
• Build site: The LTM11200 crane is being assembled behind the Highbay, presumably to resume demolition. (Gisler)
• Work on the Pad B launch mount and flame diverter continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• B12 and B15 still in the Rocket Garden. (Gisler)

Starbase activities (2025-04-07):

• Apr 5th 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:

• Work on the LC-39A flame trench continues. (Stranger 1, Stranger 2, Stranger 3, soar.earth)

Starbase activities (2025-04-08):

• Apr 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Tank farm work continues. The fifth out of six vaporizers is removed, laid down on a trailer for transport. The pump from position 5 (previously in position 2) is removed, and new LOX pump and pump motor are installed in position 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Work on the roundabout continues. (Gisler)
• Three step-down transformers are delivered. (Gisler)
• Build site: S37’s A3:4 section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. This will make the ship 17 out of 21 rings tall. (ViX)
• Test tank aft section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (ViX, Golden’s thoughts)
• S36 undergoing heatshield work in Megabay 2. (NSF 1, NSF 2)
• Highbay demolition continues. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, cnunez)
• Work on the flame diverter for Pad B continues. (Gisler)
• A few panels are removed from Starfactory. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• B14-2 moves from the launch site to Megabay 1. (NSF 1, NSF 2, LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Beyer)
• S35’s first aft flap is lifted into Megabay 2 for installation. (threelonmusketeers, u/Planatus666)
• Massey’s: B17 moves from Megabay 1 to Massey’s. (NSF, LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3)
• Tank farm spools up. (ViX)
• B17 cryo testing begins with the methane tank. (ViX, NSF)

April 9th addenda:

• Apr 9th cryo delivery tally.
• NSF timelapse of B17 cryo test at Massey’s.
• Methane tank is partially filled a bit before 19:20, both tanks fully filled by 20:40.
• S37 center methane transfer tube/downcomer is lifted into Megabay 2.

Starbase activities (2025-04-10):

• Build site: Demolition of the Stargate building begins. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Anderson 3 (“do not shoot the glass”), Anderson 4)
• Highbay demolition continues. (Anderson)
• S36 heatshield work continues in Megabay 2. (Starship Gazer)
• S40 header tank is sighted in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer)
• NSF post a nice closeup video of B14 gridfin rotation from earlier this week.
• Launch site: At the Pad B tank farm, the pump sump from position #5 position is removed and replaced. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• 5th and 6th cryo pumps are delivered. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4)
• The flame diverter crossbeam is lowered into the Pad B flame trench. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Gisler)
• The south half of the roundabout is completed and open for traffic. (Starship Gazer, Gisler)
• 1-hour road delay is posted for between Apr 11th 23:00 and Apr 12th 03:00 for transport from factory to pad.

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)

Starbase activities (2025-04-11):

• Apr 10th cryo delivery tally.
• Massey’s: B17 remains at Massey’s. The 00:00 to 04:00 road delay went unused. (ViX)
• Build site: Overnight, demolition of the Stargate building continues. (NSF, ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, clwphoto1)
• Highbay demolition continues. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, cnunez)
• A section of the Pad B flame deflector is on the move at Sanchez, likely pending rollout to the launch site. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Beyer)
• Both halves of the Pad B flame deflector depart for the launch site. (NSF, Gomez)
• Launch site: Work on the Pad B gantry continues. (Gisler)
• New miscellaneous 4k video of the launch site from Starship Gazer.

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)

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.