FAQ
- When next launch? (Flight 14) NET August.
- When previous launch? (Flight 13) Starship flight 13 launched on 2026-07-24.
- What was the result? Successful liftoff and staging. B20 had a good boostback burn, but landing burn had insufficient engines. S40 performs perfectly, with nominal payload deploy and in-space raptor relight. Ship reentry, landing burn, are nominal, and S40 remains intact after splashdown.
Previous Flights
Click to expand
- Flight 1: S24 and B7. First full stack launch, RUD before stage separation.
- Flight 2: S25 and B9. Successful stage separation, booster RUD during boostback burn, ship RUD shortly prior to scheduled SECO.
- Flight 3: S28 and B10. Booster performs a successful boostback burn, but experiences RUD during landing burn. Ship makes it past SECO, but loses attitude control and is destroyed on reentry.
- Flight 4: S29 and B11. First successful booster water landing. Ship survives reentry despite burn-through on forward flap, and performs a successful water landing.
- Flight 5: S30 and B12. First booster catch with chopsticks. Ship performs successful water landing.
- Flight 6: S31 and B13. Booster offshore divert due to damage to catch tower during launch. Ship performs successful water landing.
- Flight 7: S33 and B14-1. First V2 Ship launch. Harmonic oscillation on ship causes RUD before SECO. Booster is caught by chopsticks.
- Flight 8: S34 and B15-1. Engine failure on ship causes RUD before SECO. Booster is caught by chopsticks.
- Flight 9: S35 and B14-2. First booster reflight. Ship makes it past SECO, but loses attitude control and is destroyed on reentry. Booster RUD upon landing burn startup prior to planned splashdown.
- Flight 10: S37 and B16. All mission objectives fulfilled. First V2 ship to make it through reentry to landing burn and splashdown. First successful deployment of Starlink simulators. Booster successfully tested landing without one centre engine, using an engine on the middle ring to compensate.
- Flight 11: S38 and B15-2. All mission objectives fulfilled. Ship performs successful landing burn and splashdown, despite intentional missing tiles on heatshield. Second successful deployment of Starlink simulators. Booster successfully tested a 13-5-3 engine landing profile.
- Flight 12: First V3 launch. Successful liftoff. Booster boostback burn is incomplete, and landing burn fails. Ship experiences an R-vac out shortly after stage separation, but limps to orbit on 5/6 engines. In-space raptor relight is cancelled, but payload deployment is nominal. Ship reentry, landing burn, and splashdown are nominal.
- Fight 13: Successful liftoff and staging. B20 had a good boostback burn, but landing burn had insufficient engines. S40 performs perfectly, with nominal payload deploy and in-space raptor relight. Ship reentry, landing burn, are nominal, and S40 remains intact after splashdown.
Quick Links
Nerdle Cam | Lab Cam | Sapphire Cam | Sentinel Cam | Rover Cam | Rover 2.0 Cam | Rocket Ranch Cam | Plex Cam | NSF Starbase Live | afarTV Florida Gigabay Live
Starship Dev June | Starship Dev May | Flight 12 | Starship Dev April | Starship Dev March | Starship Dev February
2026-04-27 SpaceX Starship Update Video
Road closures, road delays, and beach closures
Vehicle Status
*As of 2026-07-01
| Ship | Location | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| S39 (Ship v3 SN1) | Indian Ocean | Destroyed | Stacking took place from Aug 16th through Nov 15th. Aft flaps installed Jan 19th and 20th. Cryo tested at Massey’s Feb 26th through Mar 8th. Static fired on Apr 14th. Stacked on B19 May 9th. Wet dress rehearsal May 11th. Cryo tested at Massey’s May 16th. Partial WDR May 20th. Launched May 22nd. |
| S39.1 (test tank) | Massey’s | Testing | |
| S40 | Massey’s | Static fire testing | Stacking took place from Nov 12th through March 2nd. Cryo testing from May 3rd through May 6th. Engine testing Jun 24th through 26th. |
| S41 | Megabay 2 | Pending engine install | April 17th: Pez Dispenser moved into MB2. April 20th: Nosecone+Payload Bay stack N:3 moved into MB2 and later that day lifted over the Pez Dispenser. Later that day the Pez Dispenser was installed. April 21st: Forward Dome section FX:4 moved into MB2. April 28th: Common Dome Section CX:3 moved into MB2. May 2nd: Section A2:3 moved into MB2. Cryo testing Jun 28th to present. |
| S42 to S46 | Starfactory | Nosecones under construction plus tiling | January 19th: Photos of nosecones inside the Starfactory (note that S44 isn’t visible because it’s been moved elsewhere). January 28th: Latest photos of the nosecones |
| Booster | Location | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18.1 | Massey’s | Testing | |
| B18.3 | Massey’s | Testing | |
| B19 | Gulf of Mexico | Destroyed | Stacking took place from Nov 25th through Dec 23rd. Cryo tested Feb 1st through Feb 9th. 10-engine static fire Mar 16th, 33-engine static fire Apr 15th. Wet dress rehearsal Apr 16th. 33-engine static fire May 7th. Wet dress rehearsal May 11th. Partial WDR May 20th. Launched May 22nd. |
| B20 | Megabay 1 | Pending static fire | Stacking took place from Feb 5th through Apr 30th. Cryo tested Jun 6th through Jun 8th. |
| B21 | Megabay 1 | Stacking | Stacking began Jun 4th, completed Jun 28th. |
| B22 | Megabay 1 | Stacking | After B18’s failure, Mark Federschmidt (one of the members of the Starship booster team) made some tweets which mentioned B19 to B22 being under construction (meaning sections inside the Starfactory). Stacking started Jun 29th. |
Resources
- LabPadre Channel | NASASpaceFlight.com Channel
- NSF: Boca Chica Production Updates Thread
- NSF: Elon Starship tweet compilation
- SpaceX: Website Starship page | Starship Users Guide (2020, PDF)
- FAA: SpaceX Starship Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
- FAA: Temporary Flight Restrictions NOTAM list
- NASA: Starship Reentry Observation (Technical Report)
- Hwy 4 & Boca Chica Beach Closures (May not be available outside US)
- Production Progress Infographics by @RingWatchers
- Raptor Tracker by @SpaceRhin0
- Acronym definitions by Decronym
- Tim Dodd: Starbase Tour with Elon Musk, Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Tim Dodd: 2022 Elon Musk Interviews, Starbase/Ship Updates | Launch Tower | Merlin Engine | Raptor Engine
- Tim Dodd 2024 Elon Musk Interviews: Starfactory tour | Pad tour and post-IFT-4 interview
- Tim Dodd 2025 pre-Flight-9 Elon interview
This thread is no longer being updated, and has been replaced by:
Starship Development Thread August 2026
Or for shadowtofu :) https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/65142150?sort=New
2026-07-31:
- Massey’s: The grid fin test jig moves from the production site to Massey’s. (ViX, StarshipGazer, Gisler, mymatrixplug, Blobifie)
- Production site: The S43.1 nosecone is stacked on its forward section. (ViX, StarshipGazer)
- A nosecone with a circular feature near the tip is observed in Starfactory. (StarshipGazer)
- McGregor: R3.20X leaves the testing site. (SpaceRhin0)
- R3.139 leaves the testing site. This engine was thought to be have been installed on B20, but must have been one of the engines swapped out between the first and last flight attempt. (SpaceRhin0)
- Flight 13: Norman Ranger arrives at the location of S40 and Go Australis, and begins conducting proximity operations. (interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2, interstellargw 3, mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2, mcrs987 3, mcrs987 4, mcrs987 5, mcrs987 6, Blobifie, )
2026-07-30:
- Massey’s: Road delay for “Production to Masseys” is posted for Jul 30th 23:59 to Jul 31st 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
- A new frame is lifted into the “supercrusher” structure. (ViX)
- A cardinal is observed. (RGV Aerial)
- Production site: B22’s aft dome (section AX:2) enters Megabay 1. (ViX, Blobifie)
- Gigabay construction continues. (mymatrixplug)
- Photos of S43.1 in Megabay 2. Nosecone is stacked on forward section. (StarshipGazer, mymatrixplug)
- Launch site: Boom sections and counterweights are delivered for the SpaceX-owned LR11000 crane. (ViX)
- Another section for the Pad 1 launch mount is delivered. (StarshipGazer)
- Construction of the Pad 1 flame trench walls continue. (Killip)
- The Pad 2 flame trench is being reinforced with additional steel plates. (Killip)
- Flight 13: Photo of S40 taken from a Starlink V3 satellite, and confirmation that the satellites fired their ion engines. (Starlink)
- GO AUSTRALIS still holding position near S40, NORMAND RANGER (490 km away) and SKIMMER TIDE (700 km away) still en route. (mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2, mcrs987 3, Blobifie)
- Flight 14 NET Aug 20th, per compass.atfm.aero, slide 34. (pptx warning)
2026-07-29:
- Pad 2: The torsion bar is removed from the left chopstick and lowered to the ground. (ViX)
- A new torsion bar is installed. (ViX)
- Pad 1: Steel for the base of the tower is delivered. (ViX)
- Production site: B22’s LOX landing tank enters Megabay 1. (ViX, Testflight)
- Test article S43.1 has been transferred to a transport stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, RGV Aerial)
- S42 is moved from the turntable to the centre work stand. (ViX)
- An autonomous lawnmower is observed outside Starfactory. (Avid Space)
- A corner segment for the Pad 1 launch mount is observed at Sanchez. (Gisler, Anderson)
- McGregor: R3.194 left the testing area R3.130 arrived. This was the first sighting of R3.130 since it was removed from B20. (SpaceRhin0)
- R3.130 leaves the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
- Flight 13: “The ship landing was precise, meaning that it would have been caught by the tower arms” (Elon)
- Landing burn buoy video. (Starlink)
- SKIMMER TIDE and NORMAND RANGER are both en route to the location of S40 and GO AUSTRALIS. (interstellargw, Killip, mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2, mcrs987 3, mcrs987 4)
- Florida: LC-39A chopsticks rise to the top of the tower. (wvmattz)
2026-07-28:
- Production site: The new nosecone test article (“S43.1 QUAL”) in Megabay 2 is moved from the right side to the centre stand, then back to the right side. (ViX)
- The Pez-dispenser-like stand enters Megabay 2, the mystery trapezoidal stand is lifted onto it, and the nosecone section is lifted over both. (ViX)
- The entire assembly is then moved to the right side. (ViX)
- Diagram of the assembly. (Killip)
- Gigabay construction continues. (RGV Aerial)
- Pad 1: Launch mount legs two of four arrive. (ViX)
- Scrapping of the ship quick disconnect arm is completed. (ViX, Blobifie)
- Pad 2: Chopstick landing rails are raised, three extension-retraction tests of the booster hold-down clamps are performed, and the chopstick rails are lowered. (ViX)
- McGregor: R3.194 moves towards the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
- Flight 13: Landing burn and splashdown video. (SpaceX)
- S40 is still afloat. The Starship Recovery team continues to take pictures. (SpaceX, Elon, TurkeyBeaver, mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2, mcrs987 3)
- “We’re sending a ship out to recover Starship” (Elon)
2026-07-05:
- Jul 4th addendum: Fireworks. (ViX 1, ViX 2, StarbaseTX, colleenadastra, Gisler)
- White tiles were observed on a nosecone in Starfactory. Usage of pins instead of RTV silicone adhesive is noted. (cnunez, Killip)
- Massey’s: Road delay for “Masseys to Production” is posted for Jul 5th 23:59 to Jul 6th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
- S41’s aft and forward flaps are retracted. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
2026-07-10:
- Jul 10th addendum: The Pad 2 booster quick disconnects attached to B20, booster venting was observed, the transport stand was staged near the D1 gate, the Chopsticks released the booster and were raised to the top of the tower, and the ship quick disconnect arm swung in.
- Pad 2: B20 testing. (NSF full livestream)
- Tank farm is active. (J_A_Rees_94)
- Booster transport stand retreats. (NSF)
- Road is closed. (TrackingTheSB)
- Propellant load begins. (TrackingTheSB, NSF, J_A_Rees_94)
- B20 performs a ~24-second static fire. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ENNEPS, TrackingTheSB, Elon / NSF, RGV Aerial, Cphillips_03, interstellargw, BoosterTribe, J_A_Rees_94, SpaceX)
- Pressure data 6 miles (10 km) from the pad. (Avid Space)
- Road opens, the booster transport stand returns to the Pad, the ship quick disconnect arm swings out, the chopsticks are lowered around B20, and chopstick landing rail tests are performed. (ViX)
- Chopsticks return to the top of the tower and perform more tests. (ViX, ViX 2)
- Road delay for “Pad to Production” is posted for Jul 11th 02:00 to 08:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
- Flight 13: Landing area. (www.sealagom.com)
- Other: 34-minute documentary on the issues leading up to Flight 12. (SpaceX)
My favorite status is “Stacking”, makes me so happy. Duplo/“Lincoln Logs”-based childhood influence.
Cheers for posting all this.
Thanks! Glad to know my efforts are appreciated :)
2026-07-03:
- Massey’s: S41 moves from Megabay 2 to Massey’s. (NSF, Avid Space, colleenadastra, )
- S41’s forward and aft flaps are actuated. (ViX)
- Build site: The Pez dispenser mechanism for S42 arrives at Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S42’s nosecone moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (Jordanguidry6)
- Stacking of S42’s nosecone and forward section is underway. (ViX 1, ViX 2, StarshipGazer)
- Status of the unusual nosecone in Starfactory. Six smaller flanges have been added. (StarshipGazer)
- Launch site: Plumbing deliveries continue. (ViX)
- McGregor: New flyover photos indicate new development down the road from the large site on the west side of the testing facility. (Cuker)
2026-07-04:
- No notable activities reported Jul 4th.
- Jul 3rd addenda: B22’s A4:4 section entered Megabay 1. (ViX)
- S42’s nosecone, payload section, and Pez dispenser have been stacked. Stacking with the forward dome section is likely underway. (ViX)
- Other: Stacked frames from Flight 12 highlight the tower avoidance manoeuvre and initiation of the gravity turn. (RyanHansenSpace)
2026-07-06:
- Massey’s: Overnight, S41 moves from Massey’s to the build site. (NSF, Avid Space, colleenadastra, Gomez)
- Build site: The ship lifting jig is raised inside Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S41 enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
- S41 is transferred to a work stand. (ViX)
- Pad 1: Delivery of trench wall sections continues. (ViX)
- Six sections of pipe for the deluge system arrive. (ViX)
- The LR11000 crane lifts the base frame for the ground support equipment bunker into place. (ViX)
- Pad 2: The booster quick disconnects are extended, purged and retracted. (ViX)
- A damper is been lifted to the end of the right chopstick. (ViX)
2026-07-07:
- Pad 1: The ship quick disconnect arm is removed. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler, TrackingTheSB, Guidry 1, Guidry 2, Guidry 3)
- Pad 2: Chopstick testing. (efraser77, NSF)
- LOX booster quick disconnect is purged and retracted. (TrackingTheSB, efraser77)
- Build site: The V3 pez dispenser loader moves from Sanchez to Starfactory.
- Closeup photo of S40’s docking hardware. (cnunez, Killip)
- Flight 13: NET July 14th, per FAA advisory. (fly.faa.gov, archive, StarshipGazer, Caton, lewisknaggs42)
- New temporary flight restrictions indicate ship static fire NET Jul 8th and booster static fire NET July 9th. (lewisknaggs42)
- McGregor: Past week’s Raptor tracking summary. (SpaceRhin0)
2026-07-08:
- Jul 7th addenda: Pad 2 chopsticks testing. Flexing of the tower is noted. (ViX, DeffGeff)
- Testing of the Pad 2 launch mount clamp arms and booster quick disconnects.
- Launch site: The third basement section for the Pad 1 ground support equipment bunker is lifted into position, and the main body of the SpaceX-owned LR11000 crane is moved behind Tower 1. (ViX)
- Beach closures are posted for Jul 9th 01:00 to 23:00 and Jul 10th 07:00 to 19:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
- Road delay for “Production to Pad” is posted for Jul 9th 01:00 to 05:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
- Build site: Pad 1 flame bucket and launch mount hardware tracking diagram. (Killip)
- The booster transport stand arrives. (TrackingTheSB)
- Flight 13: Notices to mariners and airmen indicate that launch is NET Jul 15th. (ViX, wvmattz, lewisknaggs42)
- Florida: SLC-37 tower module 5 of 9 is stacked. (Bergeron)
2026-07-09:
- Build site: Booster transport stand enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
- Megabay 1 door opens, B20 is disconnected from overhead crane. (TrackingTheSB 1, TrackingTheSB 2)
- B20 emerges from Megabay 1. (ViX, StarshipGazer, TrackingTheSB)
- B22’s A5:4 section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (ViX)
- B22’s A5:4 section is stacked. (ViX, StarshipGazer, J_A_Rees_94, TrackingTheSB)
- Massey’s: Road delay for “Production to Masseys” is posted for Jul 10th 23:59 to July 11th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
- Launch site: The LR11000 crane is lowered. (ViX)
- Booster rollout is delayed, beach closures are updated. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
- B20 moves from Megabay 1 to Pad 2. (NSF 2, NSF 2, Avid Space, ViX, ViX, StarshipGazer, SpaceX, colleenadastra, TrackingTheSB 1, TrackingTheSB 2, Gisler, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, cnunez, NSF full livestream)
- R3.165 is observed on B20. (ViX)
- B20 is lifted onto the Pad 2 launch mount. (Avid Space, ViX 1, ViX 2, StarshipGazer, TrackingTheSB 1, TrackingTheSB 2, colleenadastra, wvmattz, Golden)
- It appears that the wiring harnesses around the base of the booster can be removed while the booster is at the launch site. (RyanHansenSpace)
- Florida: VP of Launch Kiko Dontchev shares a recent photo from inside the Gigabay. (TurkeyBeaver)
- Render of booster breakover hardware. (Killip)
- A launch mount segment is staged at Roberts Road pending rollout to SLC-37A. (Bergeron)


