Starbase activities (2025-01-29):

• Jan 28th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: Disassembly of the chopsticks assembly jig is completed. (ViX)
• Closeups of the chopsticks on Tower B. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Sanchez: Work on launch mount B continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Other: Comparison of all three Starship launch towers. (Priel)
• RGV Aerial post a labeled flyover photo of the launch site.

Starship lunar Human Landing System:

• “NASA’s Kent Chojnacki says on the same panel that for the HLS uncrewed demo mission, SpaceX will have to demonstrate landing, surviving on the surface for a couple hours, and then take off. He adds SpaceX will then attempt a second landing.” (Foust 1, Foust 2)

Starbase activities (2025-01-28):

• Jan 27th cryo delivery tally.
• Jan 27th addendum: Timelapses of chopsticks lift from LabPadre Sapphire, Nerdle, and VR cameras.
• Overnight, the arms of the chopsticks carriage are attached to the skates on Tower B. (Priel)
• In Starfactory, sliding plates have been added to the catch points on Test Tank 16. (ViX)
• Pad B: Chopsticks are lowered and the yellow LR11000 crane is disconnected. (LabPadre, ViX)
• Workers are connecting up the cableway. (Anderson)
• Disassembly of the chopsticks assembly jig begins. (ViX)
• Build site: Two raptors enter Starfactory, a S35 LOX section and a transfer tube jig with tubes enter Megabay 2. Within Megabay 2, a raptor moves towards S34, and another transfer tube moves towards S35. (ViX)
• Other: RGV Aerial post a flyover photo of a tank being loaded/unloaded. Exact location not specified, possibly Brownsville Port, as a rail line is visible in the top left.
• Updated Knaggs render of Pad B with chopsticks, launch mount, and flame trench.

Starbase activities (2025-01-27):

• Jan 26th cryo delivery tally.
• The yellow LR11000 crane is hooked up to the chopsticks. (ViX, LabPadre)
• Crane takes the weight of the chopsticks. One of the cables is observed twisting. (NSF, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Chopsticks are lifted onto Tower B. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Priel, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gisler video, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, NSF livestream)
• RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the launch site and an annotated photo of Massey’s.
• New Launch Mount B renders from lewisknaggs42: Tweet 1, tweet 2 (hold-down clamp), tweet 3 (flame bucket), tweet 4 (water-cooled plate), tweet 5 (water manifold), tweet 6 (piles and rebar), tweet 7.

NSF are live for potential chopsticks installation on Tower B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b2tnbsrfqY

Starbase activities (2025-01-25):

• Jan 24th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: Crews work on securing the chopsticks prior to lift. (ViX)
• Build site: Pipes for water cooling are installed on Launch Mount B. (Mary)
• RGV Aerial post flyover photos of the build site, launch site, Massey’s, Pad B, and Sanchez.

KSC:

• LC-39A: Chopstick movement observed, possibly a manual movement for the installation of new pistons. (ViX, Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Anderson 3)

Starbase activities (2025-01-26):

• Jan 25th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: Chopsticks closeup photo from cnunez.
• Both LR11000 cranes are disconnected from the chopsticks. (ViX)
• Alternate angle photo of chopsticks from Gisler.
• The yellow LR11000 crane is reconfigured for chopsticks lift. (ViX, cnunez)
• Cement (concrete?) is poured at the flame trench. (Gisler)
• Build site: Work on Launch Mount B continues. (Gisler)
• RGV Aerial post a flyover photo of Pad B flame trench, along with a comparison of Starfactory between January 2024 and 2025.

KSC:

• LC-39A: Land is being cleared, likely for construction of the air separation unit. (Stranger 1, Stranger 2)

Flight 7:

• B14 performed a more aggressive landing profile, chopstick controls have been updated accordingly, and three videos with additional angles are posted, including onboard footage. (SpaceX)

Starbase activities (2025-01-24):

• Jan 23rd cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Pad B chopsticks are installed on the carriage, and locked in place with the drawworks pin. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, LabPadre, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Priel 1, Priel 2, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Gisler, House)
• Work on the tank farm continues. (Gisler)
• Build site: Two gridfins move from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (ViX)
• Gisler posts recent high-resolution photos of S34 and S36.
• Work on launch mount B continues. (Gisler)
• Brownsville Port: An assortment of new tanks have arrived. (Starship Gazer)

Starbase activities (2025-01-23):

• Jan 22nd cryo delivery tally.
• Jan 22nd addenda: Work is observed on Pad A chopsticks, Pad B drawworks pin is test fitted on chopsticks carriage. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad B chopsticks move towards assembly stand. (ViX)
• Launch site: Scaffolding is erected next to chopsticks carriage. (ViX)
• The yellow LR11000 crane is rigged up to the first chopstick. (ViX)
• Two new vapourizers are installed at the tank farm. (ViX)
• Build site: The first LOX tank section (A2:3) of S35’s section moves into Megabay 2. (ViX)
• cnunez posts a recent photo of S38 nosecone in Starfactory. (cnunez)
• Massey’s: Hammer posts an aerial photo of S34’s recent cryo test. (Hammer)

Starbase activities (2025-01-21):

• Jan 20th cryo delivery tally.
• Rainy day, not too much action reported.
• Starkitty is sighted, despite inclement weather. (ViX)
• S36 nosecone tiling continues in Starfactory. (cnunez)
• Closeup of chopsticks at Pad B. (cnunez)

Flight 7:

• SpaceX post photos of hot-staging and booster catch. (SpaceX)
• Golden highlights a lifting aerocover panel. (Golden 1, Golden 2)
• Updated B14 and S33 raptor tracking diagrams from Ringwatchers.

Starbase activities (2025-01-16):

Launch site:

• Road closure is scheduled. (BocaRoad)
• Road closure is in place. (ViX)
• Helicopter flyby. (ViX, NSF)
• Chopsticks open and landing rails rise. (LabPadre, ViX, Priel)
• Pad is cleared. (ViX)
• Two fast boats are on duty to chase away wayward boats. (Cornwell)
• Tank farm venting. (ViX, Priel)
• CEO arrives. (elonjet)
• Launch mount and tower venting. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, NSF)
• T-0 is pushed to 16:37 CT. (SpaceX)
• Propellant load. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• Flight 7 happens, B14 is lands on the chopsticks. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, NSF, Mary, Gray, Gisler, Doherty, Dodd, clwphoto1, SpaceX)
• B14 is lowered back onto launch mount. (LabPadre, Priel)
• Compared to Flight 5, Flight 7 shortened the quick disconnect reconnect time from T+6h9m to T+2h26m. (Caton)
• Booster vapour cone. (Beyer, GroundTruthPics, cnunez, Cosmic Perspective, Kraus)

Flight 7:

• S33 experiences a RUD shortly before SECO. (SpaceX)
• S33 reentry videos. (deankolson87 (Turks and Caicos), timmaayd (Turks and Caicos), realcamtem (Dominican Republic), FlyerXT (Caribbean Sea), _thatonedolphin (Airplane, possibly Jet Blue or Iberia, xrae (Disney Treasure cruise ship), adavenport354 (Turks and Caicos))
• Compilation of debris videos, (Scott Manley)
• Flights are diverted. (Manley)
• FAA state that some debris fell “outside of the identified closed aircraft hazard areas”. SpaceX state that “Any surviving pieces of debris would have fallen into the designated hazard area”. (Beil, SpaceX (current, archive))
• Fire observed coming from aft flap hinge. (Manley, Golden 1, Golden 2)
• Elon: “Preliminary indication is that we had an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall that was large enough to build pressure in excess of the vent capacity. Apart from obviously double-checking for leaks, we will add fire suppression to that volume and probably increase vent area. Nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.”

Build site:

• Raptor installation platform moves to the scrap yard. (ViX)
• Booster transport stand moves to the ring yard. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Booster transport stand moves to the roadblock. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• RGV Aerial post a recent (Jan 11th) flyover photo of Launch Mount B at Sanchez.

Starbase activities (2025-01-22):

• Jan 21st cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: A few panels have blown off of the parking garage. (Mary)
• Test Tank 16 moves from Sanchez to Starfactory. (ViX)
• A downcomer tube moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1, likely for B17. (ViX)
• Launch site: A walk platform is installed on the Pad B chopsticks carriage. (ViX)
• Installation of chopsticks carriage skates on Tower B continues, possibly complete. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Other: Construction on Starbase mall is underway. (cnunez)

Florida:

• The FAA publish SpaceX’s proposal for GigaBay construction at Roberts Road facility. Height 380 feet (116 m), completion date 2026 August. (Beil 1, Beil 2, FAA)
• Gigabay size comparison and floor area diagram from Knaggs, speculative render from Caton.

Starbase activities (2025-01-17):

• Jan 17th road closure is revoked. (BocaRoad)
• 1-hour road delay is posted for Jan 18th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from pad to factory (presumably B14 rollback).
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Jan 19th and 20th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to pad (possibly for chopsticks carriage B).
• Launch site: Overnight, the booster transport stand arrives at the launch site. (ViX)
• Post-launch photos of launch mount and B14. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, GroundTruth)
• Engineers are sighted inspecting booster and chopsticks. (Starship Gazer)
• Both the black and the yellow LR11000 cranes are raised. (ViX)
• The yellow LR11000 begins reassembling the chopstick assembly jig. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Anderson)
• Booster quick disconnect disconnects. (ViX)
• B14 is moved from launch mount to transport stand. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Mary, NSF)

Massey’s:

• S34 performs a partial and a full cryo test. (ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel)

Flight 7:

• FAA and SpaceX to perform mishap investigation. (Foust, Beil, FAA)
• Reports of debris falling / washing up in Turks and Caicos. (Robinsmdoka, JevonWilson3, ColeWZY, GraceBayFan)
• mcrs987 speculates that asymmetric engine failure may have altered the trajectory of S33.

KSC:

• Expansion of the Roberts Road facility continues, and parts for constructing a new launch mount are visible. (Stranger)

Starbase activities (2025-01-19):

• Jan 18th cryo delivery tally.
• Quiet Sunday.
• S34 moves from Massey’s to Megabay 2 and is lifted onto one of the work stands. (ViX, Priel)

Flight 7:

• Marine traffic indicates that recovery of the B14 hotstaging adapter is being attempted. (mcrs987)
• Debris continues to wash up on the beaches of Turks and Caicos. (u/Bobbyzhak)

Other:

• Elon reply to Kraus regarding booster reuse: “We probably get to zero refurbishment next year”

Starbase activities (2025-01-18):

• Jan 17th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: B14 moves moves from launch site to production site. (ViX, LabPadre, Priel, Gomez 1, Gomez 2)
• Chopsticks carriage moves from Sanchez to Pad B. (ViX, LabPadre, Priel, Hammer, cnunez)
• Chopsticks carriage is lifted onto the assembly jig. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Priel 1, Priel 2, Gisler)
• Raptor installation platform arrives. (ViX)
• Flame trench work continues at Pad B. (Gisler)
• Pad A doesn’t look too toasted. (Gisler)
• Build site: S35 common dome moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
• Starkitty is sighted :) (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Mystery equipment is delivered to Starfactory. (ViX)
• Jan 18th road delay is amended to 2 hours between 20:00 and 00:00.
• Water-cooled pipes are being installed on the Pad B flame bucket. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Massey’s: S34 performs another full cryo test, likely the final test before rollback. (ViX 1, Priel, Gisler, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• S34 begins rollback to production site. (ViX)

Flight 7:

• Kraus notes that B14 engines fared better than B12, confirmed by Elon
• mcrs987 animation of estimated S33 orientation based on the timing of engine failures and rotation rate at breakup. (Details, soundtrack)

Starbase activities (2025-01-15):

• Jan 14th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Chopsticks close. (ViX)
• Build site: Overnight, B12 moves from Megabay 1 to Rocket Garden. Engines have been removed, but some engine shielding remains. (ViX)
• Scaffolding removal has started on the chopsticks for Pad B. (Gisler)
• Mystery structure under construction at Sanchez. (ChromeKiwi)
• 2-hour road delay is posted for Jan 15th from 12:00 to 15:00 for transportation from factory to Massey’s.
• S34 rolls out to Massey’s. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Priel 1, Priel 2, Gray, Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (aft flap), Gisler 3 (fore flap), Gisler 4, clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2, Ramirez 1, Ramirez 2)

Flight 7:

• Due to winds, now targeting Jan 16th. (SpaceX, Diez 1, Diez 2)
• Jan 15th road closure is revoked.

Other:

• Alleged photo of a Starship payload bay during reentry, possibly S29 (Flight 4). (BocasBrain)

Starbase activities (2025-01-20):

• Jan 19th cryo delivery tally.
• Chopsticks arrive at Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, Gomez, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, NSF 5 (road sign obstruction), NSF 6)
• Chopsticks assembly jig assembly continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Chopsticks carriage skates are installed on Tower B. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Pad B flame trench diagrams. (AshleyKillip)
• Ryan Hansen speculates that the first ship catch will be with Tower B, not Tower A. (Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5, tweet 6, tweet 7, tweet 8, tweet 9, tweet 10, tweet 11, tweet 12, tweet 13, tweet 14) TL;DR: The catch points on S33 were a better match for the new chopsticks.

Flight 7:

• Multi camera comparison of booster catch during flight 5 (B12) and flight 7 (B14). (Priel)