Starbase activities (2024-12-17):

• Dec 16th cryo delivery tally.
• Dec 16th addendum: SpaceX post video and photos of S33 single engine static fire, and confirm it was a test for in-space relight.
• Build site: Overnight, S33 moves from Massey’s to Megabay 2, and lifted onto the left side work platform. (Priel, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, Gisler)
• The first section of the water cooled deck is installed on Launch Mount B. (Starship Gazer, Golden)
• A festive parade occurs. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Starship Gazer, NSF 1, NSF 2, Priel)
• Launch site: “SPACEX” letters are removed. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Golden)
• Tower B video tour. The concrete pipe is still fixed to the tower, welded-on strengthening panels have been added, scaffolding dismantling begins. (ViX)
• Several segments of insulated piping are sighted. (Gisler)
• Lewis Knaggs posts a thread of Pad B flame trench and launch mount renders: Tweet 1, tweet 2, tweet 3, tweet 4, tweet 5, tweet 6.

Flight 7:

• FAA issue launch license modification authorizing the flight 7 mission profile. (Berger, Starship Gazer, NSF, RGV Aerial, FAA)
• Beil summarizes modifications, outcomes, and pending items.
• Chiquita continue to hint at potential payload. (Chiquita 1, Chiquita 2)

Starbase activities (2024-12-16):

• Dec 15th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Work on Pad A launch mount continues. (cnunez)
• Work on Pad B flame trench continues. (Gisler)
• Reinforcement panels for Tower B are delivered. (Anderson / Starship Gazer)
• Build site: A blue ring moves from Massey’s to Starfactory, likely test tank related. (ViX)
• A D-shaped platform moves into Megabay 2. (ViX, NSF)
• Gisler posts photos of Sanchez from the back side, of the deluge system, chopsticks arms, and launch mount.
• Two filler panels are installed on Launch Mount B. (ViX)
• Massey’s: S33 performs a single-engine static fire. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• A 2-hour road delay is posted for Dec 17th from 02:00 to 06:00 or 10:00 to 14:00 for transportation from Massey’s to factory (presumably S33 rollback).
• Additional closures are also listed for Dec 18th and 19th (00:00 to 03:00). (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Two 16-axle SPMTs depart from the build site towards Massey’s. (ViX)

Starbase activities (2024-12-15):

• Dec 14th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: S36 tile application has started. (cnunez)
• Massey’s: S33 performs a static fire. (LabPadre, ViX timelapse, ViX real time, ViX extra fire, Starship Gazer photo, Starship Gazer video, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Mary, Gomez, SpaceX)

Starbase activities (2024-12-14):

• Dec 13th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Work on Pad A launch mount continues. (cnunez)
• Build site: Short video tour. A second work platform is spotted in Megabay 2. (ViX, cnunez)
• Gisler clarifies that launch mount B only appears to be complete externally, and includes a closeup with a human for scale. Additional clarifications from Golden and Schnettler.
• cnunez also posts a photo of launch mount B, though the stated date is likely erroneous.
• Massey’s: S33 performs a partial cryo load test. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Roger S 1, NSF, Roger S 2, cnunez, Gomez)

Starbase activities (2024-12-13):

• Dec 12th addenda: LabPadre video of S33 spin prime at Massey’s.
• Launch site: Overnight, the counterweight tray and weights for the yellow LR11000 are moved from the tank farm to the launch complex. (ViX)
• Also overnight, a second vertical tank is delivered to the launch complex. (ViX)
• The black LR11000 crane lifts two vertical LN2 tanks into position, possible for the Pad B deluge system. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler)
• The second of the recent horizontal LOX tanks is moved into position at the tank farm. (ViX, Gisler)
• S36 pending tile installation in Starfactory. (Gisler)
• Build site: The final rings of B16’s methane section move from Starfactory towards Megabay 1. (ViX)
• Launch mount B looks to be nearing completion of work at Sanchez. (Gisler)
• Rocket garden status: (Gisler) Left to right are (I think): B12, B14.1, S20, S32, SN2, Test Tank 16.
• ChromeKiwi renders of water manifold and flame bucket for Pad B.

Flight 7:

• Chiquita continues to tease future collaboration with SpaceX.

Starbase activities (2024-12-11):

• Dec 10th cryo delivery tally.
• Dec 10th addendum: Notable wind. (ViX)
• Build site: Booster transport stand emerges from Megabay 1 and parks near Starfactory. (ViX)
• Ship stand enters Megabay 2, and S33 is transferred to it. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, NSF)
• S33 moves to Massey’s, and is connected to the ship quick disconnect. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer 1 (windward), Starship Gazer 2 (leeward), Starship Gazer 3, Gomez, Priel, NSF, Ken Fox, SpaceX, Fediverse Starbase Tracker)
• Ring stand moves from Starfactory to Highbay, likely to transport S35 hardware to Megabay 2. (ViX)
• B16 F3 section (methane tank) is staged outside Megabay 1. (ViX, NSF)
• Recent photo of workers inspecting B14. (Doherty)
• Launch site: A road delay is posted for Dec 11th from 16:00 to 19:00 for tank installation, during which time a CH4 tank is installed at the tank farm. (ViX, Starship Gazer, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• The yellow LR11000 crane is reconfigured, seemingly with additional counterweights. (Gisler)
• Other: U.T. Rio Grand Valley has apparently been authorized to sell the Stargate building to SpaceX. (Golden, utsystem.edu (PDF))

KSC:

• Scrapping of the LOX tank at LC-39A continues. (RoughRidersShow)

Starbase activities (2024-12-08):

• Dec 7th cryo delivery tally.
• Dec 7th addenda: Launch mount work platform returns to the launch site. (ViX) Drone show timelapse. (Priel / NSF)
• Checkouts complete, the work platform transport stand heads back to the launch mount. (ViX)
• Work platform leaves the launch site. (ViX)
• Potential scaffolding mount points are installed on B14. (ViX)
• Pad A announcement: “Loud checkouts for booster” (ViX)
• B14 undergoes an igniter test. (ViX)
• Traffic cones are deployed, likely in preparation for the delivery of a new cryo tank. (ViX, Gomez)
• The Starfactory cladding on the highway side is complete. (ViX)

KSC:

• Roberts Road facility expansion continues. (Stranger)

Starbase activities (2024-12-07):

• Dec 6th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Overnight, an extension is installed on the black LTR1220 crane. (ViX)
• An interesting strainer/funnel is delivered. (ViX)
• Robot welder works on nosecones, humans inspect tiles. (NSF / Mary, cnunez)
• Ring load spreader and S35 payload section enter the Highbay. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• Launch site: A 16-axle SPMT arrives at the launch site. (ViX)
• B14 testing: Road is closed, NSF livestream starts.
• Frost and propellant load.
• B14 conducts a spin-prime test. (LabPadre, NSF, ViX, Priel)
• Other: A holiday drone light show occurs. (NSF / Anderson timelapse, Gomez full livestream)

KSC LC-39A:

• Scrapping of the LOX tank continues. (NSF, ViX)

Starbase activities (2024-12-06):

• Dec 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Dec 5th addenda: Priel, LabPadre and ViX timelapses of B14 rollout. A new booster forward section emerges from Starfactory.
• Build site: Ship static fire stand moves from Massey’s to build site. (ViX)
• Gisler photos of ship nosecones in Starfactory: S35 (with flaps) and later ships.
• Launch site: B14 is lifted onto launch mount A. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Priel, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, SpaceX)
• R366 is spotted on B14 (not B12).
• Booster transport stand leaves the launch site and is parked near Starhopper. (ViX)
• Excavators are observed to be creating some piles of dirt. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Road delays: 2-hour road delays are posted for Dec 9th and 10th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (desde la fabrica hasta Massey’s)

KSC LC-39A:

• Scrapping of the LOX tank begins. (RoughRidersShow / NSF)

Starbase activities (2024-12-10):

• Dec 9th addenda: Raptor work platform and booster transport stand return to the launch site. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Launch site: Overnight, two cryo tanks (one CH4, one LOX) roll out to the launch site. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
• The yellow LR11000 counterweight tray is loaded onto an SPMT and driven to the awaiting crane at the tank farm. (ViX)
• B14 is transferred from the launch mount to the transport stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, NSF)
• Build site: B14 rolls back to the build site, is fitted with brackets for scaffolding, and enters Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, Cphillips_03 / NSF, Mary)
• S35 nosecone rolls into the Highbay and is stacked on its payload section. (ViX, Starship Gazer, cnunez)
• A 4-ring barrel section moves from Starfactory to the scrap yard. (ViX)
• Recent photo of launch mount B. (cnunez)
• Recent photo of chopsticks B. (RGV Aerial)
• Dec 10th road closure is revoked, likely indicating that the static fire of B14 on Dec 9th went well.
• 2-hour road delays are posted and revoked for Dec 11th (10:00 to 14:00) and 12th (00:00 to 03:00) for transport from factory to Massey’s.

Flight 7?:

• Bananas are loaded for a classified destination. (Chiquita)

KSC:

• Roberts Road facility expansion continues. (Stranger)
• Scrapping of the LOX tank at LC-39A continues. (RoughRidersShow)

Starbase activities (2024-12-09):

• Dec 8th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: In the early morning, a new cryo tank is delivered to the launch site. (LabPadre, ViX)
• Tank transporter departs from the launch complex. (ViX)
• Road delay is posted for Dec 10th from 08:00 to 11:00 for tank installation.
• One lone human at the launch site. (ViX)
• B14 testing: Road is closed. (Roger S / NSF)
• Venting, propellant loading
• B14 performs a static fire. (LabPadre, ViX 1 (timelapse), ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer, Priel, NSF, Mary, Golden, Doherty, Gomez, SpaceX including an upskirt shot)
• Launch site cont’d: In the afternoon, the new cryo tank is moved into position. (ViX)
• The yellow LR11000 crane moves to near the entrance of the D2 gate. Ramps and cribbing are laid down, and the crane moves towards the tank farm. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Evening photos of the launch mount and Starhopper site from cnunez.
• Additional recent launch site closeups from RGV Aerial.
• Build site: A single ring is moved from Starfactory to the scrap yard. (ViX)
• One of two methane tanks at Sanchez moves slightly, likely pending rollout to the launch complex overnight. (ViX)
• S35’s nosecone is staged near the Starfactory door, likely pending a move to the Highbay. (ViX)

Flight 6:

• Apparently the banana payload was Chiquita brand (or so they claim).

Flight 7?:

• Chiquita also seem to be alluding to possible future payloads.

KSC LC-39A:

• Scrapping of the LOX tank continues. (ViX)

Starbase activities (2024-12-05):

• Dec 4th cryo delivery tally and subsequent correction.
• Dec 4th addendum: Further booster quick disconnect and raptor quick disconnect tests conducted. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Build site: Gisler posts a photo of launch mount B at Sanchez.
• Closeup of S35 nosecone with installed forward flaps and an opening in the leeward heatshield. (NSF / Mary)
• Booster transport stand eventually moves into Megabay 1. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• B14 is loaded onto the transport stand, and emerges from Megabay 1. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• 1-hour road delay was posted for Dec 5th (21:00 to 00:00) for transport from factory to pad.
• B14 rolls out to the launch site. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Doherty, NSF livestream)
• Road closures and delays: 2-hour road delay is posted for Dec 6th (00:00 to 04:00) for transport from Massey’s to factory.
• 8-hour road closure is scheduled for Dec 7th (08:00 to 16:00) for non-flight testing activities.
• 12-hour road closures are posted for Dec 9th and 10th (08:00 to 20:00) for non-flight testing activities.
• Dec 7th and 9th closures are scheduled.