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Starship Development Thread February 2025

Starbase activities (2025-01-31):

• Jan 30th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Steel support beams are delivered to Pad B. (ViX)
• Chopsticks B closeup from Starship Gazer.
• Work on the tank farm continues. (Gisler)
• Temporary gate is installed. (Gisler)
• A storage/parking/communications hub is being set up near Starhopper. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Build site: S35 aft section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX, NSF)
• Work on S36 nosecone and Test Tank 16 continues. The black LTR1220 crane moves a three rings to the scrap yard. Some piping/ductwork is spotted. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• S37 tile application has begun, S38 is still bare (Gisler, cnunez 1, cnunez 2)
• Potential new Starlink loader box spotted under construction inside the Highbay. (Beyer)
• RGV Aerial post a comparison of flyover photos taken two years apart.
• Sanchez: Work on Launch Mount B and flame bucket continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4 (water feed lines), Gisler 5 (flame deflector pipes), Gisler 6)
• RGV Aerial post a labeled flyover photo of Sanchez.
• 2-hour road delay ~~has appeared~~ is posted for Feb 4th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey's ~~(no accompanying document)~~. Potential candidates would be for S34 static fire, Test Tank 16 cryo test, ~~B15 static fire~~, or B16 cryo test.

Flight 8:

• ~~Esteemed spaceflight journalist~~ convicted war criminal Eric Berger reports hearing "end of February" as the current target date.

Starbase activities (2025-01-09):

• Jan 8th cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: B12 moves from Rocket Garden to Megabay 1, and S35 forward dome moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX, Starship Gazer, Priel, NSF, DeffGeff)
• S33 emerges from Megabay 2. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Beil, NSF, clwphoto1)
• S33 and Mechazilla decals are spotted. (Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Mary, cnunez)
• B14.1 moves from Sanchez to Highbay, likely to swap with B12's transport stand. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Priel, cnunez)
• Launch site: Cones are deployed in preparation for S33 rollout. (ViX)
• S33 moves from Megabay 2 to the launch site. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Starship Gazer 3, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, Elon, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, clwphoto1)
• Lift pins deploy, the chopsticks take the weight of S33, stabilizer pins engage, aft flap deploys. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Beil, ViX 4, ViX 5)
• Workers in a lift inspect the left area of the TPS. (Beil)
• Klaxon sounds at the pad, chopsticks take the weight of S33.
• S33 is stacked on B14. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Priel, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gomez, NSF full livestream)
• Jan 10th road closure is amended, now 10:00 to 22:00 instead of 05:00 to 17:00.

Flight 7:

• NOTAM seemingly corrected to NET Jan 13th. (ViX, Beil)

Starbase activities (2025-01-10):

• Jan 9th cryo delivery tally.
• Jan 9th addendum: SpaceX post photos of stacking.
• Priel comparison of V1 and V2 stacking, Beyer and Hansen comparison of V1 and V2 full stacks.
• Launch site: Detonation suppression system is tested. (ViX)
• S33 flaps are tested. (ViX, NSF)
• Chopsticks are tested. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• B14 and S33 perform a wet dress rehearsal. (NSF full livestream)
• Road is closed, patrol boats are present. (Beil 1, Beil 2, Cornwell / SpacePadre)
• Tank farm venting. (ViX, Beil)
• Cars return to the pad. (Beil)
• Chopsticks open. (Beil)
• Launch mount venting. (Beil, Beil)
• Tower venting. (ViX, Beil)
• Engine chill venting. (ViX)
• Ship LOX tank frost. (ViX, NSF, Beil 1)
• Full propellant load. (NSF, Mary, Beil 1, Beil 2)
• Detonation suppression system is tested. (NSF)
• Timelapses: (LabPadre, ViX, Priel)
• SpaceX photos and video.
• Shana Diez (Director, Starship Engineering) report: "Lots learned and lots of data to work through this weekend. But only a few things left before flight test."
• Build site: 2-hour road delays are posted for Jan 13th and 14th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey's.

Flight 7:

• 13.5-hour road closures are posted for Jan 13th through 15th from 09:00 to 22:30 for flight testing activities.
• NOTMAR, NOTAM, and MSIB notices are issued for Jan 13th. (ViX, Gomez)
• Two navigational warnings for the Indian Ocean are cancelled. (Beil 1, Beil 2)
• An amusing typo (ViX, Edwards) was present in the FAA advisory, now corrected, but archived here.

Starbase activities (2025-01-30):

• Jan 29th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Refurbishment continues. (cnunez)
• Pad B: A hole is opened in the base of Tower B, and an existing hole is covered with a roofing panel. (ViX)
• Starship Gazer posts 4k videos of chopsticks assembly and lift.
• Build site: S36 nosecone has been stacked on payload bay. (NSF, Gisler)
• Work continues on Test Tank 16. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Mystery box is delivered. (Gisler)
• RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the office building and Starfactory. (RGV Aerial)

Flight 8:

• SpaceX have applied for the FCC (not FAA) license, launch NET Feb 24th. (Starship Gazer, FCC)

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 (2025-01-16):

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 (2025-01-06):

• Jan 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Quite a bit reported on Jan 6th.
• Build site: Mystery flat-packed delivery to Starfactory. (ViX)
• Ten Starlink simulators are spotted in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer photo, Starship Gazer video)
• The black LTR1220 crane slightly reconfigures the ship transport SPMTs. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Explosion warning signs are spotted on Megabay 2, suggesting that S33 flight termination system is being installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer)
• Ship lifting jig stand arrives outside Megabay 2. (ViX)
• Ship transport stand enters Megabay 2. (ViX)
• S33 is lifted onto the transport stand in Megabay 2. (ViX, LabPadre)
• Megabay 2 door opens, revealing S33 with new catch point tiles, an open Pez door, and Crew Dragon stickers on the flaps. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, TheRedstoneHive)
• Launch site: The transport stand for the hot staging adapter moves from the build site to the launch site. (ViX, NSF)
• An afternoon attempt to remove B14's hot staging adapter is aborted, likely due to wind conditions (LabPadre, ViX). Another attempt is made in the evening (NSF).
• The yellow LR11000 crane moves towards Pad B, where it will likely lie down prior to Flight 7. (ViX)
• Parts for a new crane begin arriving at the launch site, and are assembled. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• A small crane is also delivered. (ViX)

Other:

• RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of Starfactory.
• TheSpaceEngineer posts a flow schematic for Raptor 3. Unclear what information this is based on, likely somewhat speculative.

KSC:

• Expansion of the Roberts Road facility continues. (Stranger)

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 (2025-01-21):

• 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 (2025-01-20):

• 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)

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 (2025-01-22):

• 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 (2025-01-23):

• 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 (2025-01-24):

• 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 (2025-01-27):

• 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.

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)

Mirror

Starbase activities (2025-01-01):

• Happy New Year, folks!
• Dec 31st cryo delivery tally.
• Not much action reported on New Year's Day. All is quiet.
• Photos of the launch site. B14 still on launch mount A. (cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, Robert Opal)
• Photo of the build site: cnunez
• Launch Mount B: Some potential water feed pipes for the water cooled pancake are spotted. ChromeKiwi renders and thoughts.

Starbase activities (2025-01-03):

• Jan 2nd cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Overnight, the flight termination system is installed on B14. (Golden, ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
• Launch mount work continues. (Starship Gazer)
• Booster stabilizer pins are removed. (ViX, Anderson 1, Anderson 2)
• Pad B: Panelling is added to the roof of the tower base. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Build site: Starkitty is sighted. (ViX)
• Video tour. (ViX)
• An owl is sighted. (ViX)

Flight 7:

• Mexican NOTAM is posted. (ViX 1, ViX 2, RGV Aerial, FAA (PDF))
• NASA5, the Gulfstream V, is scheduled to fly to Brisbane. (ViX, rocketjunkie94)
• Lars Blackmore is excited to see the results of the forward flap redesign.
• SpaceX publish an update on their website (current, archive). Highlights:
• "Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight"
• Multiple metallic test tiles on S33, including one with active cooling.
• "non-structural versions of ship catch fittings are installed"

Flight 6:

• SpaceX post a recap video, including a brief drone shot of S31 after splashdown.
• Cause of Flight 6 booster offshore divert: Sensors on the tower chopsticks were damaged at launch. Additional protections to the sensors have been added.

Starbase activities (2025-01-04):

• Jan 3rd cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: The first two sections (common dome and aft 2) of B17's LOX tank enter Megabay 1. Shorter stringers are observed. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, NSF)
• Pad A: B14 closeup from Starship Gazer.
• Pad B: The upper crossbeam of the chopsticks assembly jig is removed. (ViX)
• Two excavators perform a choreographed rebar-shifting ballet. (ViX)
• Golden's thoughts on Starship's launch cadence in 2025.
• Beil comparison of Falcon Heavy and Starship launch cadence.

Starbase activities (2025-01-05):

• Jan 4th cryo delivery tally.
• Jan 4th addendum: A load spreader is moved from the build site to the launch site, possibly for hot stage adapter removal. (ViX)
• Pad A: Scaffolding is removed from the top of the tower. (clwphoto1 1, clwphoto1 2, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2)
• The yellow LR11000 crane moves around into position for hot stage adapter removal. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Build site: Ship transport stand moves in front of Megabay 2, presumably for S33 rollout. (Starship Gazer)
• RGV Aerial post recent flyover photos: B14 on launch mount, launch site, Pad B, flame trench, and launch mount B at Sanchez)

Flight 7:

• Infographic from Vikranth Jonna summarizing new objectives and changes.

KSC:

• Recent satellite photo of LC-39A: (Stranger 1, Stranger 2)

Starbase activities (2025-01-07):

• Jan 6th cryo delivery tally.
• Jan 6th addendum: B14 hot staging adapter is removed. (ViX, Priel)
• Build site: Overnight, S33 is revealed, and the Starlink simulators are loaded. (Mary, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Starship Gazer photo, Starship Gazer video, Priel 1, Priel 2, Gisler)
• In the early afternoon, the payload door is closed. (ViX 6x, ViX 3x, ViX real-time)
• S33 aft flap is tested. (ViX)
• S36 tiling in Starfactory continues. (cnunez)
• Launch site: Following the removal of B14 the hot staging adapter, the black LR11000 crane offloads the spreader and straps. (ViX)
• Load spreader is reattached, and the hot staging adapter is lifted back onto B14. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, Priel 1, Priel 2, Doherty)
• 1-hour road delay is posted for Jan 8th from 04:00 to 05:00 for transportation from launch pad to factory.
• 1-hour road delays are posted for Jan 8th from 14:00 and 17:00 or Jan 9th from 00:00 to 03:00 for transportation from factory to launch pad (likely S33 rollout).

Flight 7:

• Jan 10th no longer the target date. NET Jan 11th, likely a "3 or 4 days" further. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Cadena OIS (archive), Elon)

Starbase activities (2025-01-08):

• Jan 7th cryo delivery tally.
• Jan 7th addendum: More video of PEZ dispenser and loading process. (Starship gazer, ViX)
• Launch site: Overnight, the chopsticks are extensively exercised. (ViX)
• B14 "cowbell" vent covers have been removed. (ViX)
• 12-hour road closures are posted for Jan 10th and 11th from 05:00 to 17:00 for non-flight testing activities.
• Build site: Catch hardware is installed on S33. (ViX, Starship Gazer 1, Starship Gazer 2, Mary)
• It looks like multiple tiles have been intentionally omitted. (rocketjunkie94)
• RGV Aerial post a recent flyover photo of the rocket garden.

Flight 7:

• SpaceX indicate NET Jan 13th.
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency indecate NET Jan 13th. (ViX)
• Mexican NOTAM indicates NET Jan 14th. (ViX)

Starbase activities (2025-01-11):

• Jan 10th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Ship stand rolls out to the launch site and S33 is destacked. Raptor work platform rises, chopstick stabilizer pin movement, ship quick disconnect retracts, destack commences, chopsticks and ship slewed, ship descends towards the stand. Timelapses: (ViX 1, ViX 2, Priel)
• A laser guide is used during stacking operations. (Beil, Hansen)
• The yellow LR11000 crane is laid down. (ViX)
• S33 receives TPS inspections and some fresh paint, B14 pending "cowbell vent" cover replacement. (Beil 1, Beil 2, ViX)
• Build site: Scrapping of B14.1 begins. (ViX)
• Photos of nosecones in Starfactory from cnunez: S36 or S37 (flight 10 or 11), and S38 (flight 12).
• Starkitty is sighted. (ViX)
• Elon: "There will probably be another 10m added to the Starship stack before we increase diameter"

Flight 7:

• SpaceX are now targeting Jan 15th. (SpaceX)

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 (2025-01-19):

• 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"

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

Starbase activities (2025-01-14):

• Jan 13th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: Ship transport stand moves from the launch site to the build site. (ViX)
• The black LR11000 crane is laid down. (ViX)
• Water is delivered to the deluge system. (ViX)
• Temporary fence is dismantled and trucked away. (ViX)
• Crews hand-lower the catch netting down the side of Tower B. (ViX)
• Build site: A booster stand enters Megabay 1, and B12 is transferred onto it. (ViX)

Flight 7:

• Still targeting Jan 15th, contingent on weather. (SpaceX, Elon)
• Sonic boom notices are posted. (Beil, Cameron County (archive))
• Temporary flight restrictions are posted for the backup dates of Jan 16th and 17th.

KSC:

• Pile drilling continues at LC-39A. (Anderson)

Other:

• FAA public comments meeting concerning increasing the number of launches from Starbase, edited to remove pauses. (Geoff A)

Starbase activities (2025-01-13):

• Jan 12th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: The black LR11000 crane is still vertical. (ViX)
• Chopsticks open and rise to the top of the tower. (ViX, Starship Gazer)
• 13.5-hour road closures are posted for Jan 15th through 17th from 09:00 to 22:30 for flight testing activities.
• 2-hour road delays are posted for Jan 15th and 16th from 00:00 to 04:00 for transportation from factory to Massey’s.

Flight 7:

• SpaceX have likely submitted the RCC-324-11 tailoring change request. (Beil 1, Beil 2, FAA)

Starbase activities (2025-01-12):

• Jan 11th cryo delivery tally.
• Launch site: B14 "cowbell" vent covers are replaced. (Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Anderson 3, ViX)
• Chopsticks rise around S33. (ViX, Beil)
• S33 is restacked on B14. (LabPadre, ViX, clwphoto1, Starship Gazer, Priel, NSF, SpacePadre, Mary, Beyer, Gisler)
• S33 heat shield closeups posted by Tyler Gray.
• The booster work platform and the ship transport stand move away from the launch mount. (ViX)
• Build site: Video tour
• The first two scrapped sections of B14.1 emerges from Highbay. (ViX 1, ViX 2)

KSC:

• Pile drilling is observed at LC-39A. (Anderson)

Starbase activities (2025-01-02):

• Jan 1st cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: An interesting cart is spotted leaving Starfactory. (LabPadre)
• Pez dispenser installation jig exits Megabay 2, likely implying that the S35 pez dispenser is installed. (ViX)
• Launch site: Booster transport stand moves from the launch site to the build site. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• B14 performs grid fin wiggle tests. (ViX)
• Launch mount closeup from cnunez.

Flight 7:

• Elon confirms that Raptor 314 which flew on B12 during flight 5 will be reflown on B14 for flight 7. (spacesudoer, Elon)