2026-09-30:

• Flights 7 and 8: Mishap reports have been obtained from the FAA via a freedom of information request. (Blobifie 1, Blobifie 2, Blobifie 3, Blobifie 4, Blobifie 5, archive flight 7, archive flight 8)
• For flight 7, SpaceX used videos uploaded to twitter to map the S33 debris cloud.
• For flight 8, sparks were seen on ship engine 1 at ~320s into the burn followed by a “significant dynamic event” ~10s later that led to the loss of control. Approximately 113 kg of tiles and other debris from S34 were recovered, but no metal debris though. There were also three small fires near the pad after B15 was caught by the chopsticks.
• Flight 13 S40 recovery: Forte is currently off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Unloading at Starbase NET 7th. (interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2)
• Flight 14 / Starlink Group 31-1: Pad deluge system was activated in sync with booster landing, but the chopsticks were not. (NSF 1, NSF 2)
• The Starlink Group 31-1 satellites pass over Starbase. (NSF, Anderson)
• Melissa C is near the S41 splashdown zone off the coast of Hawaii. (mcrs987)
• Production site: B24’s A3:4 section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (Avid Space, Avid Space)
• A derrick crane is set up on the Gigabay roof, presumably to dismantle the four tower cranes which were used during construction. (Avid Space)
• Two R-vacs and three sea level engines exit Megabay 2, likely removed from S42. (Avid Space 1, Avid Space 2, SpaceRhin0 1, SpaceRhin0 2, Blobifie)
• McGregor: R3.260 leaves the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• Florida: You’ll Thank Me Later and Signet Warhorse I depart from Port Canaveral, scheduled to arrive at Brownsville Port on Oct 4th. (JConcilus, vesselfinder.com)

2026-09-02:

• Massey’s: Overnight, S42 moves from the production site to Massey’s. (Avid Space, ViX, StarshipGazer 1, StarshipGazer 2, TrackingTheSB, RGV Aerial, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, Blobifie 1, Blobifie 2, Blobifie 3, Blobifie 4)
• S42 flap testing. (ViX)
• New temporary flight restriction is posted for Sep 2nd 19:23 UTC to Sep 12th 05:00 UTC, presumably for S42 cryo testing. (Avid Space, FAA)
• Road delay for “Masseys to Production” is posted for Sep 2nd 23:59 to Sep 3rd 03:59. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• The old ship cryo stand leaves the testing area. (ViX)
• Pad 2: Chopstick landing rails are tested. (ViX)
• McGregor: A possible HLS hatch/airlock mockup is observed. (NSF, lewisknaggs42, mcrs987)
• Flight 14: The FAA publish a Finding of No Significant Impact for additional Starship reentry and landing trajectories, including North Pacific, Southeast Pacific, and Hawaiian/Central Pacific contingency splashdown zones. (Avid Space, FAA)

2026-09-03:

• Sep 2nd addendum: The S43.1 nosecone performs a cryo test. (ViX)
• Massey’s: S42 begins its first cryo test. (Avid Space, ViX)
• Recent flyover photo of S42. (RGV Aerial)
• Road delay for “Masseys to Production” is posted for Sep 3rd 23:59 to Sep 4th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• The booster cryo stand departs from Massey’s. (ViX)
• Production site: The raceways for S43 are staged on the central work area of Megabay 2. (Avid Space, ViX)
• Installation of flight termination systems on B21 and S41 is underway. (RGV Aerial)
• Grading work is observed near Highway 4 and the Brownsville Port access road. (RGV Aerial)
• Pad 1: Installation of pipes for the deluge system is underway. (ViX)
• Pad 2: Additional cladding is installed on the launch tower. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Movement of the chopsticks and the ship quick disconnect arm are observed. (ViX)
• McGregor: R3.106 (vacuum engine) and R3.134 head back for more testing. (SpaceRhin0)
• Other: Visualization of various orbital planes for Starship and subsequent RTLS opportunities. (mcrs987)

2026-09-04:

• Overnight, S42 completes its 2nd cryo test. (ViX, Blobifie)
• Brownsville Port: Road delay for “Port to Production” is posted for Sep 4th 23:59 to Sep 5th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive)
• Massey’s: Speculation on some of the structural tests conducted on S43.1. (Killip 1, Killip 2)
• Production site: S43’s A3 section enters Megabay 2. (ViX, Blobifie)
• The launch mount service structure has been stacked and the plates have been bolted together. (Killip 1, Killip 2)
• All four corner sections and all four middle sections of the Pad 1 launch mount are now in place. (Killip)
• Pad 2: Movement of the chopsticks, landing rails, and ship quick disconnect arm are observed. (ViX)
• The tower vent pipe is removed. (ViX)
• Highlight of the bolts used to connect the columns of the tower into the base, likely for protection from Raptor exhaust when gimballing during launch. (Killip)
• McGregor: The previous evening, a sea-level Raptor headed towards the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• R3.236 (new highest) returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• S40 recovery: Forte still scheduled to arrive at Starbase on Oct 8th. (interstellargw)

2026-09-05:

• Brownsville Port: A horizontal ship transport frame moves from Brownsville Port to the production site. (NSF, ViX)
• Massey’s: Road delay for “Masseys to Production” is posted for Sep 5th 23:59 to Sep 6th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive)
• Florida: A horizontal ship transport frame and a booster stand are moved from Roberts Road to the KSC turn basin, staged for shipment to Starbase Texas. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX, Golden)

2026-09-06:

• Massey’s: Overnight, S42 moves from Massey’s to Megabay 2. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX, TrackingTheSB 1, TrackingTheSB 2, RGV Aerial, Gomez, Blobifie 1, Blobifie 2)
• Production site: Thrust simulator stand moves from Megabay 2 to Sanchez. (ViX)
• The booster horizontal aft frame portion of the breakover/transport mechanism arrives. (ViX)

2026-09-08:

• Sep 7th addendum: The new roof for Tower 1 is relocated by SPMTs. (ViX)
• Pad 1: The yellow rented LR11000 crane lifts the roof off the ground, but sets it back down shortly after. (ViX, ViX)
• Pad 2: Overnight, the launch mount service structure rolls out to Pad 2. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX)
• The chopsticks, landing rails, and stabiliser arms are tested. (ViX)
• The booster quick disconnects, hold-down clamps, ship quick disconnect arm, and ship quick disconnect perform a fast retraction test. (ViX 2, ViX 2)
• A launch and landing deluge test is performed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Blobifie)
• Massey’s: Overnight, B22 moves from Megabay 1 to Massey’s. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX, StarshipGazer, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, Blobifie 1, Blobifie 2)
• Road delays for “Production to Masseys” are posted for Sep 8th 23:59 to Sep 9th 04:00 and Sep 9th 23:59 to Sep 10th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• Production site: B23’s aft section enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• B23’s LOX landing tank enters Megabay 1. (ViX)
• A bridge crane girder section is staged outside of the Gigabay. (ViX, Gisler)
• The crane which was obstructing the Avid Space Rover 1 camera is moved. (ViX)
• The bridge crane girder section enters the Gigabay. (ViX)
• The girder section is offloaded from the transport in the Gigabay, and the Megabay 2 bridge crane lifts the two-point ship lifting jig. (ViX)
• The girder section is moved over to the left side of the Gigabay. (ViX)
• Ship cryo stand enters Megabay 2. (Avid Space, ViX, Blobifie)
• McGregor: R3.240 (new highest) and R3.237 head towards the testing area. (SpaceRhin0 1, SpaceRhin0 2)
• R3.236 returns from its 3rd round of testing. (SpaceRhin0)
• S40 recovery: Forte is currently anchored off the coast of Madagascar, likely waiting for weather to improve. (interstellargw)

2026-09-10:

• Sep 9th addendum: The Pad 2 chopstick stabiliser arms are tested. (ViX)
• Massey’s: Overnight B22 performs a cryo test. (Avid Space, ViX, Blobifie)
• S42 moves from Massey’s to Megabay 2. (NSF 1, NSF 2, Avid Space 1, Avid Space 2, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, StarshipGazer 1, StarshipGazer 2, Gomez, Blobifie)
• Road delay for “Production to Masseys” is posted for Sep 10th 23:59 to Sep 11th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• SpaceX propose construction of a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) heavy-haul route to transport ships and boosters between Massey’s and the production site. The route would consist of an 38-foot-wide (12 m) travel surface with 1-foot-wide (0.3 m) shoulders and a 3:1 max fill slope on the north side. (swg.usace.army.mil, Avid Space, interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2)
• Production site: Overnight S43’s transfer tubes move from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (ViX)
• The Megabay 2 bridge crane picks up the ship lifting jig. (ViX)
• B23’s F2:4 section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (Avid Space, ViX)
• S42 is transferred from the cryo stand to a transport stand. (Avid Space, ViX, TrackingTheSB, Blobifie)
• Launch site: The yellow rented LR11000 crane is disconnected from the recently lifted Tower 1 roof. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Road delay for “Production to Pad” is posted for Sep 10th 20:00 to Sep 10th 22:00. (ViX)
• Construction of the Pad 1 flame trench continues. (RGV Aerial)
• Back-to-back deluge tests are performed at Pad 2. (Avid Space, ViX, Blobifie 1)
• S42 rolls out to the launch site and is positioned between the Pad 2 chopsticks. (TrackingTheSB, NSF, efraser77, Blobifie 1, Blobifie 2, Blobifie 3, Blobifie 4, Blobifie 5)
• S40 recovery: Forte has passed Madagascar. (JConcilus)
• Flight 14: Now NET Sep 18th, per new CADENA presentation. (compass.atfm.aero (pptx warning), Avid Space, StarshipGazer)

2026-09-07:

• Massey’s: Road delay for “Production to Masseys” is posted for Sep 7th 23:59 to Sep 8th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• Launch site: Road delay for “Production to Pad” is posted for Sep 7th 23:59 to Sep 8th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• Production site: Gigabay construction continues. (cnunez)
• The launch mount servicing structure has been transferred to SPMTs. (Anderson)
• Booster aft section is (probably) fit checked with the horizontal booster transportation frame. (ViX)
• Booster lifting jig is hoisted in Megabay 1. (ViX)
• Booster cryo stand enters Megabay 1. (Avid Space, ViX)
• B22 is transferred to the cryo stand. (efraser77, Blobifie)
• McGregor: R3.236 returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• Florida: Venting from Pad 39A is observed. (NSF)

2026-09-11:

• Launch site: S42 rolls out to the launch site and is positioned between the Pad 2 chopsticks. (NSF, Avid Space, StarshipGazer)
• S42 flaps are extended, and the chopsticks take the weight of the ship, without engaging the stabilizer arms. (Avid Space, NSF, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, Blobifie 1, Blobifie 2, Blobifie 3, Blobifie 4, Blobifie 5)
• S42 is moved to the far end of the chopsticks. (Blobifie, Blobifie 2)
• Road delay for “Pad to Production” is posted for Sep 12th 01:00 to 05:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive)
• Massey’s: Overnight, B22 performs its 2nd cryo test. (NSF, Blobifie)
• The (empty) ship cryo stand is moved to Massey’s. (NSF)
• Flyover photo of B22. (RGV Aerial)
• Road delay for “Masseys to Production” is posted for Sep 12th 01:00 to 05:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive)
• Flight 14: The FAA post launch windows for Sep 18th and 19th, both 12:15 to 14:14 UTC (07:15 to 09:14 local). (FAA, archive, Avid Space, StarshipGazer, interstellargw, Gomez)
• McGregor: R3.23x returns from the testing area. The engine cover says “Raptor” on it. (SpaceRhin0)

2026-09-13:

• Sep 12th addendum: Timelapse of S42 chopsticks and ship quick disconnect testing. (RGV Aerial)
• Production site: Overnight, S42 moves from Pad 2 to Megabay 2. (NSF, Avid Space, ViX, TrackingTheSB, RGV Aerial, efraser77)
• S43 has been lifted over top of the transfer tube installation jig. (ViX, Blobifie)
• Massey’s: A booster cryo stand and a ship static fire stand are moved from the production site to Massey’s for storage. (NSF, TrackingTheSB)
• Pad 1: A lengthy concrete pour begins for the flame trench. 122+ truckloads are delivered over the course of 8+ hours, with three pump trucks running concurrently. (ViX, TrackingTheSB, lewisknaggs42)

2026-09-14:

• Pad 1: The concrete pour for the flame trench centre floor is completed. 250+ truckloads were delivered over the course of 16 hours. (ViX, TrackingTheSB, lewisknaggs42)
• Some cladding is installed near the top of Tower 1. (ViX, ViX 2)
• Pad 2: A chopstick actuator is removed. (ViX)
• A deluge test is observed. (TrackingTheSB, RGV Aerial)
• Other: 51 foundation footings are now visible at the new 444-acre site along Highway 4 near Starbase. (RGV Aerial photo, RGV Aerial video)
• S40 recovery: Forte passes the tip of South Africa. (marinetraffic.com)
• Flight 14: Earliest launch windows are now Sep 22nd and 23rd, both 12:15 to 14:14 UTC (07:15 to 09:14 local). (fly.faa.gov, archive, Avid Space)
• Elon confirms no ship catch for this flight. (outerspacetoday)

2026-09-15:

• Pad 2: Overnight, the chopsticks are raised, a deluge test is observed, and the chopsticks are lowered. (ViX)
• A single ring segment and a lifting jig are rolled out to Pad 2. (ViX)
• An assembly of metal panels are dangled near one of the Pad 2 booster quick disconnects, possibly to test proximity sensors. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Production site: Overnight, the Gigabay bridge crane is outfitted with racks of cabinets, likely for power and control systems, and catwalks along the top. (Avid Space)
• S43’s aft section enters Megabay 2. (Blobifie)
• The flame diverter for Pad 1 is under construction at Sanchez. (RGV Aerial)
• McGregor: The previous evening, four Raptor 3 engines are observed heading towards the testing area, possibly including R3.244. (SpaceRhin0)
• R3.243 returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• Flight 13: In the terminal phase of the boostback burn, the three centre engines showed signs of ice clogging which triggered an early shutdown. During the landing burn, 8 of the 13 planned engines reigniting before hard splashdown. For Flight 14, B21 has hardware modifications to improve filtering to the engines and software changes to enhance relight reliability. (SpaceX)
• S40 recovery: Forte rounds the tip of South Africa and heads into the Atlantic Ocean. (interstellargw, Blobifie)
• Flight 14: NOTAMs are posted for Mexican airspace. (Avid Space, Gomez)
• Reentry NOTAM is posted for the Pacific Ocean near Easter Island. (Avid Space)
• S41 to deploy 26 operational Starlink satellites, 3 of which have cameras to inspect the ship’s heatshield. (SpaceX)
• S41 will test several heatshield upgrades and experiments, including retention mechanisms for tiles at highest risk of falling off during ascent, addressing plasma flow paths behind tiles, testing a curved tile design to reduce heating in the gaps between tiles, and reflying two tiles recovered from S40. (SpaceX)

2026-09-16:

• Production site: S43’s aft section enters Megabay 2 and is welded onto the ship. (ViX, Avid Space)
• Gigabay construction continues. (RGV Aerial)
• Bridge crane rails are welded to the girders with thermite. (ViX)
• One of the Gigabay doors is delivered. (ViX)
• Pad 2: The left chopstick actuator is replaced. (ViX, Blobifie)
• McGregor: R3.24x returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• R3.241 returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• R3.244 returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• Flight 13: SpaceX post Episode 3 of their Starship documentary, focusing on S40 recovery. (SpaceX)
• Flight 14: NOTMARs are posted for the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. (Avid Space 1, Avid Space 2)
• A contingency reentry NOTMAR is posted for north of Hawaii. (Avid Space)

2026-09-17:

• Production site: Gigabay construction continues. (cnunez)
• The first Gigabay work platform, reportedly for work station 8 is delivered and lifted inside the building. (ViX)
• Pad 1: Construction continues. (cnunez)
• Brownsville Port: Road delay for “Production to Port” is posted for Sep 17th 23:59 to Sep 18th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, Avid Space)
• McGregor: R3.234 heads towards the testing area again. (SpaceRhin0)
• R3.203 heads towards the testing area. This engine has a few extra sensors. (SpaceRhin0)
• R3.23x returns from the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• Flight 14: NET Sep 28th, pending regulatory approval. (SpaceX)
• NOTMARs and NOTAMs are updated, with one reentry NOTAM for Mauritius. (Avid Space, SpaceNotices, notams.aim.faa.gov)