October 21, 2025Flight 11 is now in the rearview mirror—and with it, Starship Version 2. All eyes now turn toward Starship Version 3, a complete pad overhaul, a massive Raptor 3 production surge, and new revelations from NASA about the Human Landing System variant.In this episode of Starbase Update, Jack takes you through:🚀 What SpaceX’s new footage from Flight 11 reveals🛠️ Pad 1’s looming demolition and transformation🧪 Progress at Pad 2 and rapid work on the service structure📡 Why the booster hovered but the ship didn’t🏗️ Starship V3 hardware: Ship 39, Booster 18, test tanks & nosecone hall movement🔥 Massive Raptor 3 test surge at McGregor and new high-serial engines🌕 NASA’s new Starship HLS slides, V3 confirmation, and precision landing requirements🏗️ Florida: Giga Bay crane setup, LC-39A’s LR13000, and SLC-37 site prep🏭 Mystery test tanks, Massey’s bottleneck, bunker builds & Sanchez sightingsFrom demolition prep to cranes rising, tanks testing, engines firing, and lunar ambitions aligning—SpaceX is pushing toward the next evolutionary leap of Starship.🤵 Hosted by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer)🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@alexphysics13)🎥 Video from BocaChicaGal, Jack Beyer, Julia Bergeron, Max Evans, Ceaser G, Tyler Gray, Jerry Pike, Gage Telesz, Starbase Live, McGregor Live, Space Coast Live, SpaceX, Planet Labs PBC via Harry Stranger, NASA.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
October 27. 2025As SpaceX preps for Starship Version 3's debut flight early 2026, Pad 1 demolition ramps up with chopstick hardware removal, launch mount slicing, and tank farm teardowns to match Pad 2's upgrades like enhanced landing rails and deluge systems. Pad 2 advances swiftly: service structure cladding complete, scaffolding down for deluge tests, and quick-disconnect wiring installed for booster catches. In the Mega Bays, Booster 18 awaits its final weld, while Ship 39 stacks with v3 innovations - orbital docking ports, sleeker catch pins, tapered heatshields, and repositioned Starlink antennas - for in-orbit refueling and Mars ops. Florida's LC-39A LR 13000 crane erects for mount install, SPMTs stage for rollout, tank hardware arrives, SLC-37 tower tops out, and Giga Bay hits two floors. Starbase Giga Bay closes in with two cranes assembling. McGregor's Raptors hit 101-second burns on the North stand.🤵 Hosted by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer)🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@alexphysics13)🎥 Video from Jack Beyer, Julia Bergeron, Max Evans, Ceaser G, Gage Telesz, Starbase Live, Space Coast Live, McGregor Live, Sean Doherty, SpaceX, NASA.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
Nov 3, 2025SpaceX’s push to Starship version 3 is accelerating. Ship 39 is now past the halfway mark, Pad 2 is buzzing with QD motion tests and purge activity, Pad 1 demolition reveals the OLM interior, and on Florida’s LC-39A the LR13000 is gearing up for the new launch mount. Plus, SpaceX quietly dropped a big HLS (Human Landing System) progress update—49 milestones complete, from docking adapter qualification and DragonEye navigation testing to full-scale landing leg drop tests, MMOD stackups, a power module for the propellant depot, and a flight-article HLS cabin now in fabrication.We also break down Raptor 3 action at McGregor: long burns, record relights, and higher serial numbers rolling out—signs that V3 engines are lining up. All of that, plus Starfactory nosecone activity for Ships 40–42, Sanchez stand conversions for V3 boosters, and why the new transfer tube jig matters for Ship 39’s plumbing.🤵 Hosted by Ryan Caton (@dpoddolphinpro)🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@alexphysics13)🎥 Video from Jack Beyer, Gary Blair, Max Evans, Ceaser G, Gage Telesz, D Wise, Starbase Live, Space Coast Live, McGregor Live, SpaceX, NASA, Axiom Space, Blue Origin.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
November 11, 2025Pad 1 demolition at Starbase accelerated this week as SpaceX removed major sections of the original launch mount and related hardware—part of a broader plan to rebuild the site with upgraded systems. Meanwhile in Florida, LC-39A hit a huge milestone: rollout and installation of the new Starship launch mount. Over at Pad 2, teams continued final cladding, blast-door installs, BQD fast-retract checks, and staged a new load-test “I Be Proofin’” jig for the hold-down arms. On the vehicle side, Ship 39 advanced stacking in MB2 as the S39.1 aft-end test tank shuffled for upcoming trials, Booster 18 likely reached full stack, and McGregor saw a flurry of long-duration Raptor 3 runs—including the longest yet on Raptor North.Tell us your timeline: does 39A see its first Starship launch in Spring/Summer 2026—or later?Hosted by Ryan Caton (@dpoddolphinpro).🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@alexphysics13).🎥 Video from Max Evans, Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, Gage Telesz, D Wise, Starbase Live, Space Coast Live, McGregor Live, Jack Beyer, Nic Ansuini, SpaceX.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
Nov 17, 2025The first version 3 Starship is finally taking shape. This week, SpaceX fully stacked Ship 39, completed major work on the next-gen engine section, and began clearing the path for Booster 18’s first tests—all while Pad 2 prepares for full activation.At McGregor, a Raptor 3 engine suffered a dramatic failure on ignition, raising new questions as SpaceX’s test cadence slows. Does this mean the company already has the full set of engines for Flight 12, the first Starship Version 3 mission?Meanwhile, at Starbase, teams moved both the ship and booster thrust simulators back to the Production Site, scrapped older hardware, advanced work on Ships 40–45, made progress on Pad 2’s deluge and QD systems, and continued the demolition of Pad 1’s original Starship pad.On the Space Coast, SpaceX is installing hardware at LC-39A’s Starship mount, moving new components into place, and assembling cranes for the enormous Giga Bay. And we’re still waiting on the final approval for the SLC-37 Starship site.We’ll break down every change, every test, and every signal pointing toward the first Version 3 launch.🤵 Hosted by Ryan Caton (@dpoddolphinpro).🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (@alexphysics13).🎥 Video from Julia Bergeron, Ceaser G, Colleeen Liedtke, D Wise, Starbase Live, McGregor Live, Space Coast Live, SpaceX, Bob Beresh, GeneDoctorB.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
November 24, 2025We’ve finally seen a complete version 3 Super Heavy booster—Booster 18. It rolled out, tested, failed, and is now being scrapped… all in just 48 hours, setting a record nobody wanted to see. We’ll break down exactly what happened at Massey’s, how SpaceX is securing the damaged booster, and what this means for Starship Flight 12, Pad 2 commissioning, Block 3 hardware, and SpaceX’s ambitious timelines.But it’s not all bad news. Pad 2’s Ship Quick Disconnect Arm has been lifted onto the launch tower, the original Pad 1 is officially gone after full demolition, and SpaceX is pushing ahead with Giga Bay construction and Raptor 3 ramp-up.🔍 In this episode:🚀 Booster 18 anomaly & COPV explosion analysis🛠 How SpaceX safely cuts and scraps the booster💥 What this means for Flight 12 and Pad 2 commissioning🧪 Block 3 structural test tanks, new hardware, and design changes🏗 Pad 1 demolition – an era ends at Starbase📦 Giga Bay construction & Raptor 3 production ramp-up🛫 New Ship 39 progress, transport stand upgrades & hardware advancesv3 Super Heavy Booster Render from Starbase Tracking https://x.com/TrackingTheSB🤵 Hosted by Ryan Caton (@dpoddolphinpro).🖊️ Written by Ryan Weber.🎥 Video from Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, Gage Telesz, D Wise, Starbase Live, McGregor Live, Jack Beyer, SpaceX, NASA.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
Dec 1, 2025.In the wake of Booster 18’s explosive failure, SpaceX has wasted no time charging ahead with the construction of Booster 19, the next full Version 3 Super Heavy. With multiple new barrel sections already entering Mega Bay 1, the team is clearly working with a renewed sense of urgency — raising the big question: Could Starship Flight 12 still fly in Q1 2026?This week, NSF tracked a huge amount of activity across Starbase, McGregor, LC-39A, SLC-37, and Roberts Road — even during the Thanksgiving holiday. From booster scrapping and new V3 stacking, to record-long Raptor tests and the long-awaited approval of the SLC-37 Final Environmental Impact Statement, there’s more happening than ever.v3 Super Heavy Booster Render from Starbase Tracking https://x.com/TrackingTheSB🤵 Hosted by Max Evans.🖊️ Written by Steven Parsons, Arran Reid, Bastiaan Vellekop and Ryan Weber.🎥 Video from Julia Bergeron, Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, Gage Telesz, D Wise, Starbase Live, McGregor Live, Space Coast Live, SpaceX, 2025 Planet Labs PBC via Harry Stranger, Stoke Space.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
You actually think they listen to me. But while you're on the topic, here are some for sale - Tony
Dec 8, 2025Starship’s Version 3 era didn’t have the smoothest lift-off, but SpaceX is pushing ahead at record speed to keep the program on track. Mere days after Booster 18’s destructive anomaly, Booster 19 has surged into rapid stacking, Ship 39.1 has kicked off a major cryogenic test campaign at Massey’s, and the Starfactory is overflowing with new Block 3 ship hardware.In this week’s Starbase Update, Max Evans walks through all the key developments across Production, McGregor, Sanchez, and both launch pads—including some big surprises.👕 Support our work! Get some Merch! https://shop.nasaspaceflight.com/v3 Super Heavy Booster Render from Starbase Tracking https://x.com/TrackingTheSB🤵 Hosted by Max Evans.🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera, Steve Parsons, Colton Williams, Jake (Max-Q).🎥 Video from Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, Starbase Live, McGregor Live, Jack Beyer, SpaceX.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@DPodDolphinPro).💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
Dec 15, 2025 STARBASEA little over three weeks after Booster 18’s failure, SpaceX is already charging ahead with Booster 19, which now appears on track to be fully stacked by the end of the year. At the same time, progress on Ship 39 suggests its testing campaign may still be a bit further out as SpaceX balances ship readiness with ongoing test tank activity at Massey’s.In this week’s Starbase Update, we break down the rapid progress on Booster 19, the scrapping of Booster 18 hardware, delays and upgrades affecting Ship 39, and major testing activity at Massey’s and McGregor. We also take a deep look at Pad 2’s construction and system testing, continued demolition at Pad 1, and accelerating work on Giga Bay—both at Starbase and on Florida’s Space Coast.All of this comes as SpaceX pushes hard toward Starship Flight 12, a critical milestone for Starship Version 3 and NASA’s Artemis Human Landing System timeline.🚀 Topics in this episode include:- Booster 19 stacking progress and Version 3 hardware- Booster 18 scrapping and Massey’s cleanup- Ship 39 readiness, raceway installation, and test delays- Booster and ship test tank activity at Massey’s- Methane tank farm revival and Ship 36 recovery upgrades- Pad 2 construction, system testing, and ASU work- Pad 1 demolition and future flame trench plans- Giga Bay construction at Starbase and Kennedy Space Center- Starship updates from the Space Coast and LC-39A- Raptor engine testing cadence at McGregorv3 Super Heavy Booster Render from Starbase Tracking https://x.com/TrackingTheSB🤵 Hosted by Max Evans.🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera, Steve Parsons, Colton Williams, Jake (Max-Q).🎥 Video from Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, Starbase Live, McGregor Live, Jack Beyer, SpaceX.✂️ Edited by Thomas Hayden.💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
December 22, 2025 With 2025 coming to a close, SpaceX is charging full speed ahead toward Starship Flight 12 and the long-awaited debut of Version 3 vehicles. In this holiday edition of Starbase Update, we break down the rapid stacking progress of Booster 19, just weeks after Booster 18's mishap at Massey's, and analyze what that pace tells us about SpaceX's readiness timeline. We also examine the status of Ship 39, recent test tank activity, and what new hardware inside Mega Bay 2 could mean for the flight campaign. Beyond vehicles, we dive deep into Pad 1 demolition, Pad 2 outfitting and testing, chopstick upgrades, and the growing momentum behind Giga Bay construction — now rising above Starfactory itself. Plus, we explore the expanding Air Separation Unit (ASU) infrastructure both at Starbase and Florida's Space Coast, a key element for increasing launch cadence. Over at McGregor, unusual Raptor engine test durations, relight sequences, and the appearance of a new Raptor 3 Vacuum engine raise fresh questions about evolving flight profiles for Version 3 Starship. We wrap up with a look at SpaceX's festive Starbase holiday parade, marking the final Starbase Update of 2025 — and setting the stage for an even busier 2026. v3 Super Heavy Booster Render from Starbase Trackinghttps://x.com/TrackingTheSB
January 6, 2026As Starbase rings in 2026, SpaceX is gearing up for Starship’s next chapter. The Version-3 booster and ship for Flight 12 are being prepared after five flights in 2025, while more vehicles continue production deep inside the Starfactory.Meanwhile on the Space Coast, the barge Marmac 31 has arrived to support the first transport of Starship hardware from Texas to Florida, marking a major milestone on the road to launching out of the LC-39A facility. At Starbase and in Florida, the twin Gigabay buildings are also rising to new levels, setting the stage for far greater operations beyond 2026.In this episode we dive into:Florida trial runs for the Starship transport bargeThe state of Ship 39 and potential heat-shield reworkBooster 19 stacked in record timeRestricted activity and upgrades at McGregorProgress on launch Pad 1 and Pad 2SpaceX’s new Air Separation Unit🤵 Hosted by Max Evans.🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera.🎥 Video fromJulia Bergeron, Gary Blair, Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, Jerry Pike, D Wise, Starbase Live, Space Coast Live, Jack Beyer, SpaceX, Google Earth, 2025 Planet Labs PBC via Harry StrangerX.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton.💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
Jan 12, 2026Is SpaceX is closing in on Starship Flight 12 and the debut of Version 3? There's been major progress unfolding across Texas and Florida.At Starbase, Pad 2 is nearly complete as the Ship Quick Disconnect arm, chopstick upgrades, and launch mount hardware installations wrap up — putting the site on track for upcoming Booster 19 testing.Meanwhile on Florida’s Space Coast, major Starship hardware has arrived at Launch Complex 39A, including the rollout of the Ship QD arm shoulder section. At the same time, new FAA filings and satellite imagery indicate that construction at Space Launch Complex 37 is finally set to begin, marking SpaceX’s next major expansion beyond 39A.We also dive into:• Pad 1 demolition progress and redesign• Ship 39 and Booster 19 testing timelines• Activity at Massey’s and McGregor• New Raptor engine testing• Ship 40 tile modifications• Future Starship production inside Starfactory• Elon Musk’s bold claim of producing up to 10,000 Starships per yearFrom launch pads and ground systems to production scale and engine testing, this week’s Starbase Update covers everything shaping the road to Flight 12 and beyond.🤵 Hosted by Max Evans.🖊️ Written by Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera.🎥 Video from Julia Bergeron, Ceaser G, Colleen Liedtke, D Wise, Starbase Live, Space Coast Live, McGregor Live, BocaChicaGal, Jack Beyer, Thomas Burghardt, SpaceX, 2026 Planet Labs PBC via Harry Stranger, Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum.✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton.💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed).
