SpaceXtraodinary (everything SpaceX)

Compiled by Peter Schmalisch

Launch Pad
Looking Forward
Looking Back
SpaceX Project News
• Starship*
• Falcon 9
• Falcon Heavy
• Crew Dragon
• Cargo Dragon
• Dragon XL*
• Starlink
• Customer Launches
* future projects

Youtube Links:....
NASASpaceflight....view.
Everyday Astronaut....view.
spaceXcentric....view.
Marcus House....view.
What about it!?....view.
Scott Manley....view.
2 The Future with Jixuan & Sebastian....view.
Other Links:....
SpaceX....view.
NASA....view.
Spaceflight Now....view.
Teslarati....view.
Next Spaceflight....view.
RGV Aerial Photography....view.
More:....
Cameron County
(Road Closures)....view.



SUMMARY <<< SEPTEMBER 2021 >>>

Daily News Updates for SpaceX Starship

Date Location Source Headline Activity
30th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Ship 20 Successfully Completes Cryo Proof Test....view.
Ship 20 completed its first major test before the Orbital Test Flight when its tanks were loaded with cryogenic liquid nitrogen, pressurized to near flight pressures, and hydraulic rams simulated Raptor engine thrust. Having passed the "proofing" test, SpaceX will likely install Raptor engines for a static fire test next.
29th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Booster Forward Section Outside the High Bay....view.
A Booster Forward Section, presumed for Booster 5, was staged outside the High Bay likely for stacking soon. Meanwhile, crews work inside the Cryo Shells and Liquid Oxygen was delivered to the Suborbital Tank Farm.
28th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Ship 20 Proof Testing Begins....view.
Ship 20 underwent Pneumatic (aka ambient) Proof testing, and lost some TPS tiles due to a header tank vent before undergoing Cryo Proof testing later in the night. Work on the foundation for the Wide Bay continued, and 3 Raptor engines were loaded onto a truck - presumably headed back to SpaceX's McGregor, TX test site.
27th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Orbital Tank Farm Filling Continues....view.
SpaceX continues to fill the Orbital Tank Farm in preparation for testing and ultimately launches from the Orbital Site. Meanwhile, crews work on Booster 4 in its new position at the Launch Site.
26th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Booster 4 Rolled Away from the Orbital Launch Mount....view.
As SpaceX prepares to proof test Ship 20, Booster 4 is rolled away from the Orbital Launch Mount. Meanwhile, many of Ship 21's sections, including its Aft Section and Common Dome Section, are spotted outside the Production Tents.
25th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Booster 4 Lifted Off Orbital Launch Mount....view.
Booster 4 was lifted off the Orbital Launch Mount and onto a SPMT, a set of large tanks were transported to the Launch Site, and a common dome section was flipped.
24th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Starship Thrust Simulators Rolled Out for Proof Testing....view.
As Ship 20 prepares for proof testing, SpaceX rolled out Thrust Simulators to mimic Raptor engines firing. These tests will ensure Ship 20's tank section is ready for the Orbital Test Flight. Meanwhile, a Load Spreader was lifted as Booster 4 waits to be removed from the Orbital Launch Mount.
23rd
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Quick Disconnect Arm Extension Installed....view.
As SpaceX gears up for Booster 4 and Ship 20 proof testing, the Quick Disconnect Arm Extension was lifted and installed onto the Launch Tower. This arm will help stabilize the whole stack along with providing propellant to Starship. Meanwhile, rebar is laid for the new, wider High Bay.
22nd
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Orbital Tank Farm Tested for the First Time....view.
The GSE Tanks at the Orbital Tank Farm were tested for the first time, GSE tank 8 rolled out of the Mid Bay, and Ship 21's forward dome was spotted on the sleeving stand.
21st
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Ship 21 Nosecone Spotted Being Prepared for TPS Tile Installation....view.
Ship 21's nosecone was spotted with thermal blanketing installed, there were several deliveries to the Launch Site including gaseous helium, and several sets of stairs were being constructed next to the Propellant Plant.
20th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Starship Quick Disconnect Arm Moved to Launch Site....view.
The Starship Quick Disconnect Arm extension was moved to the launch site, a Ship forward flap aerocover with TPS tile mounting points was spotted, and liquid nitrogen deliveries to the Orbital Tank Farm continued.
19th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Liquid Nitrogen Finally Flows into the Orbital Tank Farm....view.
The Orbital Tank Farm receives its first batches of Liquid Nitrogen as the site gets closer to becoming operational. Meanwhile, multiple Raptor engines are installed and removed from Booster 4 and Ship 20.
18th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Raptor Center (RC) Engine #67 Removed from Booster 4....view.
Raptor Center Engine RC67 was removed from Booster 4, Ship 17's Thrust Section was spotted being scrapped, and a Ship aerocover was delivered.
17th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Cryo Tank Shell 5 Rolled to the Launch Site....view.
Super Heavy Booster 5's forward dome section was moved inside a production tent, Cryo Tank Shell 5 rolled out to the launch site, and a Booster Methane Transfer Tube (aka downcomer) was delivered to the production site.
16th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Aerocovers for New Starship Delivered....view.
As Ship 20 sits on Suborbital Pad B, SpaceX receives new Aerocovers for a future Starship. Meanwhile, foundation work for the new, wider High Bay continues.
15th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Starship S20 Heat Shield Nearly Complete....view.
Work on Starship S20's heat shield tiles appears nearly complete, construction around the Orbital Launch Site continued, and Booster 5 was spotted hooked up to the crane in the High Bay.
14th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
GSE Tank 8 Aft Dome Flipped....view.
GSE Tank 8's Aft Dome is flipped in preparation of stacking as the rest of the tank section resides in the Mid Bay. Tank 8 will complete the first Tank Farm at the Orbital Launch Site. Meanwhile, work on the Carriage System for the Chopsticks continues.
13th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Tropical Storm Nicholas Impacts Starbase....view.
High winds and rain roll through Boca Chica as Tropical Storm turned Hurricane Nicholas makes its way up the Texas coastline. Meanwhile, two sections of Booster 5 are stacked in the High Bay.
12th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Booster 6 Section Spotted at the Production Site....view.
Booster 6's Common Dome section was spotted at the Production Site just days after Booster 5 stacking began. Meanwhile, work continues on the Carriage System for the Chopsticks at the Launch Site.
11th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
New Claw Spotted for Mechazilla....view.
A New Claw Arm is spotted near the Catch Arms at the Launch Site. It is unclear if they are for Mechazilla's catching system or for the Quick Disconnect Arm. Meanwhile, Booster 4 remains sitting on the Orbital Launch Mount ready to begin its test campaign.
10th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Super Heavy Booster 5 Stacking Begins....view.
Super Heavy Booster 5’s Common Dome Section appeared in the High Bay as stacking of the next booster begins. B5’s Forward Dome was spotted on the sleeving stand with its forward barrel section nearby, the final remaining section of SN6 was scrapped, and a Raptor Vacuum (RVac) engine was moved to the Launch Site, presumably for installation on Ship 20.
9th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Orbital Launch Mount Work Continues as Booster 4 and Ship 20 Prep for Testing....view.
With Booster 4 now resting on the Orbital Launch Mount, work continues to prepare the Mount for testing and ultimately orbital launches from Boca Chica. Meanwhile, Ship 20's Thermal Protection Tile work appears to be nearing the end with only a small amount of red and green tags still visible.
8th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Super Heavy Booster 4 Lifted Back onto the Orbital Launch Mount....view.
Super Heavy Booster 4 was lifted onto the Orbital Launch Mount for a second time, potentially for fit checks. Meanwhile, work on Ship 20's Thermal Protection System Tiles, the foundation for the new High Bay, and the Chopstick arms continued.
7th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Super Heavy Booster 4 Rolled Back to the Launch Site....view.
Super Heavy Booster 4 was rolled back to the Orbital Launch Site and readied for lifting onto the Launch Mount. Meanwhile, work on Ship 20's TPS tiles continued.
6th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Raptor Engines Installed on Ship 20 Prior to Testing....view.
Ship 20 has sea-level Raptor engines installed overnight ahead of its test campaign, while heat shield tile work near completion. Meanwhile, Booster 5's Aft Dome is prepared for sleeving outside the Production Tents.
5th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Crews Replace Ship 20's Heat Shield Tiles....view.
As SpaceX prepares to test Ship 20, crews replace many of its damaged heat shield tiles. Meanwhile, three sea-level Raptor engines are delivered to the Launch Site and a Common Dome Section, believed to be for Booster 5, is prepped for flipping.
4th
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
New Wide High Bay Foundation Work Continues....view.
Crews are hard at work clearing the area for SpaceX's new, wider High Bay. This new High Bay will dramatically increase Starship & Super Heavy production and assembly cadence ahead of regular orbital missions. Meanwhile, work continues on Ship 20 to prepare it for testing.
3rd
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Cryo Tank Shell 6 Rolled Out....view.
SpaceX rolls out a new Cryo Tank Shell to the Orbital Launch Site's tank farm. Cryo Tank Shells are used to insulate the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) tanks. Meanwhile, crews continue to work on Booster 4 in the High Bay.
2nd
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
Repairs Continue on Ship 20’s Heat Shield....view.
As SpaceX continues to prepare for Ship 20’s test campaign, crews are still repairing its heat shield. Meanwhile, work on the Chopsticks also continues.
1st
Starbase, Boca Chica
NSF
New Common Dome Sleeved, Presumably for Booster 5....view.
As crews continue to repair Ship 20's thermal protection tiles, a new Common Dome, presumed for Booster 5, is sleeved at the Production Site. Meanwhile, GSE Tank 7 is installed at the Orbital Launch Site.

NSF = Nasa Space Flight....view. Tes = Teslarati....view. Key Dates in yellow