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Starbase

All articles tagged with #starbase

technology4 days ago•8 min saved

SpaceX’s Starship V3 First Flight Advances, Yet Engine Hurdles Remain

SpaceX launched Starship V3 from Starbase, reaching about 195 km in altitude, testing heat shield performance and fins during a fiery reentry, while deploying 22 payloads (20 Starlink mockups plus two inspection satellites) and completing a water landing. Two Raptor engines failed during ascent (one on the booster, one on Starship), and a planned in‑space engine restart was not attempted, though the vehicle demonstrated engine‑out resilience. The booster did not return to a controlled splashdown, while the ship’s flight offered valuable data as SpaceX eyes an orbital test later this summer and progress toward NASA Artemis milestones.

via Ars Technica|

#raptor-3 #spacex #starbase

space-exploration8 days ago•78 min saved

SpaceX Preps Starship V3 for May 21 Flight 12 Megarocket Test

SpaceX plans to launch the Starship Flight 12 test of the V3 design from Starbase on May 21 within a 90‑minute window opening at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Flight 12 will be the first Starship V3 test from Pad 2 and features a redesigned booster that will water‑land off the Gulf of Mexico, while the Ship upper stage conducts a long suborbital flight and deploys 22 dummy Starlink satellites before reentry. The mission is expected to last a little over an hour, with a backup launch date possible on May 22 if weather or technical issues delay the start.

via Space|

#flight-12 #may-21-2026 #space-exploration

technology9 days ago•12 min saved

SpaceX Targets May 20 Launch Window for 12th Starship Flight

SpaceX is targeting May 20 for the 12th Starship flight test from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas, with a 5:30 p.m. launch window; temporary closures of State Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach will be needed and a safety perimeter will be set in coordination with local authorities, though the date could change based on conditions.

via KRGV|

#boca-chica-beach #cameron-county #spacex

space-exploration15 days ago•75 min saved

Starship V3 Debut Targets May 19 Launch Window

SpaceX plans the debut flight of Starship Version 3 on May 19 from Starbase, with a 6:30 p.m. ET launch window. The V3 design brings major upgrades to the booster and ship, including larger, stronger grid fins, a redesigned fuel-transfer system, and a new Raptor propulsion setup, with the mission deploying 22 dummy Starlink satellites about 17.5 minutes after liftoff and splashing down in the Indian Ocean while the booster returns to a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico; this test marks the first flight of a significantly redesigned Starship aimed at rapid reuse and enabling moon/Mars missions.

via Space|

#launch #raptor #space-exploration

technology19 days ago•35 min saved

Deluge-test blast at SpaceX Starbase stalls looming Starship flight

An explosion occurred during a water-deluge test at SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, captured on NASASpaceflight’s livestream and potentially delaying the next Starship flight test; SpaceX continues work toward a fully reusable rocket for NASA’s Artemis program, but no date has been set for the next test.

via Yahoo|

#artemis #delugetest #spacex

technology20 days ago•33 min saved

Explosion disrupts SpaceX Starbase as Starship test nears

An explosion was recorded at SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas during a deluge test ahead of a crucial Starship flight test. A NASASpaceflight livestream captured a large plume and debris; SpaceX said engineers are investigating the incident and it is unclear whether launch preparations will be affected. No new date has been set for the next Starship test, though Elon Musk previously suggested it could be 4–6 weeks away. The Starship/Super Heavy stack, when operational, would stand about 124 meters tall and is a key part of NASA’s Artemis moon program.

via Yahoo News Canada|

#artemis-program #deluge-test #spacex

technology2 months ago•4 min saved

Starbase Overhaul Aims for Back-to-Back Starship Launches

SpaceX is upgrading its Starbase complex with a new flame trench, on-site air separation unit, expanded propellant storage, and relocated ground support to slash turnaround times. Pad 1 is being rebuilt for rapid reuse while Pad 2 undergoes extensive verification testing, including synchronized clamp-retraction demos and tower shielding. An expanded tank farm and the onboard ASU aim to enable on-demand cryogens, reducing logistics bottlenecks as Flight 12 nears and paving the way for quicker flights (Flight 13 onward).

via NASASpaceFlight.com -|

#launch-pad #rapid-reusability #spacex

space-and-spaceflight2 months ago•16 min saved

Starship V3 Clears Its First Static Fire, Aims for April Launch

SpaceX’s Starship Version 3 reached a key milestone with Booster 19’s first static fire, firing 10 Raptor 3 engines for about a second before a ground-systems issue ended the test. Engineers will push toward a full 33-engine static fire and final checks on Ship 39 as stacking for Flight 12 progresses, eyeing an inaugural Moon/Mars mission in April and a potential use of Starship’s upper stage for NASA Artemis plans amid a challenging development path.

via Gizmodo|

#raptor-engines #space-and-spaceflight #spaceflight

technology3 months ago•4 min saved

SpaceX's Starbase expansion nearly doubles launch site, enabling Pad 1 overhaul and LNG facilities

SpaceX has won approval to nearly double the Starbase launch site footprint, enabling the ongoing Pad 1 redesign, a new flame trench with CFA piles, and space for LNG liquefaction and expanded ground-support infrastructure as part of a lengthy, phased expansion overseen by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

via NASASpaceFlight.com -|

#launch-site-expansion #lng #pad-1-redesign

technology7 months ago•2 min saved

SpaceX Advances to Starship V3 After Successful Test Flights

SpaceX successfully completed the final test flight of the current Starship V2, hitting key goals and moving the program into its next phase with the development of the upgraded V3 prototype, which is designed for in-orbit docking, propellant transfer, and future lunar and Martian missions.

via TechCrunch|

#mars #rockettest #spacex

science-and-technology7 months ago•4 min saved

SpaceX aims for consecutive successful Starship launches amid lunar race concerns

SpaceX is preparing for its next Starship test flight from Starbase in Texas on October 13, which will include testing various systems and maneuvers, with an 80% chance of favorable weather, and aims to minimize air traffic disruption while advancing its vehicle versions and launch capabilities.

via SpaceNews|

#launch #science-and-technology #spacex

space7 months ago•3 min saved

SpaceX Targets Back-to-Back Successful Starship Launches Amid Moon Race Competition

SpaceX is preparing for its final Version 2 Starship-Super Heavy launch from Starbase, Texas, scheduled for Monday evening, marking the last flight of this iteration and pad configuration, with plans to develop and test Starship Version 3 for future orbital missions.

via Spaceflight Now|

#launch #space #spacex

space-exploration8 months ago•7 min saved

SpaceX Prepares Starship for Upcoming Tests and Urban Overflights

SpaceX is progressing with static fire testing of Ship 38 at Starbase while rebuilding infrastructure after an anomaly with Ship 36. The company is also expanding and upgrading its launch site, including new tank farms, control bunkers, and facilities to support future launches, with a proposal pending approval for further expansion and on-site propellant production. Meanwhile, vehicle assembly continues with Booster 18 and Ship 39, and construction at the site advances toward supporting upcoming flights and vehicle stacking.

via NASASpaceFlight.com -|

#launch-site-expansion #ship-38 #space-exploration

science10 months ago•3 min saved

SpaceX Prepares for Upcoming Starship Test Flights

SpaceX has moved its Starship upper stage to the launch pad at Starbase for testing ahead of its 10th flight, expected to occur next month, as part of ongoing development of the world's largest reusable rocket aimed at Mars colonization and space exploration.

via Space|

#flight-10 #rocket-testing #science

industry10 months ago•5 min saved

Starbase's Injury Rates Surpass Rivals Amid SpaceX's Mars Mission Goals

SpaceX's Starbase facility has significantly higher employee injury rates compared to industry averages, with a TRIR of 4.27 in 2024, indicating potential safety concerns despite rapid development of the Starship program. The injury rate at Starbase has remained high since 2019, raising questions about safety culture amid the company's fast-paced progress.

via TechCrunch|

#industry #injury-rates #osha