SpaceX has opened a job listing for the next vertical integration facility for Starship Construction at Starbase, TX.

This could be a possible "GigaBay" (as SpaceX called it in the listing before editing out that word) to replace the High Bay or possibly all of SpaceX's vertical integration facilities currently in Starbase, including Mega Bay 1 and 2.

​​​​​​​https://x.com/i/jobs/1861289050990354433

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024...ndup-11-27-24/

Starbase continues its rapid pace of advancement after Starship Flight 6

With a successful test of Starship Flight 6, SpaceX has continued building on its many projects around Starbase. Repair work has begun around the launch site, with damage found in different areas of the tower from prior launches. A proposed Gigabay could be coming to the Starbase production site shortly, and Ship 26 has finally been scrapped. The groundwork is also beginning to be laid for brand-new projects around Starbase and even Kennedy Space Center.……

VideoBooster 14 has made the journey from Megabay to the launch pad ahead of upcoming testing prior to flight 7, speculated to be early January.

Static fire of the Flight 7 Super Heavy booster.

Oh, and under the OLM for a Booster Static Fire.

Wonder what power they run that at...? With a short fuel load and no Starship on top I'd be amazed if they could even hold it down with the clamps at anything like full power.

Ship version 2 forward flaps (left) vs. Ship version 1 (right) forward flaps.

Both images by @StarshipGazer

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....83642183cc.png

Elon Misk:

Major design improvement. Lighter, easier to manufacture and less susceptible to high heating.

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SpaceX is hiring engineers for crewed Starship.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a08c45f5eb.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....5434e5a4a3.png
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SpaceX has petitioned to incorporate Starbase as a Type-C Municipality.

Cameron County will review the request for compliance. If valid, voters in the proposed area will decide in an election.

The County Judge is working to ensure all statutory requirements are met.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ded91e9b60.png
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Starship 33 static fired today in preparation for upcoming Starship test flight 7.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....af186499d3.png
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Interesting move. Some Googling....

The FAA has just issued the Launch License for Starship test flight 7….

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We are living in a golden age where science fiction is becoming science fact.

Do we know the launch date ?

Target date is 11th January.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024...a-flight-7-go/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starship_flight_test_7

Blue Origin still trying to launch this year? Gone very quiet....

Answering my own question

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/1...soon-as-today/

Edit: forgiven me, but don't think we really need a new thread for Blue Origin, do we....?

I see the 11th January not 1st.

Sorry, typo, meant 11th.

Production line keeping them coming. Still Block 1.Super Heavy Booster 15 has rolled out of Megabay 1 tonight for an overnight move to Massey's test site for its first cryogenic tanking and thrust simulation testing. This will be the booster for Starship flight 8.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4b27a741ef.png
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Just like the Raptors have shown an increasing sophistication, reflected in a look of simplicity, the same is true of the Starship - also a substantial weight reduction….

Old internal design followed by the new.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....5afa701e10.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4a480d0c7c.png