{"id":24780,"date":"2021-11-26T20:02:22","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T12:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/starbase-setting-the-stage-for-ambitious-2022-launch-campaign\/"},"modified":"2021-11-26T20:02:22","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T12:02:22","slug":"starbase-setting-the-stage-for-ambitious-2022-launch-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/starbase-setting-the-stage-for-ambitious-2022-launch-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Starbase setting the stage for ambitious 2022 launch campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX is lining up a fleet of vehicles for an ambitious 2022 test campaign, opening with the first orbital velocity test in January or February, followed by the potential of around 12 flights during the year.<\/p>\n<p>Backing up that ambition is the production cadence at Starbase, with sections for Ship 24 recently spotted while numerous additional vehicle sections \u2013 such as a herd of nosecones \u2013 are amassing inside the production tents.<\/p>\n<p>Setting the Stage:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Will Ship 20 Need More Testing? | Starship Update (Narrated)\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mIkWjchHYJU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>SpaceX Super Heavy\/Starship Section<\/li>\n<li>L2 SpaceX Section<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The current plan is to fly Booster 4 with Ship 20 on an orbital velocity test, ending with a splashdown landing. The Booster will land in the Gulf of Mexico, while Starship will return around 100 km off the northwest coast of Kauai, Hawaii.<\/p>\n<p>Numerous milestones will be undertaken with this first flight of the full-stack Starship vehicle, with the launch under the Booster\u2019s 29 Raptor engines, ascent trajectory control, staging, Starship ignition, and return just some of the highlights.<\/p>\n<p>Getting Starship up to orbital velocity will be the ultimate win, although there will be valuable data points throughout every stage of flight.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 637px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1462848657766731783&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F11%2Fstarbase-setting-stage-ambitious-2022-campaign%2F&amp;sessionId=280bf0bfa64c8933768d7290d11b3954becc1236&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1462848657766731783\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Aerospace industry analysis<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Space Shuttle<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>SpaceX launch tickets<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>Currently, Ship 20 has passed primary ground testing objectives, with a full-set Static Fire test of its three sea-level Raptors and three RVacs.<\/p>\n<p>Liberation of Thermal Protection System (TPS) tiles also appears to have been chiefly mitigated based on that test, with Ship 20\u2019s heat shield appearing to be in fine shape ahead of its next event, expected to be stacking with Booster 4.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Booster 4 Continues to be Prepared for Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nTFT1QQAlkw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>That Super Heavy continues to wait patiently near the Orbital Launch Site (OLS) mount, one of the focal points for ongoing work on Stage 0.<\/p>\n<p>Although the first launch attempt won\u2019t result in a capture by the \u201cMechazilla\u201d chopsticks, the stacking of the Booster and Ship is set to be conducted by that device as designed.<\/p>\n<p>The first operation will involve stacking Booster 4 onto the mount ahead of a Static Fire test campaign, with the latest processing involving the installation of aerodynamic covers over the exposed aft hardware of the vehicle.\n<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-82239\" class=\"size-full wp-image-82239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2448\" height=\"1370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042.jpg 2448w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042-625x350.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042-1920x1075.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-27-29-042-1170x655.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2448px) 100vw, 2448px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-82239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aero covers being moved for installation on Booster 4 \u2013 via Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.<\/p>\n<p>The protective panels installed around the outer Raptor Boost engines are also on show, tasked with protecting the Raptors during atmospheric re-entry.<\/p>\n<p>Work on the mount has been ongoing, with a mix of welding, installation, Quick Disconnect (QD) tests, and even a visually impressive vent being observed over recent days.<\/p>\n<p>The latter was related to proofing tests of the newly-installed plumbing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Orbital Launch Mount Venting | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LRwYbx09MFY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid2\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Booster 4 will require proof testing, cryo testing, and potentially several Static Fire tests with increasing amounts of engines being fired up \u2013 through to the full 29 engine set. The decision will then be made on stacking Ship 20 atop the Booster.<\/p>\n<p>Compared to the full-stack fit check undertaken in August, additional milestones will become the focus during this stage of preparations for a potential flight.<\/p>\n<p>Ship 20 will be hooked up to the Quick Disconnect (QD) system partway up the Launch Tower. In addition, lines \u2013 which will supply \u201cfluids and electrical\u201d connections to the Ship\u2019s aft \u2013 are being installed on the arm, which will also provide stability to the stacked vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starship Quick Disconnect Mechanism Installed | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KInDNCzDL-0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid3\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Amid Elon Musk\u2019s traditionally ambitious timelines, his recent interview with the National Academies of Sciences\u2019 Space Studies Board and the Board on Physics and Astronomy provided an update to the schedule.<\/p>\n<p>With the hope the FAA will conclude its Environmental Assessment process by the end of the year, Elon Musk cited January \u201cor perhaps February\u201d as the current target for the orbital launch attempt.<\/p>\n<p>There also remains the option that Booster 4 and Ship 20 will only be used for ground testing, likely a decision point following the upcoming tests at the Orbital Launch Site.<\/p>\n<p>Should that become the scenario, Starbase \u2013 as has become its routine during the Starship prototype program \u2013 has Booster 5 and Ship 21 waiting in the wings.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Booster 5 Fully Stacked | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X1BXF7pdo8s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid4\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Booster 5 has now been fully stacked in the High Bay, concluding primary assembly on the vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>Ship 21 resides in the Mid Bay, patiently waiting for room in the High Bay.<\/p>\n<p>The next expected milestone for Ship 21 is the installation of its aero surfaces, followed by the mating of its nosecone, which takes place inside the taller High Bay facility.<\/p>\n<p>The nosecone is in the final stages of receiving its TPS tiles and again appears to be benefiting from the previous processing flows via the appearance of a very clean-looking tile installation compared to Ship 20\u2019s initial process.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-82238\" class=\"size-full wp-image-82238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2473\" height=\"1380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208.jpg 2473w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208-627x350.jpg 627w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208-1920x1071.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-05-17-208-1170x653.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2473px) 100vw, 2473px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-82238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ship 21\u2019s nosecone TPS via Nic (@nicansuini) for NSF.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping Ship 21 company in the Mid Bay is a new stablemate, Ship 22.<\/p>\n<p>Stacking of that vehicle is now taking place, a clear sign of intent in the tradition of Starbase, ultimately resulting in ready-to-roll vehicles in the event one is lost at the launch site during testing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Ship 22 Stacking Begins | SpaceX Boca Chica\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m6L0TM1lghc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid5\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Booster 6\u2019s forward dome was sleeved on November 11, while parts for Booster 7 have been spotted around the site as well.<\/p>\n<p>However, the production cadence is even more impressive when looking around the Production Tents, with multiple nosecones inside the buildings and sections for vehicles up to Ship 24 now being prepared.<\/p>\n<p>NSF\u2019s Nic Ansuni spotted the Common Dome of that future Starship during the week.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 678px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-2&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1463588695227858944&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F11%2Fstarbase-setting-stage-ambitious-2022-campaign%2F&amp;sessionId=280bf0bfa64c8933768d7290d11b3954becc1236&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1463588695227858944\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>SpaceX was well aware of the projected increase in production cadence and has started to build a new processing facility, nicknamed the \u201cWide Bay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Twice the current High Bay width, the new facility will allow multiple Booster and Ship stacking flows to occur in parallel.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-82240\" class=\"size-full wp-image-82240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2089\" height=\"1388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804.jpg 2089w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-527x350.jpg 527w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-1920x1276.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-1170x777.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-26-05-24-49-804-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2089px) 100vw, 2089px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-82240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wide Bay fast rising out of the ground at Starbase, via Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.<\/p>\n<p>Based on the current pace, the \u201cWide Bay\u201d is likely to be ready to support processing operations early next year, ahead of the busy test launch schedule.<\/p>\n<p>As cited by Elon Musk during his recent interview, the main bottleneck is the production of the Raptor engines that will fly with the 2022 manifest. \u201cEngine build rate is currently the biggest constraint on how many vehicles we can make,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-3\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 697px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-3&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1463595531108823050&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F11%2Fstarbase-setting-stage-ambitious-2022-campaign%2F&amp;sessionId=280bf0bfa64c8933768d7290d11b3954becc1236&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1463595531108823050\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>With the Booster set to move from 29 to 33 engines, along with the advancement to the Raptor 2 engine, a new Raptor factory is being built at SpaceX\u2019s test site in McGregor, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>The engines also test-fired at this facility, with daily roars from one of the five test bays. One engine spotted by NSF\u2019s Gary Blair for NSF\u2019s L2 McGregor section is potentially named RC102, although it\u2019s hard to confirm via the aerial photo taken from a distance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-82241\" class=\"size-full wp-image-82241\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-350x219.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-558x350.jpg 558w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-768x482.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-1920x1204.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/NSF-2021-11-25-21-57-49-743-watermarked-1170x734.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-82241\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Another new Raptor on the original vertical Raptor stand, via Gary Blair for NSF.<\/p>\n<p>Although the Booster and Ship will eventually return their Raptors via a successful landing, such a milestone is not expected during the initial attempts. However, SpaceX hopes to complete its test flight program during 2022 before moving into operational missions with payloads the following year.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless, SpaceX needs to \u201cmake lots of Starships and make lots of engines in parallel,\u201d as noted by Elon Musk.<\/p>\n<p>However, the focus remains steadfast, with the creation of a rapidly reusable interplanetary launch system involving around one thousand Starships to achieve Musk\u2019s primary goal of making life multi-planetary.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-4\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 297px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-4&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1461114997388492804&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2021%2F11%2Fstarbase-setting-stage-ambitious-2022-campaign%2F&amp;sessionId=280bf0bfa64c8933768d7290d11b3954becc1236&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"1461114997388492804\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Photos and videos provided by Nic Ansuini (@nicansuini), Mary (@bocachicagal), and Gary Blair. Additional information and article assistance provided by the NSF (L2 Level) Discord.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Starbase Live: 24\/7 Starship &amp; Super Heavy Development From SpaceX's Boca Chica Facility\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mhJRzQsLZGg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid6\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>For live updates, follow NASASpaceFlight\u2019s Twitter account and the NSF Starship Forum Sections.<\/p>\n<p>**Support NSF\u2019s youtube channel by subscribing and\/or joining here**<\/p>\n<p>Grab some cool gear along with the ability to support our content: https:\/\/shop.nasaspaceflight.com\/<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-82005 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/store-banner-1_1400x.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1400\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/store-banner-1_1400x.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/store-banner-1_1400x-350x105.png 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/store-banner-1_1400x-630x189.png 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/store-banner-1_1400x-768x230.png 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/store-banner-1_1400x-1170x351.png 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SpaceX is lining up a fleet of vehicles for an ambitious 2022 test campaign, opening with the first orbital velocity test in January or February, followed by the potential of around 12 flights during the year. Backing up that ambition is the production cadence at Starbase, with sections for Ship 24 recently spotted while numerous [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[8089,2093,597,1650,739,317,8624],"class_list":["post-24780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-booster","tag-mcgregor","tag-raptor","tag-ship-24","tag-starbase","tag-starship","tag-wide-bay"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24780"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24780"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24780\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}