Booster 7 (B7)

X

Please join this Wiki! Edit articles and discuss your favourite topics. Find more infos here.

For the full stack, see Starship 7/24 and OFT-1.

Booster 7 (B7) was a Super Heavy booster prototype that took flight for the first near orbital flight attempt In April 20 2023, after Booster 4 (B4) was retired. It is the first booster to feature 33 Raptor engines and the first booster to be fitted with Raptor 2 engines. Booster 7 has experienced a long lasting test campaign since its roll out on 31 March 2022 with the first ever static fire on the orbital launch mount occurring only on 09 August 2022. A spin prime test with all 33 engines on 12 July 2022, resulted in an explosion at the OLM as cryogenic fuel evaporated and came in contact with oxygen atmosphere. This resulted in some damage on the orbital launch mount as well as some engines of Booster 7.

According to NSF^[1], B7 features several design changes as part of SpaceX's iterative R&D approach. Similarly, design changes were spotted on respective Ship prototypes (see: S22, S24)

Nobs and holes for booster/ship integration are reversed: since S22 and B7, holes are on booster (negative side) and nobs on ship (positive side)
Thrust section: B3, B4, B5 had three standard 1.8m/6ft ring; B7 thrust section has four 1.4m/4.5ft rings, stringers now extended all the way down; B7+ will support Raptor 2 engines (vs B4 V1.5 engines)
Header tanks: B5 had a long tube tank on the side of the LOX tank; B7 has new design that is located in the middle and encloses the transfer tube (coaxial tank); new transfer tubes with plate that has three holes (likely for providing landing LOX for center 3 engines)
Pressurization lines: B4, B5 had 4 lines for each tank; B7 only two per tank
Aerosurfaces: B7 has new COPVs arrangement (2 vertical columns instead of horizontal ring); covered by "nominal" sections, forming chines (dual purpose: protect COPVs, additional cross sectional surface area - additional cross range, extra drag and reduced approach velocity)

Picture of the 33 Raptor engines, each producing 230 metric tons of force^[2]:

History[]

First parts of Booster 7 have been spotted in late October/early November 2021. Stacking work picked up in December 2021 with much of the LOX section being assembled. In January 2022 the CH4 tank section followed.

A video by Elon Musk shows the installation of the 13 inner engines in August 2022, as well as a glimpse into Mega Bay^[3]:

On October 31st, the following scheme was published, showing the remaining path to an orbital flight test^[4]:

Timeline[]

Open or close the timeline here:

05 Oct 2021: Booster [B5/B6?] thrust puck with 13 engine mounts delivered for booster with new 33 engine design (3, 10, 20 vs 1, 8, 20) [add: B7?]
06 Oct 2021: New booster thrust puck for 13 engines [B5/B6?] lifted from truck [add: B7]
24 Oct 2021: Booster methane transfer tube (downcomer) delivered (two parts) [add Dec: not first one; first one seen early Oct, likely for B7/B8]
24 Oct 2021: Booster aft dome lowered onto sleeving stand [B6/B7?]
03 Nov 2021: B7? fwd tank #2 spotted
13 Nov 2021: Booster aft tank #5 spotted [Label looks like B7]
14 Nov 2021: B7 "fwd dome stiffened barrel" 3-ring sleeve spotted
27 Nov 2021: Booster common dome section flipped [likely B7?]
20 Dec 2021: Booster common dome section spotted in High Bay [add B7]
20 Dec 2021: 33 Raptor thrust/aft dome lifted onto sleeving stand [B7/B8] [add: B7]
21 Dec 2021: B7/B8 stacking in High Bay began [add: B7]
21 Dec 2021: Booster fwd dome attached to crane, lifted onto sleeving stand [likely B7/B8], sleeved with the 3-ring booster fwd dome sleeve
21 Dec 2021: B7/B8 aft dome section sleeved (4-ring segment, 2 rings stiffeners; smaller rings [???]; 33 engines) and lifted from sleeving stand; 3-ring booster fwd dome sleeve with 2-rings stiffeners in front of it
22 Dec 2021: [B7/B8?] fwd section lifted off sleeving stand, moved into tent 1
22 Dec 2021: [B7/B8?] section lifted into High Bay for stacking (4-ring with lead-ins)
22 Dec 2021: [B7/B8?] 8-ring tank section (LOX and cmn dome) lifted by bridge crane; stacked onto the 4-ring section [add: B7]
23 Dec 2021: B7 in High Bay 12 rings tall [B7 according to NSF]
27 Dec 2021: Aft #4 ring barrel (4-ring with lead-ins) lifted into High Bay and stacked with LOX section; now 16 out of 23 rings tall
28 Dec 2021: Fwd tank #3 section (3-ring) spotted; cmn dome barrel without dome
07 Jan 2022: Aft LOX tank segment #5 (4-ring) moved into High Bay
07 Jan 2022: B7 LOX tank section lifted in High Bay; stacked onto another LOX tank section (now 20 out of 23 rings tall) [vid 08]
08 Jan 2022: Rotated in tent
12 Jan 2022: Downcomer installed into LOX section beginning at around 19:55
14 Jan 2022: Fwd dome section (sleeved) spotted outside High Bay
15 Jan 2022: 3-ring CH4 tank section (with lead-ins) and fwd dome section moved into High Bay
17 Jan 2022: Fwd section #3 (3-ring) in High Bay; stacked, now 6/13 rings tall
18 Jan 2022: CH4 section stacked on a 3-ring section; now 9 of 13 rings tall
22 Jan 2022: Aft tank section #4 moved near High Bay [?]
22 Jan 2022: LCH4 section stacked on another 4-ring section at 1:30am, now 13 out of 13 rings tall
23 Jan 2022: CH4 section being welded by a robotic welder in High Bay
27 Jan 2022: Moved moved around in the High Bay
01 Feb 2022: Jig has been installed on its side
02 Feb 2022: Methane section has moved in High Bay
03 Feb 2022: High Bay load spreader connected to B7 methane tank section (no grid fins installed yet to fwd section)
05 Feb 2022: Work on fwd section (still attached to bridge crane)
13 Feb 2022: Methane section moved from High Bay into Mid Bay, LOX section moved inside High Bay, relocated
16 Feb 2022: B7 [?] aft section (4-ring) spotted [possibly the number is B9, difficult to read]
04 March 2022: Grid fins spotted, not painted black (yet?)
04 March 2022: Work in High Bay
05 March 2022: B7 aft section with a new design spotted at tent entrance: different QD plate and addition of a header tank!!, rolled out and moved towards High Bay
05 March 2022: B7 tank section (which one?) lifted and moved in High Bay; LOX section stacked onto thrust section, both tanks now fully stacked
07 March 2022: Rotated in High Bay
07 March 2022: Arrangement of COPVs has changed from a ring around aft section to two vertical columns
09 March 2022: LOX tank lifted onto booster transport sand
10 March 2022: CH4 tank section stacked onto LOX section at 12:47 am; grid fins still missing
11 March 2022: Work through access hole near the weld
20 March 2022: Chines installed: aerocovers for the vertical COPVs
21 March 2022: B7 grid fins in front of S25 mid-LOX barrel section
21 March 2022: Crew work on platform at cmn dome, chine moved
22 March 2022: B7.1 barrel sleeve "Aft dome barrel assy" (4-ring) moved towards sleeving stand, apparently for a new test tank
25 March 2022: New booster QD plate delivered and unloaded at launch site for booster QD; B7's QD design is different from B4
25 March 2022: Disconnected from High Bay crane, moved out of High Bay and rolled back in later, moved out again
25 March 2022: Moved back into High Bay again
28 March 2022: Work at fwd dome, as well as around COPV cover
29 March 2022: Moved inside High Bay, now at its entrance
29 March 2022: Structural test stand (can crusher) work continued at launch site, more parts added; configured for 33 engine booster [B7]
29 March 2022: Work continued around aft section
31 March 2022: B7 rolled out from High Bay to launch site during early morning road closure, followed by a flood light car; later attached to LR11000X
31 March 2022: Work continued around aft section/transport stand ahead of possible lift; according to NSF, the "chines are aerodynamic surfaces that increase the Booster's crossrange when returning to the launch site", they also cover COPVs
01 April 2022: Work on aft section/transport stand; detached from LR11000X and load spreader (reason unknown)
01 April 2022: LR11000X rolled away from B7 towards OLM, Chopsticks turned out of the way; LR11000X attached to B7 at 20:38
02 April 2022: Attached to LR11000X, QD hood on OLM closed, B7 lifted onto OLM by LR11000X (not by chopsticks as some have expected, and not on structural test stand as others expected), a lot of engine attachment point hardware visible; chopsticks slightly rotated towards booster
02 April 2022: Transport stand moved from OLP to booster storage area
03 April 2022: B7 attached to booster QD on OLM
04 April 2022: Has been disconnected form LR11000X; briefly hooked to it again and unhooked shortly after; B7 connected to booster QD on OLM
04 April 2022: Alignment pins from B4 transport stand removed and installed on B7 transport stand
04 April 2022: LR11000X moved away from OLM and B7
04 April 2022: Vented from fwd dome vents ahead of cryo proof test
04 April 2022: B7 first cryo proof test, both tanks fully frosted up at the nearly same pace (CH4 tank frost reaching the top faster); during the filling process, the cmn dome vents constantly vented for short periods; venting stopped for ~1min, then LOX tank filling continued and reached top after some time; detanking started soon after that; later in the night, RCS cmn dome vents and fwd dome vents depress vented and frost/condensation started to reappear shortly after decreasing fully and final full depress vents
05 April 2022: [B7] transport stand worked on, especially on the alignment pins; Pins have been removed from B4 stand to B7 stand
06 April 2022: B7/OLM worked on; LOX tank hatch installed on B7
06 April 2022: [B7] Booster transport stand work continued, especially on alignment pin
07 April 2022: LR11000X picked up load spreader, moved to OLM for potential B7 lift
08 April 2022: Attached to LR11000X, QD retracted, destacked from OLM and placed onto structural test stand [ex can crusher]
09 April 2022: Preparations for testing on structural test stand, hooked up to GSE; work platform erected near it
10 April 2022: Testing preparation work continued via work platform and access hole, GSE lines connected to QD plate
11 April 2022: Work around QD as preparation for testing
12 April 2022: B7 ambient pressure test, (inspected by bird), tank farm active; pressure release through all vents at common and fwd dome
13 April 2022: B7 some sort of white felt near its aft section
13 April 2022: B7 ambient proof test (pneumatic test) on structural test stand late night [vid 14]
14 April 2022: Work on QD area
14 April 2022: Transport stand (with alignment pins) placed on two SPMTs
14 April 2022: B7 cryo proof test on structural test stand, possibly also hydraulic thrust test; ice formed on both tanks; in the second round, LOX tank got fully frosty; during this test, the CH4 transfer tube likely collapsed or was damaged
15 April 2022: LR11000X moved to B7, load spreader still attached
15 April 2022: Aft section worked on with an unknown orange part of equipment
16 April 2022: Connected to LR11000X
17 April 2022: Umbilical disconnected ahead of possibly lifting it off the structural test stand
18 April 2022: Prepared for lifting, transport stand prepared, lifted by LR11000X and placed onto transport stand (alignment pin not used); load spreader and crane disconnected from B7; rolled back to production site (reason yet unknown)
18 April 2022: B8 moved within High Bay by bridge crane; then moved out of High Bay, likely to make place for B7
18 April 2022: Moved into High Bay; attached to bridge crane
19 April 2022: Worked on in High Bay, especially aft section
20 April 2022: Worked on in High Bay
22 April 2022: In High Bay: chine has been opened up
23 April 2022: Worked on in High Bay; leaked picture from inside LOX tank shows transfer tube scrunched
24 April 2022: Worked on at High Bay; transfer tube possibly being repaired; hydraulic power unit shown; at 17:16, replacement downcomer segments lifted into B7
25 April 2022: Disconnected from bridge crane in High Bay; moved into the corner
27 April 2022: Work continued in High Bay 1
29 April 2022: Work in High Bay 1 continued
01 May 2022: S24 and B7 worked on in High Bay 1
03 May 2022: Work in High Bay 1 continued
05 May 2022: Repair work in High Bay 1 continued
05 May 2022: Counterweights moved to production site by SPMT, possibly for B7 roll out in the near future
05 May 2022: LR11000X moved with load spreader, likely for future B7 lift
06 May 2022: Moved out High Bay 1, prepared for roll out (delayed a bit due to lighning); rolled back shortly
06 May 2022: B7 rolled out to the launch site for the second time [despite speculation after transfer tube failure] (no grid fins installed yet)
06 May 2022: B7 lifted onto OLM by LR11000X, after chopsticks moved out of the way
07 May 2022: S24 tank section moved from mid bay into High Bay 1 [enough space now as B7 has left]
07 May 2022: Worked on at OLM; work through LOX access hatch while still hooked to LR11000X; OLM QD hood opened, extended, QD connected; later crane disconnected from B7 (16:30)
08 May 2022: Work on OLM continued through LOX tank access hole; work on a raceway
09 May 2022: B7 cryo proof test on OLM; both tank fully frosted up before detanking
10 May 2022: LOX hatch reopened, worked inside tank; work on OLM/booster QD
11 May 2022: B7/OLM QD reconnected after it has been disconnected
11 May 2022: B7 cryo proof test on OLM, both tanks fully frosted up; first ever booster/OLM QD retraction test under cryogenic conditions
12 May 2022: OLM/B7 work on "engine" section
12 May 2022: Inspection
12 May 2022: LR11000X moved to OLS, OLM, connected to B7 via loadspreader
13 May 2022: Lifted from OLM onto transport stand by LR11000X
14 May 2022: Elon Musk: First orbital flight by B7 and S24, likely with Starlink satellites in an electrically actuated dispenser; B7 120 degrees chines layout make sense due to pressure [?]; B7 will have lighter grid fins
15 May 2022: B7 rolled back to the production site, entered gate B2 and then High Bay 2 [filmed from gate B6], possibly for Raptor engine installation; later attached to bridge crane
16 May 2022: Worked on in High Bay 2/Mega Bay
17 May 2022: Raptor 2 engines SN21, SN24, SN46, moved into High Bay 2 for installation on B7
18 May 2022: Raptor engine moved into High Bay for installation on B7; another one moved from the High Bay 2 to tent 1
19 May 2022: Work in High Bay 2 continued
22 May 2022: Raptor 2 engine SN63 converted into Rboost, moved into Mega Bay for installation on B7
24 May 2022: B7 work in High Bay 2/Mega Bay continued
26 May 2022: Raptor 2 engine SN70 moved into High Bay 2/Mega Bay for installation on B7; R center or R boost equipment still missing
31 May 2022: Disconnected from bridge crane in High Bay 2 ahead of a potential roll out; engine installation continued
01 June 2022: Raptor engine installation continued; first grid fin installed
02 June 2022: Second grid fin installed, third later this day
03 June 2022: Last grid fin installed
05 June 2022: Elon Musk^[5]: B7 and S24 still planned to complete orbital flight test
07 June 2022: B7 in High Bay 2: at least one of the chines have been removed
11 June 2022: B7 has all 33 engines installed according to Elon Musk^[6]; at least one HPU (hydraulic pressure unit) cover installed
12 June 2022: Umbilicals on structural test stand disassembled, where B7 was cryo tested
15 June 2022: OLM work continued ahead of planned B7 roll out
16 June 2022: Skinnier chines installed
23 June 2022: B7 rolled out from Mega Bay to launch site after repair work has apparently been completed
23 June 2022: Chopsticks lifted before booster B7 arrived, then B7 moved in between the chopsticks; chopsticks closed and moved into position; lifting preparations started; B7 lifted during the night [footage continues in vid 24]
24 June 2022: Chopsticks disconnected from booster, lifted, moved aside and lowered; Ship QD extended towards B7 (although stabilizing arms haven't been reinstalled yet); booster QD on OLM extended towards B7 very slowly
25 June 2022: Raptor stand has moved below B7, OLM
25 June 2022: Igniters tested (not visible, only audible sign)
26 June 2022: Raptor platform under B7/OLM raised, later lowered again; raptor shielding removed for some work on engines, then reinstalled
26 June 2022: Raptor igniters tested again on B7/OLM; several more in the afternoon
27 June 2022: Raptor maintenance stand removed from under B7/OLM, moved next to the EDOME test tank
27 June 2022: Alarm at launch site indicating pad clear ahead of B7 test
27 June 2022: B7 ambient/cryo proof test, although no condensation/frost formation on the booster, a lot of venting though from tank farm, OLM and booster [cryo??, likely ambient?]
28 June 2022: Worked on at the fwd dome area
28 June 2022: Venting
29 June 2022: B7 worked on at the top and in other parts; also worked on inside through LOX access hole
29 June 2022: LOX access hole closed; raptor maintenance platform moved under B7/OLM and work on engine section; later the platform was removed and moved back next to EDOME test tank
29 June 2022: B7 tested and vented (no frost or condensation)
30 June 2022: OLS tank farm/B7 unknown testing with road closure, pad clear and tank farm venting
01 July 2022: Raptor platform again under B7 and OLM as work on engine section continued
02 July 2022: Work on engine/aft section via raptor platform
03 July 2022: Worked on; both on engine section and near cmn dome section; engine shields being installed via raptor platform
06 July 2022: B7 ambient proof tested (no cryo load but venting observed, as well as minor venting at the tank farm), followed by igniter tests
06 July 2022: Grid fins tested [vid 07]
06 July 2022: Raptor engines worked on; likely shielding installation via raptor platform; later the raptor platform moved away
07 July 2022: Engine section work continued
07 July 2022: B7 ambient proof test; venting from OLS tank farm, OLM and B7 pressure vents [vid 08]
07 July 2022: Raptor platform moved under B7/OLM after the test [vid 08]
08 July 2022: Work continued
08 July 2022: Old raptor platform raised and lowered under OLM/B7
09 July 2022: PA at 4:35: "Attention at the orbital pad! Pad is now clearing for Thunderbird."; venting at 6am Chopsticks tested (raised, opened, rotated, lowered while enclosing B7); after that, the ship QD moved in place again
09 July 2022: B7 work continued
09 July 2022: Raptor platform raised and lowered under B7/OLM
09 July 2022: FCC filings: Starlink communication during orbital test via multiple terminals mounted on ship and booster [Michael Baylor]; New flight profile details: booster [B7?] will do either partial return and land in Gulf of Mexico or do a full return with a catch attempt; Ship will reach about 250km altitude, then powered landing in Pacific [Michael Baylor]
10 July 2022: Engine work continued on via raptor platform and lifts
11 July 2022: OLM covers delivered to launch site (16) B7 worked on inside
11 July 2022: Raptor platform (old) moved to B7/OLM
11 July 2022: B7 Spin Prime test with all 33 engines, resulted in a huge explosion and some damage on B7 engine section and likely OLM; also a small fire developed around the orbital pad while venting and LOX dumping continued; site inspected by several drones
12 July 2022: OLM and B7 inspection; the damage on the OLM legs is visible but likely not significant; other damage spotted: raptor trailer, argon storage, potential engine cover, generator, welding equipment, OLM railings, cabinets, small pipework on the OLIT, chopsticks scaffolding, ventilation hose, lamps, OLT control panels, scorching [Oscar Sparrow]
12 July 2022: Raptor platform (old) moved under B7/OLM
13 July 2022: Engine section inspection continued via raptor platform, the whole day
13 July 2022: SPMTs moved to the launch site, under the booster transport stand, likely for B7 transport back to production site
13 July 2022: Single raptor engine moved to launch site; replaced another (outer ring) engine on B7, unknown reason why this was done at the launch site; after that, the raptor platform moved away from B7 and OLM [vid 14]
14 July 2022: Chopsticks opened ahead of B7 lifting operation, closed again (possibly to test the new actuator)
14 July 2022: Engine shrouds removed from B7
14 July 2022: B7 raptor engine moved to production site
14 July 2022: Booster QD retracted, ship QD arm retracted, chopsticks raised, closed in on B7, attached to lift points; B7 lifted off the OLM by chopsticks, onto booster transport stand (by the help of the pins!); removed engine shielding visible; then chopsticks disconnected from B7
15 July 2022: Booster QD adapter connected to B7
15 July 2022: B7 rolled back to the production site for inspection and repairs after the testing anomaly from July 11th; moved into Mega Bay/High Bay 2
15 July 2022: Raptors SN99 and SN76 delivered, possibly as replacement on B7
17 July 2022: OLM still charred from B7 explosion; work continued
17 July 2022: Inspected in High Bay 2/Wide Bay
17 July 2022: First raptor engines started to be removed
19 July 2022: Inspections continued in High Bay 2/Wide Bay; 13 engines have now been removed
22 July 2022: Raptor engines SN95, SN101, SN102, SN104 delivered to production site; Raptor engines SN48, SN66, SN80, SN81 loaded for leaving [likely from B7]
25 July 2922: Raptor engines (SN29, SN68, SN36 identified, fourth one not clear) loaded onto truck; likely from B7
01 Aug 2022: Damaged engine shrouds from B7 spotted at launch site
01 Aug 2022: B8 worked on in Mega Bay, B7 isn't visible in Mega Bay
02 Aug 2022: Spotted in Mega Bay
03 Aug 2022: B7 and B8 spotted in Mega Bay [vid 04]
05 Aug 2022: Moved in Mega Bay
05 Aug 2022: B7 rolled out to launch site; outer engines installed; arrived at 00:16 on 6 August
06 Aug 2022: B7 moved away from the orbital launch site as a lift with chopsticks wasn't possible anymore [6 August]^[7]
06 Aug 2022: Connected to LR11000X via load spreader [vid 08] Booster QD retracted (hood closed) [vid 08]
06 Aug 2022: B7 lifted onto OLM by LR11000X as chopsticks were broken [vid 08]
08 Aug 2022: LR11000X moved away from OLS to SoLS after having lifted B7
08 Aug 2022: OLM and B7 worked on heavily
08 Aug 2022: B7 spin prime tested twice with one engine (twice the same engine)
09 Aug 2022: B7 static fire on OLM with a single engine for about 3 seconds; a first for both B7 and the OLM [video]
10 Aug 2022: Raptor work platform raised under B7/OLM
11 Aug 2022: Raptor work platform lowered back down under OLM/B7 at 06:55 [vid 12]
11 Aug 2022: Preparation work for more testing [vid 12]
11 Aug 2022: B7 long duration static fire with a single engine (likely same engine as on August 09), testing autogenous pressurization; 20 seconds long [video] [vid 12]
11 Aug 2022: SPMTs moved to launch site to for B7 transport [vid 12]
11 Aug 2022: LR11000X moved towards OLM/B7 [vid 12]
12 Aug 2022: Multiple Raptor engines were moved into the Mega Bay for installation on B7: SN83, SN99, SN26, SN102, SN104, SN72, 5 not identified
12 Aug 2022: B7 connected to LR11000X via load spreader; booster QD retracted; booster transport stand moved into place; ship QD arm retracted; B7 lifted and placed onto transport stand (engines spotted: SN41, SN53, SN86, SN34, SN85, SN39, SN47, SN44, SN51, SN84, SN49, SN70, SN28, SN42, SN21)
12 Aug 2022: B7 rolled back to the production site, rolled into Mega Bay
15 Aug 2022: Spotted in Mega Bay, where it is getting its 13 inner engines installed for further testing; engines worked on (literally)
15 Aug 2022: OLM work continued after B7 left
16 Aug 2022: Work in Mega Bay continued
17 Aug 2022: B7 and B8 (hidden) in Mega Bay, worked on
18 Aug 2022: Worked on in Mega Bay
19 Aug 2022: Worked on in Mega Bay, workers near grid fins
22 Aug 2022: B7 in Mega Bay; inner engines now installed; work continued
23 Aug 2022: Disconnected from bridge crane; Ship QD arm retracted on OLIT; Chopsticks raised ahead of B7 stacking; booster QD lines purged
23 Aug 2022: B7 rolled back to the OLS with all 33 engines installed, much of the engine covers is still missing and will need to be added ahead of a flight test (Raptor engines SN70, SN49, SN84, SN51, SN44, SN63 identified); rolled to the OLS and between the chopsticks arm
23 Aug 2022: B7 and OLM prepared for lifting; connected to chopsticks and lifted slightly; stabilizers attached, guide pins on stand retracted; lifted, rotated and lowered onto OLM
23 Aug 2022: OLM booster QD attached to B7 at 22:48, raptor service platform raised under OLM [vid 23]
24 Aug 2022: OLM raptor platform lifted under OLM/B7; lowered again
24 Aug 2022: OLM pad area cleared of any debris ahead of B7 testing
24 Aug 2022: B7 ignitor test
25 Aug 2022: Chopsticks detached from B7, opened and raised; damaged scaffolding on OLIT during lift
25 Aug 2022: B7 spin prime tested twice on OLM with likely 3 engines
26 Aug 2022: Raptor work platform lifted under OLM/B7
26 Aug 2022: OLM work continued after yesterdays testing; raptor work platform has been raised under B7
29 Aug 2022: Raptor work platform lowered under B7/OLM at around 6 am
29 Aug 2022: B7 cryo testing; no static fire test despite overpressure notice
30 Aug 2022: Raptor work platform lifted under B7/OLM
31 Aug 2022: Raptor maintenance platform lowered from B7 and moved to the landing pad area
31 Aug 2022: B7 static fire test with multiple engines for the first time on OLM for 5-6 seconds; possibly 3 engines intended and 1-2 aborted S24 cryo tested on Pad A; possibly aborted static fire test
01 Sep 2022: One raptor engine removed (engine that wasn't tested yesterday)
02 Sep 2022: New raptor engine delivered at 01:31 am, installed; raptor platform lowered at 5:22 am
02 Sep 2022: Raptor platform raised under OLM/B7
07 Sep 2022: Raptor work platform lowered from OLM/B7 at 20:13
08 Sep 2022: B7 spin prime test of multiple engines
09 Sep 2022: Raptor maintenance platform under OLM/B7
09 Sep 2022: Inspected at the top of fwd dome
12 Sep 2022: Raptor work platform lowered under B7/OLM [vid 13]
12 Sep 2022: Chopsticks raised ahead of B7 testing [vid 13]
12 Sep 2022: B7 spin prime tested, possibly all 33 engines (unconfirmed) [vid 13]
13 Sep 2022: Raptor work platform raised at 01:58 under OLM/B7
16 Sep 2022: B7 spin prime tested (seven engines)
19 Sep 2022: Chopsticks raised ahead of B7 testing [vid 20]
19 Sep 2022: B7 spin prim and static fire tested with seven engines; additionally, the grid fins moved ahead of the test; some damage to the OLM legs (paint?)
19 Sep 2022: Transport stand moved to launch site (possibly for B7 roll back) [vid 20]
20 Sep 2022: Raptor engines SN49 (boost), SN82 (center) removed; later moved to build site
20 Sep 2022: Raptor boost engine SN82 lifted under OLM for installation
20 Sep 2022: Chopsticks lifted and connected to B7 [vid 21]
20 Sep 2022: Transport stand lifting pins raised; chopsticks lifted; B7 lift aborted [vid 21]
21 Sep 2022: B7/OLM QD retracted
21 Sep 2022: Transport stand pins raised again, chopstick stabilizer arms engaged, B7 lifted off OLM onto transport stand
21 Sep 2022: B7 transported back to production site, into Mega Bay for upgrades
26 Sep 2022: Hooked up to both bridge cranes in Mega Bay at around 1 am
06 Oct 2022: Moved inside Mega Bay [vid 07]
07 Oct 2022: Chopsticks rotated and raised ahead of B7 arrival B7 rolled out to pad, between Chopsticks; chopsticks closed and lifting points latched into position; view on upgrades on engine shielding [pic Starship Gazer]; 20 covers still missing, indicating that OLM work hasn't finished yet; installation expected after 33 engine SF
07 Oct 2022: Road closed between 11:44 and 13:00; B7 lift aborted
[to be updated from General Timeline]

Testing Campaign[]

Overview, without full stack tests (see: Starship 7/24):

Date	Test type	Outcome	Details
4 April 2022	Cryogenic Proof	Success	Booster 7 conducted a cryogenic proof test.
13 April 2022	Ambient Proof	Success	Booster 7 conducted a ambient proof test with thrust rams in use.
14 April 2022	Cryogenic Proof	Failure	Booster 7 conducted a cryogenic proof test with thrust rams in use. The methane transfer tube was severely damaged, however.
9 May 2022	Cryogenic Proof	Success	Booster 7 conducted a cryogenic proof test.
11 May 2022	Cryogenic Proof	Success	Booster 7 conducted a cryogenic proof test.
11 July 2022	Spin Prime	Failure	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test (the engine's turbopumps are spun up without ignition) of all 33 Raptors. During the test, an ignition source caused an explosion of the spin prime gases. There was no loss of vehicle.
8 August 2022	Spin Prime x2	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test twice, using the same Raptor engine
9 August 2022	Static Fire	Success	Booster 7 conducted a static fire of a single Raptor engine
11 August 2022	Static Fire	Success	Booster 7 conducted a 20-secondstatic fire of a single Raptor engine to test the autogenous pressurization
25 August 2022	Spin Prime	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test of three Raptor engines
31 August 2022	Static Fire	Partial success	Booster 7 attempted a static fire of three Raptor engines. However, one did not fire/aborted
8 September 2022	Spin Prime	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test of up to 33 engines
12 September 2022	Spin Prime	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test of up to 33 engines. On the same day, S24 conducted a static fire test that led to a grass fire
16 September 2022	Spin Prime	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test of several engines
19 September 2022	Spin Prime Static Fire	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test and a seven engine static fire with nominal chamber pressure, according to Elon Musk
10 November 2022	Spin Prime	Success	Booster 7 conducted a spin prime test of an unknown number of engins, as well as two FIREX system tests
14 November 2022	Static Fire	Success	Booster 7 conducted a "full duration" static fire of 14 engines for about 9 seconds
28 November 2022	Cryo Test	Possibly Scrub	Booster 7 conducted a cryo test. Overpressure notice was issued, so SpaceX likely intended a static fire
29 November 2022	Static Fire	Success	Booster 7 conducted a 13 second static fire of 11 engines
9 February 2023	Static Fire	Success	Booster 7 conducted a static fire intending to ignite all 33 engines, but "Team turned off 1 engine just before start & 1 stopped itself, so 31 engines fired overall."
17 February 2023	Spin Prime	Success	Booster 7 conducted a likely single engine spin prime test
3 April 2023	Propellant Load	Success	Booster 7 conducted a propellant load test during which both tanks were completely filled

31 March 2022 - Roll out[]

In the early morning of March 31, 2022, SpaceX rolled out B7 from the High Bay to the orbital launch site very quickly, although its grid fins haven't been installed yet. After roll out, SpaceX LR11000 crane attached to the booster holding pins, for which they didn't need man lifts at the lifting point, thus progressing faster than previously. Howerver, they still didn't use the chopsticks as it was expected by some in the community. Crews accessed the forward dome through the grid fin holes.

Timeline according to LabPadre, NSF and Starship Gazer:

05:20 B7 rolled out of High Bay
06:10-15 Entered hwy 4
07:25 B7 turned into Launch Site at gate D2
07:35 Arrived under LR11000X
08:05-17 Attached to Lr11000X load spreader bar

04 April 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

B7 first cryo proof test, both tanks fully frosted up at the nearly same pace (CH4 tank frost reaching the top faster); during the filling process, the cmn dome vents constantly vented for short periods; venting stopped for ~1min, then LOX tank filling continued and reached top after some time; detanking started soon after that; later in the night, RCS cmn dome vents and fwd dome vents depress vented and frost/condensation started to reappear shortly after decreasing fully and final full depress vents

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

08:05 LR11000X disconnected from B7
10:08 Road closed
10:30 PA: "Attention at the pad, Pad clear in 1 hour for booster 7 operations"
11:25 Chopsticks raised
12:13 Pad clear
12:33 OLM venting
12:58 B7 venting (depress?)
14:06 Ship QD arm vented
14:57 Frost started to form on CH4 tank
15:18 Frost started to form on LOX tank
16:34 Both tanks fully frosty (filled with LN2)
17:28 Detanking started

08 April 2022 - Lift[]

The LR11000X crane lifted B7 off the OLM onto the structural test stand at the cryo station. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

09:30 LR11000X connected to B7 via load spreader
09:47 Booster QD retracted
09:57 PA: "Attention all personnel at the orbital pad, we are now clearing the orbital pad for booster 7 lift"
11:36 Lift off OLM started
12:15 Touched down on structural test stand

12 April 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

09:50 Road closed
14:40 Pad closed
15:05 Venting near can crusher
17:12 A lot of venting on B7
19:19 Road opened

13 April 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

The pad was not cleared. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

17:39 Road closed
20:13 B7 vent at bottom
22:14 Depress
22:44 Road opened

14 April 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

B7 cryo proof test on structural test stand, possibly also hydraulic thrust test; ice formed on both tanks; in the second round, LOX tank got fully frosty; during this test, the CH4 transfer tube likely collapsed or was damaged. Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

11:22 Road closed
13:15 Pad cleared
14:20 Frost formed on LOX tank (LN2 load)
14:45 Frost formed on CH4 tank; frost on LOX tank several rings high
17:05 Frost started to decrease
17:55 Depress
21:51 Road opened

18 April 2022 - Lift and roll back[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

01:54 Transport stand moved near B7
09:08 Lift started
09:30 Placed on transport stand
13:36 LR11000X detached from B7
14:36 B7 started to move
15:05 Entered hwy 4 (road closed)
16:06 Arrived at production site
19:56 Arrived inside High Bay
21:32 Attached to High Bay bridge crane

06 May 2022 - Roll out and lift[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

5 May 20:20 B7 moved to the center of High Bay
06:18 Left High Bay
06:30 Moved back into High Bay
07:56 Left High Bay again
08:13 Entered hwy 4
09:26 Arrived at launch site
10:45 LR11000X attached to B7
14:33 Lift started
15:05 Placed on the OLM
---07 May---
14:45? Booster QD connected
16:30 LR11000X disconnected

09 May 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

Both tanks fully frosted up. Timeline according to LabPadre (not verified):

09:02 Road closed
09:31:40 PA: "Attention Starbase, entire pad clear in 30 minutes, all non essential personnel please begin exiting the pad now."
15:01 Pad cleared, OLS tank farm venting seen
15:16 OLM table venting
16:06 Cryo load began
16:33 CH4 tank frost began
18:15 Detank started
20:40 Cars to pad
21:15 Road opened

11 May 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

Both tanks fully frosted up, and for the first time, a full speed booster QD retraction test was conducted during partial cryo load.

Timeline according to LabPadre (not verified):

09:30 QD retracted
09:40 QD reconnected autonomously
10:23 Road closed
11:00:49 PA: "Attention Starbase, entire pad clear in 1 hour, all personnel begin exiting the pad and remove all vehicles form Highway 4."
12:24 Pad cleared
12:31 OLS tank farm venting picked up
12:47 OLM table venting
13:40 Cryo loading began
13:50 Frost on LOX tank began to form
14:06 Frost on CH4 tank began to form
15:17 Both tanks fully filled with LN2, fully frosty
15:49 Detank started
19:52:17 First ever full speed QD retraction test under partial cryo load
21:04 Road opened

13-14 May 2022 - Lift and Roll back[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

01:38 Transport stand moved next to OLM
07:10 Booster QD retracted
07:56 Lift started
08:26 Placed on transport stand
09:49 LR11000X detached from B7
20:27 Load spreader picked up by Mega Bay bridge crane for the first time
--
07:21 Started to move
07:57 Entered hwy 4
08:55 Arrived at production site
09:50 Entered Mega Bay

23-24 June 2022 - Roll out and lift[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

10:40 B7 exited Mega Bay
11:07 Entered hwy 4
12:04 B7 arrived at launch site
12:23 Ship QD arm retracted, chopsticks started to rise
13:30 B7 rolled between chopsticks
14:40 Road closed
16:51 Pad cleared
17:42 Cars to pad
21:26 Pad cleared again
22:21 B7 slightly lifted
22:43 Stabilizer pins on chopsticks attached to B7
23:06 HPU (stand) stabilizer pins disconnected, lift started
00:00 B7 touched down on OLM
00:10 Bottom pins in
00:59 Clamps deployed
01:30 Road opened
01:36 Chopsticks opened
02:37 Chopsticks lowered back down; ship QD arm extended back out
06:11 Booster QD extended and attached to B7

27 June 2022 - Unknown Testing (Cryo/ambient)[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

12:57 Road closed
15:16 Pad cleared
19:25 Engine chill vents
21:56 Road opened

During that testing, the OLM was chilled, but no frost formed on B7. However, there was venting from the engine section as well as from the depress vents.

29 June 2022 - Unknown Testing (OLS tank farm)[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

16:07 Road closed
17:24 Pad cleared
18:26 OLS tank farm venting
22:11 Road opened

Some minor vents on B7 spotted.

30 June 2022 - Unknown Testing (OLS tank farm) and B4 roll back[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

11:07 B4 started to move
11:30 PA: "Attention Starbase personnel, Pad closure in 1.5 hours"
11:33 B4 left launch site
11:41 or earlier Road closed
12:38 Arrived at build site
13:18 B4 arrived at rocket garden at the place where B5 was before
13:58 Pad cleared
14:29 OLS tank farm venting (CH4 tanks vent stack)
17:23 Cars to pad
20:50 Road opened

6 July 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

Road and pad was cleared during this test; no cryo load but venting observed, as well as minor venting at the tank farm, followed by igniter tests.

7 July 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

09:26 PA: Pad clear in 30 minutes
10:07 Road closed
12:11 Pad clear
12:25 Tank farm venting
15:12 Cars to pad
19:01 Pad clear
21:53 Cars to pad
21:58 Road opened

12 July 2022 - Spin prime test #1 and explosion[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord [to be completed with info from livestreams]:

07:41 PA: "Attention to the pad, all non essential to pad off today, please exit the pad at this time, pad field is off limit"; all vehicles were cleared underneath S24 and B7 and moved to the middle of the launch site
10:03 Road closed
10:14 PA: "Attention all personnel, pad closure in 15 minutes. All personnel please begin exiting the pad at this time."
10:50 Some venting at the CH4 tank side of the OLS tank farm
11:30 Pad cleared, OLS tank farm started to vent
12:46 Cars to pad
12:53 Pad cleared again
13:17 Cars to pad for second time
13:44 Pad cleared again
15:35 Frost line on LOX tank appeared
15:52 Frost line formed on B7 CH4 tank
16:20:14 Spin prime/start test of 33 engines and explosion
17:26 Venting
17:27 Smoke appeared around the pad
18:46 Detanking
20:03 Cars to pad
21:29 Depress
22:53 Road opened
Pad remained closed during the night for safety

According to Joey Roulette, citing a spokesman, the FAA is in "close contact with SpaceX as the company looks into the fire that occurred". No formal FAA mishap investigation was started because the explosion wasn't part of a scheduled launch campaign.^[8]

At first, Elon Musk was not aware of the testing anomaly and tweeted "Yes. Booster engine testing." However, after being briefed by his teams, tweeted: "Yeah, actually not good. Team is assessing damage."^[9] Elon Musk explained the cause of the explosion with evaporated cryogenic fuel, that creates a risky mix in the partially oxygen atmosphere: "Cryogenic fuel is an added challenge, as it evaporates to create fuel-air explosion risk in a partially oxygen atmosphere like Earth. That said, we have a lot of sensors to detect this. More later."^[10]

Asked, whether it would "be possible to maybe burn/evaporate the leaks caused before ignition"^[11], Elon Musk said: "That is one of the things we will be doing going forward. This particular issue, however, was specific to the engine spin start test (Raptor has a complex start sequence). Going forward, we won’t do a spin start test with all 33 engines at once."^[12] After the test, a lot of work was done on the OLM in order to redirect the engine chill vent. A first damage assessment by Elon Musk was: "Base of the vehicle seems ok by flashlight. I was just out there about an hour ago. We shut down the pad for the night for safety. Will know more in the morning."^[13] Later, he assessed the damage as follows: "Was just up in the booster propulsion section. Damage appears to be minor, but we need to inspect all the engines. Best to do this in the high [mega] bay"^[14] With this statement, he announced that booster 7 will need to be rolled back to the production site for inspections and potential engine replacements.

Video by Elon Musk^[15]:

14 July 2022 - Roll back[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

10:50-53 Booster transport stand stabilization pins extended and retracted
11:41 PA: "Attention Starbase personnel, pad closure in 15 minutes. Please begin clearing the pad now and move all vehicles from Highway 4"
11:58 Road closed
11:58 PA: Pad clear in 30 minutes
13:08 Booster QD disconnected
13:19 Chopstick began to rise
13:21 QD arm retracted
13:32 Chopsticks rose to top of B7, closed in
13:52 Stabilization arms closed in
15:13 Pad clear
15:38 B7 lifted off OLM by chopsticks
16:57 Touched down on transport stand, secured by clamps
17:46 Cars to pad
19:56:10 PA: "Attention Starbase personnel, spin prime test happening on S24 at Pad B, loud venting happening" [ignitor test???]
20:08 Chopsticks released from B7, descending
21:24 B7 started to move
22:16 B7 entered hwy 4
23:07 SoLS tank farm venting
23:13 Recondenser venting
23:32 Arrived at production site
00:39 Entered Mega Bay
01:23 Road opened [July 15]

05 August 2022 - Roll out[]

Picture and Video by Elon Musk^[16]:

06 August 2022 - Lift onto OLM by LR11000X[]

After roll out late night on August 05, SpaceX lifted B7 onto the OLM with the outer engines installed. Due to a failure of the chopsticks ahead of the lifting operations, they had to use the LR11000X crane.

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

04:37 Chopsticks fully lowered
09:12 LR11000X connected to B7 via load spreader
11:57 Lifted by LR11000X
13:14 B7 touched down on OLM, now being secured
16:40 LR11000X disconnected
19:37 Booster QD connected to B7

08 August 2022 - Spin Prime tests on B7 (#2, #3) and S24[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

10:30 Raptor platform lowered below OLM
11:46 Road closed
12:23 Raptor platform moved away from OLS
12:42 Road closed again
14:14 Pad clear
15:41 OLS tank farm started venting
16:00 OLM vent started
16:08 SoLS tank farm active
16:43 Frost formed
16:50:20 Engine chill vent on S24
17:06 Chopsticks raised
17:10:34 S24 spin prime tested
18:00:13 S24 spin prime tested again
18:04 S24 depress vents
--
18:49 OLM venting
21:01:35 B7 spin prime tested
21:26:39 B7 spin prime tested again; with one engine
21:28 B7 depress vent
22:11-13 B7 huge depress vents from cmn and fwd domes
22:22 Cars to pad
22:40 Road opened

09 August 2022 - Static Fire tests on B7 (#1) and S24[]

SpaceX conducted a single engine static fire on B7, a first both for the booster and the orbital launch mount. They also static fired two engines on S24 later that day.

Timeline according to LabPadre Discord:

10:45 Road closed
13:49:30 and 13:49:57 water deluge test on SoLS pad B for S24 testing
14:32 Pad cleared
17:07 Prop load started on B7, OLM venting
17:10 Siren reported
17:12:20 Side venting (engine chill) on OLM started
17:24:54 B7 Static fire of a single engine for the first time on the OLM for about 3 seconds, a picture can be found here
17:28 Depress vents
--
19:20 SoLS tank farm active
19:36 Propellant load began on S24
19:44 Chopsticks lowered
20:07:09 Engine chill vent started
20:08 Siren reported
20:18:25 Water deluge system activated
20:18:53 S24 Static fire of 2 engines for about 3 seconds; a video can be found here
20:23 Depress vents
21:52 Cars to pad
22:05 Road opened

11 August 2022 - Long duration Static Fire #2[]

On 11 August 2022, SpaceX conducted the first ever long duration static fire both of B7 and on the OLM. It lasted for about 20 seconds and used autogenous pressurization.

Testing timeline according to LabPadre discord:

03:52 PA: "Attention on the Pad, Orbital Launch Mount clear in 10 minutes"
10:13 PA: "Attention Starbase personnel, pad closure in 45 minutes. Please begin clearing the pad now and remove all vehicles from Highway 4"
12:01 Road closed
12:18 Chopsticks raised ahead of testing
13:27 Pad cleared; CH4 side venting
13:46 OLS tank farm and OLM venting
14:38 Siren and engine chill vent from OLM
14:48 Static fire: "Full duration" of 20 seconds according to SpaceX^[17] with autogenous pressurization according to Elon Musk^[18]
14:52 Depress vents
16:17 Chopsticks being lowered again
16:24 Cars to pad
16:51 Road opened

A NSF video can be found here.

Picture by Elon Musk^[19]:

12 August 2022 - Roll back[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

4:58 LR11000 picked up the load spreader
07:02 Transport stand moved from landing pad to OLM
07:13 LR11000 and load spreader connected to B7
09:20 Booster QD retracted from B7
12:04 B7 lifted off the OLM
12:36 Lowered onto transport stand
15:29 Unhooked from LR11000X
16:59 Entered hwy 4
18:03 Turned into production site
19:55 Entered Wide Bay

Picture by Elon Musk^[20]:

23 August 2022 - Roll out[]

On August 23, B7 rolled back to the OLS with all 33 engines installed. Much of the engine covers are still missing and will need to be added ahead of a flight test. Raptor engines SN70, SN49, SN84, SN51, SN44, SN63 were identified. B7 rolled to the OLS and between the chopsticks arm and was then lifted onto the OLM.

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

~1am B7 disconnected from Mega Bay bridge crane, SPMTs rolled into Mega Bay; booster QD opened and ship QD arm retracted
02:54 Two main fill/drain fuel and oxidizer valves on booster QD were purged
03:28 Chopsticks began to raise
05:02 B7 on the move in Mega Bay
05:16 B7 left Mega Bay
05:49 B7 turned into hwy 4
07:36 B7 entered launch site at main gate
10:03 Chopsticks closing on B7
11:30 Road closed
12:47 Guiding pins on booster transport stand inserted into position on B7
16:08 Chopsticks started to lift B7
16:26 Stabilization arms on chopsticks have closed on B7, transport stand guiding pins retracted
17:15 B7 placed on OLM
19:46 Road opened

Picture from Elon Musk^[21]:

25 August 2022 - Spin prime testing #4[]

Testing timeline according to NSF and LabPadre streams

Overpressure notice delivered to residents of Boca Chica
10:12 Road closed
10:13 OLS berm ground vent started
10:25 Chopsticks began to disconnect from B7, opened, raised; Scaffolding on the OLIT was damaged as chopsticks were being raised (probably forgot to dismantle)
~10:40 OLS tank farm horizontal CH4 tanks vent stack venting started
11:47 OLS tank farm road side vent started
11:55 CH4 subcoolers getting frosty
12:01 Venting and activity on CH4 subcooler site picking up
12:06 OLM vent started
12:17 Pad clear; LOX side spooled up as well [exact time unknown]
12:40 OLM vent increased
13:05 OLM vent stopped, possibly prop load; CH4 condensers spooled up a lot
13:13 OLM vent started again
13:14 OLIT/OLM engine chill? vent
13:20 OLM vent started again
13:24:37 OLM cover vent as indication for testing
13:25:12 B7 Spin prime test likely of 3 engines; 2 engines first, followed by third; secondary spin prime? at 13:25:19; possibly with gimballing
13:28 Some venting from the aft power unit
13:33 Engine puffs spotted
13:47 Large puffs, nearly a spin prime?
13:55 Engine chill vent at OLIT base active again (likely earlier)
14:00:27 OLM vent below the covers (an indicator for testing)
14:01:02 B7 Spin prime test with 3 engines (likely the same ones, possibly one from each ring)
14:08 Engine chill lines less frosty [likely for outer engines that are connected to mount]
14:00-14:15 Thermal imagery shows massive increase LOX or LN2? in LOX tank, although no frost has formed yet
19:20:45 Larger puffs
19:24 Small frost ring spotted between stringers
14:28 OLIT base engine chill vent active again
14:53 Large booster depress vent; OLM vent started again
14:54 CH4 condensers started to vent a lot
14:59 CH4 recondenser on
15:35 Depress vents on fwd dome and cmn dome
15:36 SoLS tank farm recondenser on; but rest of tank farm not yet active
15:42 SoLS ground vent started
15:50 OLM vent started
16:05 B7.1 entered HWY 4 after rolling out of mid bay
16:28 B7.1 arrived at road block, but turned into side road as road was still closed
16:50 SoLS ground vent started again
16:51 SoLS tank farm spooling up
17:06 Recondenser started at SoLS
17:12 Slight condensation started on LOX tank - cryo load started
17:27 Frost appearing on S24
17:27:53 Engine chill vent on S24
17:42:46 Water deluge system on pad B turned on
17:42:53 S24 Spin prime test
17:46 OLM vent active again; as well as OLS tank farm street vent
17:54 Huge S24 depress vent
18:00 Engine puffs from B7
19:05 Cars to pad
19:22 Road opened

29 August 2022 - Testing[]

No static fire although overpressure notice issued.

Testing timeline according to LabPadre and NSF streams:

12:13 Road closed
12:32 Grover and B7 transport stand moved to build site
13:15 Chopsticks raised above B7
14:05 Road closed again after completion of transport stand move
15:36 Pad cleared
15:37 CH4 subcoolers began to frost
15:55 CH4 subcoolers area vent increased
16:32 LOX subcoolers venting started
16:54 OLM venting fast (starting to cool down the lines ahead of fueling)
17:19 Temperatures falling according to thermal imagery
17:23 OLM venting increased
17:36 Road side vent started at OLS tank farm (possibly as indication that prop load is imminent)
17:44 OLS ground vent
18:00 OLM venting increased a lot
18:04 OLM vent stopped
18:05 LOX side spooled up
18:06 CH4 subcoolers spooled up (top backwards vent), CH4 load started
18:08 Chill line on OLM frosting
18:10 CH4 kettleboilers frosting
18:13 LOX tank frost line growing (predator cam)
18:14:00 OLIT base engine chill vent started
18:16 CH4 pumps turned off
18:17 OLM vent restarted - purging the lines
18:17 Clear forst line visible on LOX tank
18:18 Puffs from engine section; chill vent at OLIT base decreased a bit
18:27 Engine bell puffs increased; engine chill at OLIT decreased more
18:40 Frost on CH4 subcoolers decreased
18:43 Engine chill vent at OLIT base started again
19:14 Cmn dome depress vent (not yet depress); OLM vent started up intensely again
19:18 OLM vent decreased
19:19 Recondenser started
19:23 CH4 subcoolers turned on for a short time
20:18 Cars to pad
20:27 Road opened

31 August 2022 - Static fire test #3[]

During this test, SpaceX static fired B7 with multiple engines for 5-6 seconds with a staggered start-up. It is believed that they intended to ignite 3 engines. However, likely 1 or even 2 engines aborted after start-up. Likely, more tests were intended with S24, but they didn't reach any point further in the timeline than engine chill. A few days later, on September 02, SpaceX replaced a Raptor Vacuum engine which likely didn't reach expected performance.

Testing timeline according to NSF and LabPadre streams:

06:55 PA: "Pad clear in one hour"
?? Tank farm activity
08:02 Road closed
09:08 Worker task force entered at Gate D3
09:20 Workers left launch site
09:22 Pad clear
09:24 OLM venting LN2 for chilldown
09:49 CH4 subcoolers slowly getting frosty, OLM venting increased
10:17 CH4 subcoolers top vent spooled up - fueling likely started
10:19 OLM vent stopped
10:20 OLM vent resumed (likely not yet fueling)
10:23 OLS road side vent started
10:26 OLM vent stopped
09:25 CH4 subcoolers filly frosty
10:30 OLM vent started again
10:32 Huge depress vent on booster 7 [likely recycle)
10:36 CH4 subcooler backside vent stopped
10:37 CH4 subcooler backside vent restarted
10:53 OLM vent has stopped again
10:57 Engine chill line on OLM is getting cold according to thermal imagery, subcooler backwards vent spooled up a lot
11:03 Thermal imagery shows LOX tank being filled
11:04 Frost appearing on LOX tank
11:05 Engine chill vent on near OLIT base
11:06:19 OLM vent restarted
11:11 Engine bell puffs spotted [LOX chill?]
11:30 Engine chill vent nearly fully stopped
11:55 Depress vent on B7; OLM vent spooled up again as well as horizontal CH4 subcooler vent
11:59 OLM vent stopped; Recondenser started
12:07 CH4 subcoolers started to vent again
12:10 Frost on booster started to decrease
12:13 OLM restarted
12:33 Recondenser stopped
12:38 Engine chill lines getting more frosty again, OLM vent stopped
12:41 Engine chill vent near OLIT base started again
12:45 OLIT base engine chill vent stopped
12:48 Frost starting to grow again very fast
12:51 OLM vent restarted a lot; retanking
12:53 Siren reported
12:56 Larger engine puffs increased
13:03:04 OLM small cover puff
13:03:36 Static fire on B7 with multiple engines for about 6 seconds; center, then inner, then outer engine staggered start of 3 engines likely; possibly the 3rd engine aborted, but it is unclear
13:08 Cmn dome depress vent
13:14 Recondenser started, engine chill lines defrosted
13:26 Robotic dog spotted
13:33 Huge depress event from cmn and fwd domes
13:55 Engine chill line frosted up
---
14:10 SoLS ground vent; tank farm spooled up
14:22 Small recondenser puffs
14:29 Prop load on S24 LOX tank, some minor condensation formed
14:40 Most SoLS tank farm activity stopped; just minor puffs from tank farm/recondenser
14:46 Frost ring started on S24
15:38 Recondenser started to spool up
15:47 SoLS tank farm increased a lot
16:08:49 Engine chill vent started on S24
16.15 Drone spotted at SoLS
16:15:02 Header tank vent
16:18 Engine chill pulses began
16:27 Huge depress vent on S24
16:38 SoLS vent stack started signaling end of testing
19:13 Road opened

08 September 2022 - B7 spin prime test #5 and S24 static fire[]

SpaceX conducted a multiple engine Spin prim test on booster 7 as well as a full 6-engine static fire with ship 24 for about 6-7 seconds which lead to a grass fire to develop.

Testing timeline according to LabPadre and NSF streams:

Overpressure notice issued to resident
07:59 Road closes
09:20-27 Chopsticks raised
09:23 Pad clear
09:56 CH4 side on OLS tank farm started up (vent stack)
10:01 CH4 subcooler side spooled up
10:04 LOX side spooled up
10:19 CH4 subcoolers getting frosty from the bottom, venting around them increased
10:21 Lots of venting from LOX subcoolers
10:27 or earlier OLM venting indicating chilling the lines
11:08 CH4 subcoolers (tank part) fully frosted
11:14 Road side vent started
11:23 Some SoLS tank farm activity from tall black tank to the north
11:35 OLM vent spooled down
11:49 CH4 subcoolers top part spooled up, indicating prop load on B7
11:52 Engine chill lines frosting, CH4 subcooler top fully frosty
11:52 OLLIT base area vent (engine chill)
11:55 Frost line on B7 appeared
12:01 CH4 subcoolers top vent spooled down somewhat, frost on LOX tank nearly one ring high
12:03 OLM vent restarted
12:04 Engine puffs spotted
12:14:24 OLM cover vent
12:14:45 Another smaller OLM vent nearby
12:14:58-15:01 B7 multiple engine spin prime test; staggered: 2+1+2+1+1+2 (at least 9 engines counted, then unclear)
12:17 Venting from B4 aft ring spotted on both sides of the QD (new booster vent?); depress vent
12:20 OLM vent spooled up for half a minute
12:22 CH4 vent stack started again
12:23 or earlier SoLS tank farm active
12:24 OLS CH4 subcoolers top started again
12:25 or earlier OLS tank farm recondenser started
12:36 LOX tank frost began to decrease
13:35 SoLS tank farm activity stopped
14:27 SoLS grass vent started
14:28 SoLS tank farm active
14:30 Minor recondenser puffs started
14:48 Frost/condensation ring started
15:30 Frost over 1 ring up
15:43 Recondenser puffs started again
15:48 SoLS tank farm spooling up
15:55:51 S24 engine chill; frost at least 2 rings up
16:19 Siren
16:30:23 Water deluge system turned on
16:30:40-47 Static fire of 6 engines (confirmed by SpaceX), for about 6 seconds; several tiles lost
16:32 Depress vents
16:33 Grass fire at SoLS pad B, also quite far away, outside the fence between road and SoLS tank farm; another fire seen in around the middle of the launch site (landing pad or so), possibly a dumpster fire near Pad A
16:43 LOX tank upper parts condensated, Ship depressing
16:45 Tank farm venting unusually, likely some sort of safing mode
16:50 Fire spreading south west from the pad, same fire as during a Starhopper test
17:03 OLM venting started
17:07 Fire trucks and brush truck arrived at road block
17:40 Small fire still burning
18:22-30 Chopsticks lowered
20:27 S24 depress vent
20:37 Cars to pad
21:37 Firemen working to contain the fire; backfires set to prevent the blaze from spreading beyond the backfire line

NSF video of the static fire here. SpaceX tweet with picture of the static fire here.

12 September 2022 - Spin prime test #6[]

Testing timeline according to NSF and LabPadre streams:

08:02 Road closed
08:53 CH4 tanks vent stack started venting
09:01 Minor LOX side venting started
09:10 Pad cleared
09:13 CH4 side started to vent around subcoolers
09:34 CH4 side venting increase a lot
09:45 Lox side venting increased a lot
10:05 Small OLM vent started
10:16 CH4 subcoolers frost started to form
10:20 OLM vent increased
10:32 OLM vent decreased
10:40 OLM vent increased a lot
10:43 OLS tank farm road side vent started
10:50 OLM vent stopped, CH4 subcoolers top started to vent - propellant load started
10:55 CH4 subcoolers top fully frosty
11:02 or earlier engine chill vent near OLIT base
11:02 Engine puffs spotted, frost ring started to rise; OLM vent restarted
11:18 Detank
11:27 CH4 subcoolers top frost started to decrease
12:19 OLM vent stopped (new cycle)
14:04 OLM vent restarted
14:27 CH4 tanks vent stack started venting again
14:30 CH4 subcoolers area started venting a lot
14:45 CH4 subcoolers fully frosty again
15:03 OLM vent stopped
15:07 Propellant load (CH4 subcoolers top started venting)
15:12 CH4 subcoolers top fully frosty, engine chill vent started near OLIT base
15:14 LOX tank frost ring appearing again
15:19 Engine puffs spotted
15:22 OLM vent restarted
15:24 Road side venting a lot
15:34:24 OLM side/cover vent
15:34:57 Spin prime test of several engines (staggered start, more than 9)
15:36-37 Huge depress vents from cmn and fwd domes
15:50 CH4 subcoolers top frost disappeared
16:56 Cars to pad
17:08 Road opened
20:23 LOX tank chilled according to thermal imagery
00:03 Orbital pad opened with B7 fully detanked

16 September 2022 - Spin prime test #7[]

Testing timeline according to LabPadre discord:

08:13 Road closed
09:23 Pad cleared
10:28 OLM vent stopped
10:29 Propellant load started (CH4 subcoolers top vent); LOX side very active as well
10:36 OLIT base engine chill vent started
10:43 New vent spotted at the OLM railing, OLM vent restarted
10:45 Engine chill (Engine puffs)
11:21:27 Spin prime test, likely 7 engines
11:22 Depress
11:30 Detanking started, frost line decreasing
12:41 Chopsticks lowered
15:03 Cars to pad
15:08 Road opened
18:50 Chopsticks raised

19 September 2022 - Spin prime test #8; Static fire test #4[]

According to Elon Musk, the "Chamber pressure looked good on all 7 engines"^[22] during the static fire. He later announced that B7 would return to the Mega Bay for upgrades and B8 would instead roll out to the pad:

"Booster 7 now returns to High Bay for robustness upgrades & booster 8 moves to pad for testing. Next big test is probably full stack wet dress rehearsal, then 33 engine firing in a few weeks."^[23]

Testing timeline according to LabPadre and NSF streams:

Overpressure notice issued to local residents
08:09 Road closed
08:36 OLS tank farm started some venting
08:37 CH4 tanks vent stack started venting
08:46 Chopsticks slightly raised ahead of testing
09:15 CH4 sub cooler site started up
09:17 Pad cleared
09:25 OLM venting started, CH4 subcoolers frost started
10:14 OLM vent stopped; Prop loading started (CH4 subcooler top vent)
10:21 OLIT base engine chill vent started
10:23 Frost ring started to form
10:28 Engine puffs started (LOX chilling; no OLM railing vent spotted), OLM vent restarted
10:54:09 OLM side vent
10:54:41 Spin prime test (staggered) of several, perhaps 7 engines (Some speculation about gimballing, but likely not true)
11:05 Depress vent
11:08 Recondenser on, detanking
11:11 CH4 subcoolers top vent started to vent again
11:16 New OLM "mustache" vent
11:22 Depress vent; OLM vent restarted
--
MSIB (NOTMAR) issued for today; perhaps they waited on spin prime outcome
11:58 OLM vent stopped
11:59 LOX side very active, looks like prop load
12:02 CH4 engine chill vent (near OLIT base from NSF camera view)
12:04 CH4 subcooler top vent increased a lot
12:09 Frost ring started to rise again
12:12 OLM vent restarted
12:14 Elon Musk announced a 7 engine static fire^[24]; this also confirmed recent 7 engine spin prime test
12:17 Siren reported
12:37 Hydraulic pressure unit cover on booster venting
12:46:22 OLM side vent
12:46:55-02 Static fire of 7 Raptor engines for about 6-7 seconds, with the same sequence on 2 previous spin prime tests; OLM legs looked quite roasty
12:55 Grass fire started between OLP and sea
13:00 Elon Musk: "Chamber pressure looked good on all 7 engines"
13:10 Depress vent
13:37 Large depress vent on both tanks
13:51 Tesla arrived at road block
14:00 Cars started to line up at road block
14:08 Cars to pad, road remained closed
14:56 Road opened

Elon Musk video of the static fire: here

LabPadre video of the static fire: here

NSF video of the static fire: here

Full Stack and Testing I[]

20-21 September 2022 - Lift and Roll back[]

On 21 September 2022, booster 7 rolled back to the production site "for robustness upgrades"^[25] ^[26]. According to Elon Musk, B7 is still planned to be the booster for the first orbital test flight: "That’s the plan. We’re taking a little risk there, as engine isolation was done as retrofit, so not as good as on Booster 9."^[27] He also provided an estimate on when this might happen:

Late next month maybe, but November seems highly likely. We will have two boosters & ships ready for orbital flight by then, with full stack production at roughly one every two months.^[28]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

12:55 Transport stand moved near OLM
14:13 Road closed
14:19 PA: Pad closure in 30 minutes
16:29 Ship QD arm moved away
16:55 Booster QD disconnected from B7
20:41 Chopsticks moved
23:00 Road opened
23:52 OLM booster QD reconnected
09:10 OLM booster QD retracted from B7
09:13 Road closed
10:26 Chopsticks took the load of B7
10:40 Stabilization arms closed on B7 after being slightly lifted up
10:51 Lifting started
11:10 Stabilization pins extended into B7
11:53 B7 on transport stand
12:13 Road opened
15:08 Started to move
15:37 Left launch site; road closed
16:54 Arrived at production site

07 October 2022 - Roll out and aborted lift[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

05:59 Entered Hwy 4
08:05 Arrived at launch site
09:54 Moved between chopsticks
10:43 Chopsticks raised
11:42 Chopsticks closed and main lifting points latched into position
11:44 Road closed
13:00 Road opened

10 October 2022 - Lifting[]

Timeline according to LabPadre discord:

07:59 Road closed
08:16 Ship QD arm swung away
08:57 Transport stand stabilization pins inserted into B7
10:10 Lift started with chopsticks
10:56 Transport stand stabilizers disengaged, chopsticks pins engaged; lift continued
12:32 Lift completed, being secured
15:24 Road opened
16:33 Transport stand moved away

Booster 7 (B7)

History[]

Timeline[]

Testing Campaign[]

31 March 2022 - Roll out[]

04 April 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

08 April 2022 - Lift[]

12 April 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

13 April 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

14 April 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

18 April 2022 - Lift and roll back[]

06 May 2022 - Roll out and lift[]

09 May 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

11 May 2022 - Cryo proof test[]

13-14 May 2022 - Lift and Roll back[]

23-24 June 2022 - Roll out and lift[]

27 June 2022 - Unknown Testing (Cryo/ambient)[]

29 June 2022 - Unknown Testing (OLS tank farm)[]

30 June 2022 - Unknown Testing (OLS tank farm) and B4 roll back[]

6 July 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

7 July 2022 - Ambient proof test[]

12 July 2022 - Spin prime test #1 and explosion[]

14 July 2022 - Roll back[]

05 August 2022 - Roll out[]

06 August 2022 - Lift onto OLM by LR11000X[]

08 August 2022 - Spin Prime tests on B7 (#2, #3) and S24[]

09 August 2022 - Static Fire tests on B7 (#1) and S24[]

11 August 2022 - Long duration Static Fire #2[]

12 August 2022 - Roll back[]

23 August 2022 - Roll out[]

25 August 2022 - Spin prime testing #4[]

29 August 2022 - Testing[]

31 August 2022 - Static fire test #3[]

08 September 2022 - B7 spin prime test #5 and S24 static fire[]

12 September 2022 - Spin prime test #6[]

16 September 2022 - Spin prime test #7[]

19 September 2022 - Spin prime test #8; Static fire test #4[]

Full Stack and Testing I[]

20-21 September 2022 - Lift and Roll back[]

07 October 2022 - Roll out and aborted lift[]

10 October 2022 - Lifting[]

11 October 2022 - Stacking[]

S24 being stacked on B7

S24 being stacked on B7

S24 being stacked on B7

S24 being stacked on B7

12 October 2022 - Realignment and checks[]

13 October 2022 - Testing[]

16 October 2022 - Destacking[]

20 October 2022 - Full stack for second time[]

24 October 2022 - Cryo Proof Test[]

26 October 2022 - Cryo Proof Test[]

31 October 2022 - Cryo Proof Test[]

03 November 2022 - Cryo Poof Test[]

07 November 2022 - Cryo Proof test[]

10 November 2022 - Spin Prime Test #9[]

14 November 2022 - Static Fire[]

28 November 2022 - Scrubbed testing[]

29 November 2022 - Static Fire[]

02 December 2022 - Lift off OLM[]

03 December 2022 - Roll back[]

08 January 2022 - Roll out[]

09 January 2022 - Lift onto OLM[]

Full Stack and Testing II[]

09 January 2023 - Stacking[]

12 January 2023 - GSE Testing[]

13 January 2023 - Propelland Load Test[]

18 January 2023 - Propellant Load Test[]

09 February 2023 - 33 Engine Static Fire Attempt[]

17 February 2023 - Spin Prime Test and QD tests[]

10 March 2023 - Lifting off OLM[]

29 March 2023 - Lifting onto OLM[]

3 April 2023 - Propellant Load Test[]

Full Stack III and IV[]

05 April 2023 - Stacking[]

11-12 April 2023 - Destacking[]

15 April 2023 - Stacking[]

17 April 2023 - NET Launch date[]

References[]

Fan Feed