Ship 39 Survives Its First Test | SpaceX Starbase

Why It Matters

Successful initial testing and continued infrastructure buildout signal steady progress toward further flight or static-fire campaigns for Starship, reducing near-term program risk and demonstrating scaling of SpaceX’s launch-site capabilities.

Summary

SpaceX rolled Ship 39 out of Mega Bay 2 and moved it to the Massis structure, completing an initial on-site test without major incident. Video shows the vehicle’s heat-shield tiles and flap gaps, workers installing preassembled columns and sheeting on the rising gigabay, and modifications at a nearby static-fire support stand. Observers noted detailed plumbing and QD plate work with looped piping, road expansion to support transport and multiple support vehicles staged along Highway 4. Overall activity highlights coordinated assembly, transport and site-prep operations at Starbase.

Original Description

Ship 39 rolled out to SpaceX Massey's for its first major tests ahead of Starship Flight 12, passing initial testing aimed at setting the stage for its return for Static Fire tests later in March.

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Narration by John "Das" Galloway.

🎥 Video from Ceaser G, Gage, Colleen, and Starbase Live.

✂️ Edited by Thomas Hayden (@_thomashayden).

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Timestamps:

0:00 Masseys Truss Structure

0:29 Parts Rolled Toward Masseys

1:10 The Production Site

1:17 Gigabay Construction Continues

3:23 Road Expansion

3:45 Starfactory Window Washing

4:12 Nosecone Getting Tiled

4:52 New Ship Stand

5:11 B17 Aft Removed From Stand

5:23 Possible Grid Fin Lifted to B19

5:35 Ship 39 Rolled to Masseys

8:08 Ship 39 at Masseys

8:24 Ship 39 Cryo Testing

9:02 The Launch Site

9:10 Orbital Pad 2

9:30 Pad 2 Deluge Testing

9:49 Pad 2 Chopstick Testing

10:15 Top of Pad 2’s Tower

10:24 Launch Site Expansion

11:18 Orbital Pad 1

11:28 Pad 1 Sheet Pile Install

11:40 Vaporizer Delivery

11:58 Orbital Tank Farm Construction

12:18 Air Separation Unit

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