Thomas Hayden
@thomashayden.bsky.social
Video editor at NASASpaceflight
Interesting Raptor explosion at McGregor tonight. Seemed to happen during startup - timing we've never seen before.
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Interesting Raptor explosion at McGregor tonight. Seemed to happen during startup - timing we've never seen before.
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
The OLM put up a bit of a fight tonight with a small fire inside the ring.
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The OLM put up a bit of a fight tonight with a small fire inside the ring.
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
MVac testing seems to be going great as well. I'm not sure if these are all unique engines or not, but with an apparent surplus of 17 engines they're doing fine either way.
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
MVac testing seems to be going great as well. I'm not sure if these are all unique engines or not, but with an apparent surplus of 17 engines they're doing fine either way.
Looking at the Stage 2 surplus plot, SpaceX's pace this quarter has been closer to 185/year instead of 170!
Whatever the bottleneck was seems to have been eliminated mid-April given the sudden change in direction. It would be super interesting to know what improvements were made
Whatever the bottleneck was seems to have been eliminated mid-April given the sudden change in direction. It would be super interesting to know what improvements were made
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Looking at the Stage 2 surplus plot, SpaceX's pace this quarter has been closer to 185/year instead of 170!
Whatever the bottleneck was seems to have been eliminated mid-April given the sudden change in direction. It would be super interesting to know what improvements were made
Whatever the bottleneck was seems to have been eliminated mid-April given the sudden change in direction. It would be super interesting to know what improvements were made
SpaceX has had an excellent quarter at McGregor, with a record 48 Falcon 9 second stages tested.
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
SpaceX has had an excellent quarter at McGregor, with a record 48 Falcon 9 second stages tested.
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Five Falcon 9 Stage 2's in five days!
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Five Falcon 9 Stage 2's in five days!
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
MVac testing is another indicator since every 2nd stage needs one. As we've seen before, MVac production/testing is doing great with a surplus of 4 engines.
Even if some engines have been fired multiple times, it's reasonable to assume 2nd stages aren't held up by MVacs.
Even if some engines have been fired multiple times, it's reasonable to assume 2nd stages aren't held up by MVacs.
July 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
MVac testing is another indicator since every 2nd stage needs one. As we've seen before, MVac production/testing is doing great with a surplus of 4 engines.
Even if some engines have been fired multiple times, it's reasonable to assume 2nd stages aren't held up by MVacs.
Even if some engines have been fired multiple times, it's reasonable to assume 2nd stages aren't held up by MVacs.
This year (blue) is ahead of where they were last year (red), though they're still 6 behind the "ideal" target.
However, since early April they've been testing at a record pace! If they keep it up they will end the year with a surplus of 2nd stages!
However, since early April they've been testing at a record pace! If they keep it up they will end the year with a surplus of 2nd stages!
July 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This year (blue) is ahead of where they were last year (red), though they're still 6 behind the "ideal" target.
However, since early April they've been testing at a record pace! If they keep it up they will end the year with a surplus of 2nd stages!
However, since early April they've been testing at a record pace! If they keep it up they will end the year with a surplus of 2nd stages!
Can SpaceX reach 170 Falcon flights?
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
July 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Can SpaceX reach 170 Falcon flights?
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
New record!
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
April 12, 2025 at 1:06 AM
New record!
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Stage 2 data is a bit rougher however. Mid January through late February had an excellent rate of testing, even exceeding 170/year.
Despite this, three dips in testing rate has put the testing deficit at exactly the same point as last year.
Again blue is 2025 and red is 2024
Despite this, three dips in testing rate has put the testing deficit at exactly the same point as last year.
Again blue is 2025 and red is 2024
April 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Stage 2 data is a bit rougher however. Mid January through late February had an excellent rate of testing, even exceeding 170/year.
Despite this, three dips in testing rate has put the testing deficit at exactly the same point as last year.
Again blue is 2025 and red is 2024
Despite this, three dips in testing rate has put the testing deficit at exactly the same point as last year.
Again blue is 2025 and red is 2024
25% through the year lets take a look at how McGregor testing is going for Falcon 9's goal of 170 launches!
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
April 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
25% through the year lets take a look at how McGregor testing is going for Falcon 9's goal of 170 launches!
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
A Raptor 2 giving us some fireworks today, but don't fret! This looks like it could be an intentional test to destruction, along with a few earlier in the year. Perhaps related to changes following Flights 7 and 8?
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
March 20, 2025 at 1:30 AM
A Raptor 2 giving us some fireworks today, but don't fret! This looks like it could be an intentional test to destruction, along with a few earlier in the year. Perhaps related to changes following Flights 7 and 8?
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
March 17, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Aircraft carriers are HUGE!
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
February 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Aircraft carriers are HUGE!
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
Ship speed accelerated slower throughout the burn (likely due to the larger vehicle). Acceleration drops off as the anomaly begins, but it's not a sharp change like Flight 5's intentional shutdowns.
Ultimately S33 ended up about 5,200km/h slower and about 4km lower than S30.
Ultimately S33 ended up about 5,200km/h slower and about 4km lower than S30.
January 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Ship speed accelerated slower throughout the burn (likely due to the larger vehicle). Acceleration drops off as the anomaly begins, but it's not a sharp change like Flight 5's intentional shutdowns.
Ultimately S33 ended up about 5,200km/h slower and about 4km lower than S30.
Ultimately S33 ended up about 5,200km/h slower and about 4km lower than S30.
Moving to Ship 33, it took a more straightforward ascent compared to Ship 30. S33 continues upwards at a fairly consistent rate, while S30 hung around 144/145km for a while before continuing up.
January 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Moving to Ship 33, it took a more straightforward ascent compared to Ship 30. S33 continues upwards at a fairly consistent rate, while S30 hung around 144/145km for a while before continuing up.
Zooming in on the catch portion, you can see the steep deceleration from 13 engines, and then the shallower deceleration when they go down to 3. Visually the speed profiles are basically identical.
January 17, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Zooming in on the catch portion, you can see the steep deceleration from 13 engines, and then the shallower deceleration when they go down to 3. Visually the speed profiles are basically identical.
While going slower, Booster 14 also stayed lower, with an apogee of 91km instead of Booster 12's 96km.
Future Ship upgrades might slow and lower the trajectory further, while Booster upgrades might do the opposite.
Future Ship upgrades might slow and lower the trajectory further, while Booster upgrades might do the opposite.
January 17, 2025 at 5:23 AM
While going slower, Booster 14 also stayed lower, with an apogee of 91km instead of Booster 12's 96km.
Future Ship upgrades might slow and lower the trajectory further, while Booster upgrades might do the opposite.
Future Ship upgrades might slow and lower the trajectory further, while Booster upgrades might do the opposite.
Telemetry time!
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
January 17, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Telemetry time!
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
Stage 2 tests show a more difficult picture. There's the same slower start to the year, but March - mid July were close to on track. Following the Starlink 9-3 anomaly the rate slowed down until December, where it has picked back up. Over the year there's about a 14 stage deficit
December 31, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Stage 2 tests show a more difficult picture. There's the same slower start to the year, but March - mid July were close to on track. Following the Starlink 9-3 anomaly the rate slowed down until December, where it has picked back up. Over the year there's about a 14 stage deficit
Starting with MVac testing, the data is happy. January - March was slow, but the rest of the year had a higher test rate than needed to hit 148 launches. Ending the year with about 5 surplus means they could hit 153 flights - more if they keep this rate through all of 2025!
December 31, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Starting with MVac testing, the data is happy. January - March was slow, but the rest of the year had a higher test rate than needed to hit 148 launches. Ending the year with about 5 surplus means they could hit 153 flights - more if they keep this rate through all of 2025!
Ship 33 (the first Block 2 ship) appears to have performed a Spin Prime at Massey's Test Site. Stay tuned to Starbase Live for its next steps, which will likely be a Static Fire ahead of its flight NET January.
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
December 13, 2024 at 3:35 AM
Ship 33 (the first Block 2 ship) appears to have performed a Spin Prime at Massey's Test Site. Stay tuned to Starbase Live for its next steps, which will likely be a Static Fire ahead of its flight NET January.
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
Ship 31's transport stand is rolling to the Production Site. Unless it returns, this means S31 can't be destacked* and likely had its FTS installed while in the High Bay - a deviation from what we've seen in the past!
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
November 18, 2024 at 6:21 AM
Ship 31's transport stand is rolling to the Production Site. Unless it returns, this means S31 can't be destacked* and likely had its FTS installed while in the High Bay - a deviation from what we've seen in the past!
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
Raptor 3 having a rough start on the Raptor Horizontal stand. Not as explosive as the RUD on the Vertical stand the other day, but it certainly didn't look nominal
nsf.live/mcgregor
nsf.live/mcgregor
November 13, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Raptor 3 having a rough start on the Raptor Horizontal stand. Not as explosive as the RUD on the Vertical stand the other day, but it certainly didn't look nominal
nsf.live/mcgregor
nsf.live/mcgregor