Prepping Chopsticks for First Catch? | SpaceX Starbase Update

This week on Starbase Update, we catch up with Jack and look into the intense preparations for Flight 4 at SpaceX's Starbase, including major updates to the "Chopsticks" for their upcoming first catch attempt. Join us as we explore the rapid construction at the Starfactory, and get a sneak peek at the future of Starship with the new office building taking shape. Plus, we’ll take a closer look at Booster 11 and Ship 29 gearing up for the next big test flight. Don’t miss any updates on these incredible developments - subscribe and hit the bell to stay notified!
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🤵 Hosted by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer)
🖊️ Written by Adrian Beil (@BCCarcounters).
🎥 Video from Mary (@BocaChicaGal), Sean Doherty, Jack Beyer, Starbase Live, and SpaceX.
✂️ Edited by Ryan Caton (@dpoddolphinpro)
💼 Produced by Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed)
🔍 If you are interested in using footage from this video, please review our content use policy: www.nasaspaceflight.com/conte...
L2 Boca Chica (more clips and photos) from BC's very early days to today.
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[@bideford7099]

Jack, Jack, Jack... You're actually getting us all hyped that IFT4 is not too far off, hopefully. Now we just need SpaceX NOT to impede NSF's cameras from catching all the history in the making. Love your enthusiasm!!!

[@bryanillenberg]

"catching all the history in the making" Well done.

[@bigdogben]

Remember IFT-4 won't be caught, this catch hype has made us so excited we forgot its 2 flights away.

[@Westythe3rd]

It's so crazy to see how much Starbase has changed over the years! I will always be thankful for NSF for making it all accessible to see! Thanks as always guys

[@MickRonald]

The slow motion video of the Raptor engine shutdown is awesome 8:47. Thank you NSF for the latest Starbase update.

[@jull1234]

who's gonna stabilize it for all us lazy people?

[@ganymede6535]

Space X one of the leading engineers in spaceflight: proceeds to use rock to separate starship rings

[@robyn051]

If it works it works right?

[@vergil-__]

8:08 kool spin!

[@dylantrimaldi936]

😆

[@GumbootZone]

It's the old classic "untangle-myself-from-my-safety-rope" manoeuvre.

[@thethirdeve5089]

Thanks for giving all this epic content earlier for members, you are an awesome channel please never stop doing what we all love.

[@brucecampuzano5601]

Minor correction, concrete doesn't dry (thru evaporation), it cures (chemically binding the water to the cement).

[@bryanyoung8404]

Aka. It dries lol....

[@Jermine1269]

Thanks heaps for the update y'all!! Always appreciated to get those parts identified

[@strykker666]

Thank you for yet another incredible update. The entire NSF crew is top notch, and deserves high praise.

[@MrKellymcilrath]

Great Starbase update Jack and great video footage Mary, Sean, & SBL, Thank you!!!

[@DebraJean196]

Great update Jack. Really appreciate a video that ties together all the random bits and pieces we see throughout the week into a cohesive whole so we can see the overall progress being made’

[@eddiewhite1]

Thanks for the update, keep up the good work NSF

[@sdebeaubien]

thanks Jack for the great report. We're eagerly anticipating the full WDR on B11/S29! Sounds like it may be not this week, but more likely the next, but we'll be watching. It is pretty amazing to see history as it's actually happening. Thanks to all @NSF staff for being part of this great reporting!

[@Astra2]

congrats on 1 million

[@phlogistanjones2722]

Thank you for the update Jack. I ALWAYS look forward to YOUR content. Thank you for all that you do. Thanks to all the NSF crew. Peaceful Skies.

[@THEFORBIDDENMAN-lk7of]

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE

[@jeffrowe6004]

Another excellent video, Thanks NSF!

[@grahamrustay3744]

Been waiting for this video!

[@fredpryde8555]

thank you for keeping us informed and your hard work sharing it with us all

[@tracy2928]

Excellent video, as usual!

[@NovelIdeaIndeed]

Excellent update! Great detail! Thank you.

[@corrinastanley125]

Thanks Jack and the NSF team, lots of great information.

[@williamhastie5056]

Great update. Thanks! 😬🚀

[@captntorthenaer-do-wellcad3191]

Great update mates!

[@jimgraves4197]

Thanks Jack 😎

[@cratecruncher4974]

It's crazy to attempt a booster catch without a backup launch mount in my opinion. The OLM has been the most lead time piece to construct in the entire complex. It would be right underneath if the attempt fails. Time is THE limited resource for SpaceX. A safer approach would be to stack the tower sections for the second tower with priority to complete the catch system and use it on the first attempt(s).

[@droiddoctor2447]

Maybe the launch tower sections from the cape are there to rebuild the tower if a recovery attempt fails and crashes into the tower. Remove and replace would be a quicker turn around than having to wait for new sections to be fabricated. Foundation work for the second tower cannot be rushed for the time needed to stabilize the ground around it. I do agree a catch attempt on itv5 is pretty aggressive. A failure would definitely be a setback to rest of the program.

[@cratecruncher4974]

@@droiddoctor2447 Tower sections can be assembled fairly quickly. It's the Orbital Launch Mount that has taken YEARS to develop. While the second could be fabricated faster than the first I recall thousands and thousands of hydraulic pipes and controllers inside that ring. I just think it could take many months to repair/replace the OLM if a booster stage blew it up. Perhaps retrieving the booster with the existing chopsticks swung as far away from the OLM as possible could mitigate some of the risk.

[@SebastianWellsTL]

Comment for the algorithm. Love these great updates guys!

[@Noahraptor905]

Another awesome video

[@queeg6473]

When the new office building is finished I think they will get rid of the old office building and replace it with a taller mega-mega bay. If they are gonna ramp up production of ring parts and make the ships and boosters longer they will need more space to stack them.

[@paulkatz8250]

Great info!!!!!

[@Pintuuuxo]

Wonderful update, guys! Things are changing so fast that thanks to you we can keep the pace. 🚂 Those chopsticks they will have to have some proximity sensors and a much faster action to grab the booster. If SpaceX can get it right, it will be worth seeing!!!

[@paultaylor765]

Thanks. It would be nice if you could get Chris back on for an interview if Spacex permits 😊

[@hillbillysceptic1982]

I hope they give that rock a spot in the tool room

[@viraginjankar4968]

It's crazy to think that starship will be just fly regularly as falcon9 next year with reflown boosters

[@jamescobban857]

SpaceX must move to deploying full size V2 Starlink satellites ASAP because each such satellite will generate five times the revenue, and support significant quantities of 5G mobile devices at higher bandwidth, implying broader applications. Only customers who are willing to accept a higher risk will pay for deliveries using Starship in 2025, especially considering that Vulcan-Centaur, New Glenn, Ariane6, and Neutron will be operational. However it is very likely that Starship will launch more than 100 times before 4Q2026. I suspect that SpaceX may even send one to orbit, but not land, on Mars in the late 2026 window.

[@beanzandcheese]

And here we go!

[@smassky]

Maybe I'm late, but congrats on hitting 1million+ subs! That's so awesome!

[@chris55top]

Awesome! You guys hit million subscribers.

[@photogeNK]

4:46 😂 Thank you.

[@oldmanstumpie1061]

8:31 That's interesting. It would be great to see a comparison of the chopstick closing speed once we get more data.

[@joshm3008]

Jack is back the jack attack the jack attack is back

[@TheCritterWindow]

I am sticking to my prediction that the first catch attempts will be at the new tower. Cant damage the only launch tower. Still lots of proof of concept before a real catch try.

[@SarahKchannel]

Are you guys allowed to have taller camera towers, so you can possibly peak over the walls being built ? Or are there rules how tall you can go ?

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

I was JUST thinking that! Like getting three 1ft-diameter triangular antenna masts to make a very robust tripod, standing maybe 15-20ft high. _(would easily be able to have a large platform on top that multiple other channel's camera hardware could be mounted to; not that this would be that expensive)_ Since it'd be in a tripod configuration, it wouldn't need guy wires or any concrete mounting pads, meaning it could be relatively easy to disassembled and relocated if needed.

[@TenorDad]

I'm praying for a May 4th IFT4 launch date.

[@TenorDad]

May the 4th be with SpaceX!

[@canaancopeland5059]

we are go for IFT-4!

[@ryer8477]

Alex Alcantarilla, Ryan Weber... Missed you on this one. Also the hectic behaviour of Jack when he's out in the wild!

[@ryer8477]

But don't get me wrong, incredible piece of informative content anyway! Thank you all!

[@lyricbread]

8:27 THANK YOU for referring to it as an “actuator” and not “piston!” That drives me nuts.

[@brendasawyers]

Onward and Upward 🚀

[@therealjamespickering]

I hope that, like the first launch attempt, they don't attempt to catch the booster prematurely. It would be a massive setback if the launch mount or the tower were damaged. I still think that a dedicated catch tower would be a far safer option. It would not require significant infrastructure surrounding it and so a failed catch would not put progress back by a year or more.

[@bryanillenberg]

Not really. The booster doesn't have enough energy to cause much damage to the OLM or tower in a realistic failed catch.

[@srinivasr.9976]

@bryan But won't the computers autonomously trigger the flight termination system should something go wrong just before it being caught? It will destroy the OLM if something like that happens right? I may be wrong in my assumption about FTS though

[@bryanillenberg]

@@srinivasr.9976 FTS is dearmed before landing burn, but Super Heavy cannot destroy the OLM in a failed catch. It might require a new set of chopsticks, but everything will be fine.

[@srinivasr.9976]

@@bryanillenberg Oh, that's interesting! I thought FTS activation was the reason for the booster exploding some 400m above the sea (as was reported by SpaceX) in flight 3. I guess the landing burn had just started then but not all engines relight as expected. Am I missing something here?

[@bryanillenberg]

@@srinivasr.9976 no, you aren't missing anything: the booster exploded for unknown reasons at 462 meters, with only 3/13 engines relighting and only 1 remaining lit.

[@woodentuliphoek]

I'm not so sure about the live capture (chopsticks) on Descent. The flame diverter/flame trench makes more sense with the massive 4-point structure that is being looked at. This may mean for RTLS for Heavy Booster may possibly be an accurate land-pad at Massey's since that location is surrounded by the moat. The shorter chopsticks at Kennedy was a bit of a clue to this from ages ago.

[@ingoos]

Here's another (ingoos) crazy idea (or two): instead of always having to make repairs on the OLM... how about just building a taller tower, use the chopsticks to raise Starship / Falcon, say, 50 meters (or higher)... 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... engines ignition! quick disconnect chopsticks... clear the tower

[@HelloKittyFanMan]

"...On Tuesday -- that's tomorrow as you watch this..." No it's not -- for some of us. It was the "tomorrow" of when you _posted_ this.

[@LindaMadlala]

It looks like the moment SpaceX nails a successful test flight _ we could see another flight within weeks _ no shortage of vehicles 🚀

[@wojecire]

Happy Chris Bergun noises, I'm dead

[@jull1234]

ONE MILLION SUBS!!!!!

[@DG-rp4xn]

I'm surprised they aren't building a separate catch tower, independent of the launch tower. An offshore catch tower would be very nice for future launches for that extra delta V.

[@alexlabs4858]

“If it works it works”………*hucks rock*

[@timw6596]

SpaceX should go to the Acme Company and get a large floating "X" and place it out in the water to see if they can hit it with the next booster landing !

[@Wild-Eye]

Hey Jack 🤚🏻😎✌🏻

[@MrSango123]

morning jack

[@jasonboard572]

Hi Jack, I was just wondering if they are going to catch the boster or Starship they must at least have stick out catching mounts of some sort, as there is no way you can catch just, on what looks like a ball joint off a trailor lifting points? Enjoy your updates by the way !

[@TroyRubert]

LFG!!!

[@faisalsvideoworld]

seems it will take a while for them to fix heatsheild yet

[@CanisoGaming]

Na, no way. I for one think they'll need to land the starship and booster ALONE successfully enough times before they start resting it landing on the sticks. I mean imagine if that test goes wrong how much time and resource that tower will take to rebuild lol, will def need some more testing before that.

[@ragaloft]

Howdy Jack✋

[@MacKayver]

2:30 some Sci-Fi-High -Technologie-Spaceship-Engineering is going on there :D

[@HelloKittyFanMan]

"...And then retracted back." * "And then retracted." (Retraction already includes a "back.")

[@rickrack4812]

Instead of scrapping those rings, they could have donated them to make them as observation platforms away from the launch site for people such as NSF. With living area with cots inside so they could new rest while you're waiting for any delays... Or to be ready for early morning setups

[@taddinraleigh]

How heavy is one ring segment?

[@slevinshafel9395]

9:05 +1 thumb up

[@HelloKittyFanMan]

"Lower down" as opposed to "lower up"? "Adhesive glue" as opposed to some sort of "nonstick glue"?

[@mostevil1082]

I imagine they'll be cautious releasing raptor startup footage as that's the riskiest part of the cycle that they'll be putting the most effort into improving. Showing issues there might attract attention that'll slow everything down.

[@nenadkatic3081]

Security good works

[@DAlexander35]

Why wouldn’t they build just a catch tower so if the booster fails it wont risk taking out the OLM and surrounding tank farm? As they perfect the catch then they could move to catching it on the launchpad.

[@thomascharlton8545]

Something to discuss: The “Achilles heel” of Starship that no-one is talking about: The Human Factors element of riding Starship to a retro-rocket landing. Going to be a terrifying ride every time. Even when everything goes right.

[@Barthhhelona]

Technically, no humans have to experience starships crazy landing on earth. For Artemis, they would be going up and coming back on the SLS rocket and capsule anyway

[@bryanillenberg]

Is it any scarier than using parachutes?

[@thomascharlton8545]

@@BarthhhelonaYou’ve heard of using Starships for 100 passenger point to point transportation around earth right?

[@thomascharlton8545]

@@bryanillenbergConsiderably scarier! I’m sure you’ve seen video from onboard a Falcon 9 first stage landing on a drone ship? Plunging toward earth supersonic then start a rocket engine in the last few seconds to save the day. Very Scary!

[@bryanillenberg]

@@thomascharlton8545 except, Starship won't be supersonic at engine ignition. And there will be a hover period, with a huge margin.

[@rayoverstreet9254]

Jack, I have asked this question in the live streams before and I never have heard anyone answer. Since the chopsticks ride up and down on the tower and are lifted by the cable, how do they power the hydraulics and items on the chopstick arms?

[@JackABeyer]

That's a really good question! I have no idea, sorry

[@jesseturner9865]

Is stage 0 big enough for starship v2? v3?

[@stevewright201]

Just ?when space x gets to Mars the atmosphere is alot thinner than here so would this interfere with entry with Star ship heat shield

[@chronablitz]

Anybody get Star Wars Episode 1 vibes seeing a worker cut a whole in the side of it?

[@Future2024]

Starship needs wings like the shuttle

[@davidsheriff8989]

What will be the main purpose of Flight 4 if not a catch of the booster ?

[@JoeDaManTheHC]

👀🐔👀🐔 Chicken man was here.

[@ItsEverythingElse]

I predict chopstick landing attempt no sooner than IFT-6.

[@GumbootZone]

7:14 "Barely any activity at all." That's because he's playing on his cellphone instead of working!

[@PeteSty]

Does NSF use its own videos, or are they provided by SpaceX?

[@corrinastanley125]

NSF has their own camera team taking footage and photo's .

[@corrinastanley125]

But they will show parts of footage that Space X releases to the public to explain or point something out to us.

[@it-o9910]

shuttle tanker is incredibly cool! I want to go to orbit, see Earth... Where are point2point plans, Elon?

[@romec3435]

👀🔎🚀👍

[@atharvavashishtha5451]

i bet we will see another starship saor the skies by the end of this month...What do u guys think?

[@phil1657]

They got raptors that spit hot lightning?

[@davidlittlejohn6636]

🙂👍

[@IceCreams62]

It is time to buy long poles to place the ''spy'' cameras 🙂

[@cipedead0777]

You think IFT is in about 2 weeks ?

[@marh122]

as I see those trucks coming with methane and oxygen etc. Is spacex planning to make their own propelants in a near future ? I dont think its feasible to always wait for the trucks to come and refill those tanks

[@vinoheart]

am lead engineer for raptor new version and also catch engineering algo written by me.

[@ra7502]

I don't think we will see a catch attempt until the 2nd launch tower is up. To much risk of putting the test campaign behind should a catch attempt damage the launch tower.

[@RXTRUX1]

If they haven't fixed attitude control and restart that's premature.

[@MatsukawaZaraki]

All the hate you gave Ship 26 and now come to find out it's probably going to be the first to attempt landing on the moon..... Eating those "BOOO Ship 26, BOO" chants now lol Think about what he said in the last talk.....Moon landers will not have flaps, and will need feet for landing. So the reason all of the extra stringers have been added is because it needs to withstand the "touchdown" forces exerted on the body when it lands. I'm so excited for that!!

[@bryanillenberg]

S26 is almost certainly going to be scrap. And the touchdown forces are going to be very small when compared to 4+ G acceleration during launch!

[@MatsukawaZaraki]

@@bryanillenberg Sounds like you have no idea what's going on lol

[@bryanillenberg]

@@MatsukawaZaraki Find one piece of evidence that S26 will fly. And no, lack of tiles doesn't count.

[@MatsukawaZaraki]

@bryanillenberg already stated....extra stringers is just one example which you conveniently forgot I mentioned

[@bryanillenberg]

@@MatsukawaZaraki Extra stringers, which are covering the lifting points, thus making stacking impossible. Thanks for making my point for me.

[@tjmoore1084]

why so much of jack’s face shown? not enuf spacex film? lol

[@antonybastin3432]

👍👍👍🇮🇳

[@OlafGodredsson]

Thanks for stopping all the shitTy jokes 👍 I can watch your channel again

[@richardknapp570]

Sad they are building so many walls around LC (likely for debris containment) but the growth is blocking our prying eyes!