SpaceX Weekly Roundup: Starship Updates, Starbase Developments, and Falcon 9 Launches

Welcome to this week’s SpaceX roundup from a Canadian perspective. I’m thrilled to share the latest happenings with one of the most innovative space companies out there. Let’s dive into the key updates from the past week, covering Starship progress, Starbase changes, Falcon 9 missions, and other noteworthy news.

Starship Project Developments

SpaceX continues to push boundaries with its Starship program, and this week brought some exciting insights into their progress toward lunar missions and beyond. Here’s a breakdown of the latest on vehicle changes, launch outcomes, and upcoming plans.

Vehicle Changes (Starship and Super Heavy): SpaceX is deep into developing the Block 3 design for Starship and Super Heavy, with significant updates aimed at enhancing performance for the Human Landing System (HLS) variant for NASA’s Artemis program. The Block 3 Booster features a redesigned aft section with external high-pressure piping and reduced shielding around the Raptor 3 engines, cutting down on weight. The forward section now includes an integrated hot stage truss and repositioned grid fins for better aerodynamics during descent. Ship 39, part of this new design, has refined catch pins on the nosecone, adjusted tank domes for more fuel capacity, and a new probe-and-drogue docking system for orbital maneuvers. HLS-specific advancements include dual airlocks, a spacious 600 cubic meter interior, and landing thrusters to minimize lunar dust disruption during touchdown.

Recent Launch Success/Failure: There were no Starship launches this past week. However, SpaceX has completed 11 full-stack flight tests to date, with the Block 2 era ending on a high note, achieving booster reuse, in-space engine relights, and controlled reentries. These milestones set a strong foundation for future tests.

Upcoming Launches: The first Block 3 flight test, involving Booster 18 and Ship 39, is slated for Q1 2026. Neither vehicle is fully constructed yet, with cryogenic testing expected to start in December. This flight will test critical objectives like ship reuse and propellant transfer, vital for HLS missions. SpaceX aims to have HLS ready by mid-2027 for Artemis 3, though timelines remain ambitious given remaining milestones. Pad 2 at Starbase is nearing completion for these tests, featuring a robust new design with a flame trench and water-cooled steel deck.

Starbase Developments

Starbase in Texas, SpaceX’s hub for Starship development, saw notable activity this week. Workers have begun dismantling the original Orbital Launch Mount at Pad 1, which supported the first 11 Starship test flights. This teardown is part of a modification to adapt the pad for next-generation Starships, specifically the Block 3 design. Meanwhile, construction at Pad 2 (also known as Pad B) is nearing completion, featuring a new flame trench, water-cooled steel deck, redesigned tank farm, and overall sturdier infrastructure. This pad will be crucial for upcoming Block 3 tests in 2026. Similar pad designs are under construction at LC-39A and planned for SLC-37 in Florida, indicating a broader infrastructure upgrade. These changes underscore SpaceX’s commitment to high-frequency testing and eventual operational flights.

Falcon 9 Launches and Landings

SpaceX had a busy week with Falcon 9, conducting multiple launches. On October 28, Starlink Group 11-21 launched 28 satellites from Cape Canaveral, followed by Starlink Group 10-37 on October 29 with 29 satellites. October 31 saw Starlink Group 11-23 launch another 28 satellites. The most notable mission was on November 2, with the Bandwagon 4 rideshare mission, carrying 18 payloads to a mid-inclination orbit, including tech demos for space stations and data centers, and a South Korean military intelligence satellite. All launches were successful, with first-stage boosters returning to Earth, reinforcing Falcon 9’s reliability for diverse missions.

Other SpaceX News

Beyond launches and Starship updates, Elon Musk shared a brief note on X, stating that “Starlink is improving fast,” hinting at ongoing enhancements to the satellite internet service. While details weren’t provided, this suggests continued focus on expanding global connectivity, a key SpaceX goal. This snippet aligns with SpaceX’s recent milestone of surpassing 10,000 Starlink satellites launched, showcasing their rapid progress in building a mega-constellation for internet access worldwide.

Citations

• Starship Block 3 and HLS: The path to get back to the Moon – https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/11/starship-block-3-path-moon/
• SpaceX launches fourth Bandwagon rideshare mission – https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-fourth-bandwagon-rideshare-mission/
• Live coverage: Commercial space station demo, data center precursor to launch on SpaceX Bandwagon mission – https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/11/01/live-coverage-commercial-space-station-demo-data-center-precursor-to-launch-on-spacex-bandwagon-mission/
• Falcon 9 launches the Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission to orbit – https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1984885305841799452
• Starbase workers have begun tearing down the Orbital Launch Mount – https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1985131307014467586
• Starlink is improving fast – https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1985300481741398265
• SpaceX reaches incredible Starlink milestone – https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-announces-incredible-starlink-milestone/