Starbase Update Tracks Booster 20 Prep and Tower Work for Flight 13
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Topics in this report
Summary
The video covers Starbase activities June 7-12, 2026, including ongoing work on the orbital launch mount tower arms (chopsticks) and carriage system maintenance, plus refurbishment after Flight 12 from Pad 2. It details Booster 20 completing a second cryo proof test, rolling back to Mega Bay 1 for engine installation ahead of Flight 13, and Booster 21's LOX tank being temporarily moved to accommodate it.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast provides a detailed, on-the-ground observational update consistent with contemporaneous reporting from multiple space outlets. Claims about vehicle assignments (B20/S40 for Flight 13, B21/S41 for Flight 14) and Gwynne Shotwell's July timeframe comment align with public statements and hardware tracking. Schedule speculation is clearly caveated as tentative. Viewers receive accurate context on testing cadence and infrastructure work but limited insight into regulatory or FAA timelines that could affect launch dates.
Key Moments
Booster 20 completed a second cryo proof test and returned to Mega Bay 1 for engine installation ahead of Flight 13
Corroborated by multiple contemporaneous reports and timelines on B20's Massey testing and rollback
Gwynne Shotwell indicated Flight 13 could occur in July
Matches public comments attributed to Shotwell projecting a July window following Flight 12
Booster 21 and Ship 41 progressing toward Flight 14
Consistent with stacking and processing updates across Starbase coverage
Chopsticks and launch mount receiving maintenance and upgrades post-Flight 12
Directly matches NSF and community observations of carriage work and scaffolding
Sources Consulted
- Booster 20 (B20) - Starship SpaceX Wiki
- Booster 20 returns for engines ahead of Flight 13 | SpaceX Starbase
- Starship Flight 13 Timeline Taking Shape | B20 Passes First Cryo Test | Starship Update
- Starship - Next Spaceflight
- Starship Flight Test 13 - Starship SpaceX Wiki
- From our latest Starbase Summary (Jun 7-12, 2026): Pad 2 chopstick work continues...
- SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell on Starship orbital flights
- Onward to Flight 13: Booster 20 Cryo | SpaceX Starbase
- Booster 20 | Starship | Next Spaceflight
- Starship Flight 13 | Starship-Super Heavy v3 | Next Spaceflight
- Booster 21 (B21) - Starship SpaceX Wiki
- Ship 41 (S41) - Starship SpaceX Wiki