Missed

Starship launch capability at Cape 39A and an ocean platform

Elon Musk promised Starship launch capability at Cape 39A and an ocean platform by end of 2022 by the end of 2022. The deadline passed and it didn't happen.

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“hopefully by the end of this year we will have a launch capability at cape Kennedy at 39A and on one of the ocean platforms as well”
— Elon Musk · Feb 10, 2022 · SpaceX Starship Update (February 10, 2022), video, ~01:34:27 01:34:27 ↗
Video: SpaceX Starship Update (February 10, 2022), video, ~01:34:27
▶ WATCH HIM SAY IT @ 01:34:27 — SPACEX STARSHIP UPDATE (FEBRUARY 10, 2022), VIDEO, ~01:34:27
What actually happened

Neither existed by the end of 2022. Starship's first launch of any kind was from Starbase in April 2023, the 39A Starship pad was still under construction in 2026, and the converted oil rigs (Phobos and Deimos) were sold off in 2024 without ever launching. Wikipedia: SpaceX Starbase / Starship launch sites ↗

The Progression

Feb 10, 2022
The promise: “hopefully by the end of this year we will have a launch capability at cape Kennedy at 39A and on one of the ocean platforms as well” · SpaceX Starship Update (February 10, 2022), video, ~01:34:27 01:34:27 ↗
Dec 31, 2022
Deadline passed. Neither existed by the end of 2022. Starship's first launch of any kind was from Starbase in April 2023, the 39A Starship pad was still under construction in 2026, and the converted oil rigs (Phobos and Deimos) were sold off in 2024 without ever launching. Wikipedia: SpaceX Starbase / Starship launch sites ↗
Today · Oct 12, 2026
Status: Missed · 1,381 days past due. Never happened.

At the February 2022 Starship update Elon Musk said SpaceX hoped to have Starship launch capability at Kennedy's Pad 39A and on one of its converted ocean platforms by the end of 2022. Neither happened.

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Receipts

LAST CHECKED 2026-10-12

SpaceX’s record

Delivered
31
38% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
50
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
43
On the clock now. All 124 SpaceX claims →

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