I’ve been chasing this dream since it was just a flat Florida field next to Hangar X on Roberts Road. Saw the early stages of the concrete pours from the windows of Hangar X when I was there for a work meeting. Week after week, driving through Kennedy Space Center to Hangar X, I’d drive by to see the progress. Once I started seeing something besides direct and concrete, I’d pull over and snap pics. Haven’t stopped yet because it’s not done. Fast-forward to today, January 4, 2026, and that “nothing” is a monster: SpaceX’s Starship Gigabay steel skeleton towering over the Space Coast skyline, cranes lifting beams like shooting stars, frame already two stories high on the first half (second half kicking off now).
This isn’t just a building—it’s Florida’s gateway to the stars. At 380 feet tall with 815,000 sq ft (24 work cells, 400-ton cranes), it’ll stack and refurb Super Heavy boosters (232ft beasts) right here, fueling LC-39A launches, Artemis moon runs, and Elon’s Mars fleet dreams. Site prep started April 2025; full ops by end of 2026, per FAA filings and fresh NSF/Mario Nawfal flyovers. Initially, barged-in Starships from Texas till local production roars—first Florida flights possibly Q4 ’26.
Early Days: The Empty Field (2024/early 2025)
This is where it all began—just a flat stretch of Florida sand and scrub next to Hangar X, whispering possibilities. I’d drive by and dream about what might rise here one day. Little did I know how fast “someday” would arrive.
Groundwork and Foundations (Mid-2025)
The earth started moving—literally. Heavy machinery cleared the land, pilings drove deep for stability, and massive concrete pours laid the unbreakable base. Watching those foundations take shape felt like seeing roots grow for a future giant. Every pour was a promise: this isn’t just a building; it’s a gateway.
Steel Rising: The Skeleton Takes Shape (Late 2025)
Then came the magic moment—steel beams lifting into the sky. Tower cranes (two at first, swinging like patient conductors) began assembling the frame, story by story. By December, parts of the structure reached multiple levels, looming taller each week. Driving by now, my heart skips: from bare field to this towering outline in under a year. It’s proof the stars aren’t as far as they seem.
Current View: End of 2025 Snapshot
As the year closed, the Gigabay’s steel frame stood proud—western half pushing ahead with beams and columns climbing fast, the whole site buzzing with purpose. It’s already changing the Space Coast skyline. I can’t help but smile every time I pass: my inner shuttle-kid is getting her second chance.
Gigabay Photos
Below are some of the pics I’ve taken over the last few months to document the progress. In case you can’t tell, I’m not a professional photographer. I was literally taking these as I was driving, so ignore my car mirrors, screen and dashboard.
October 19, 2025
October 26, 2025
November 9, 2025
November 26, 2025
December 17, 2025
December 31, 2025
Watching this rise feels like my inner kid (shuttle tears in 2011) getting a second chance—humanity building now, not waiting for “someday.” Heart races every glimpse; proof dreams orbit back around.
Documenting this journey—from empty field to towering dream—reminds me why I fell in love with space in the first place. It’s not just steel and concrete; it’s human hands building bridges to the cosmos, one beam at a time. 2026 will bring enclosure, interiors, and eventually the roar of Florida Starships. Until then, I’ll keep chasing these quiet milestones. Thank you for stargazing with me.
More updates coming in January. Can’t wait to see this behemoth when it’s finished.