the showerhead era

The wildest era was definitely “maybe we can fire directly onto the concrete”.

They could. And they did. Once.

2026-02-17:

• Feb 16th addendum: NSF post video of the Pad 2 deluge test from multiple angles. (NSF)
• Florida: Overnight, the first segment of the SLC-37 launch tower is rolled out. (NSF)
• Massey’s: Overnight, Test tank S39.1 performs its 9th cryo test. (ViX)
• Clamp arms are removed from the can crusher test structure, possibly indicating more extensive disassembly. (ViX)
• Two composite overwrap pressure vessels arrive at Massey’s, presumably for testing. (ViX)
• Build site: Overnight, the booster transport stand moves from the launch site to Sanchez. (ViX)
• A 3-ring aft section for S40 moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2. (Avid Space, ViX)
• Launch site: Reerection of scaffolding on top of the Pad 2 launch mount begins. (ViX)
• Railings are delivered to Pad 2, likely for the roof of the tower. (ViX, Killip, Schlang)
• Gisler posts closeup video of the new LR11000 crane. (Gisler)
• Construction for launch site expansion continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)

2026-02-16:

• Launch site: Overnight, the booster transport stand moves from Sanchez to Pad 2. (Avid Space, ViX)
• Removal of scaffolding from the top deck of the Pad 2 launch mount is completed. (ViX, StarshipGazer, TrackingTheSB)
• Both Pad 2 booster quick disconnects perform multiple retraction and extension tests. (ViX)
• The Pad 2 ship quick disconnect arm swings out, and five tests of the detonation suppression system are performed. (ViX, rocketjunkie94, NSF, Anderson)
• The blast door of the Pad 2 launch mount is closed, the chopsticks are raised to maximum height, the booster stand is moved away, the launch mount clamp arm doors open, and the pad is cleared. (ViX, Anderson)
• The clamp arm doors close, the chopsticks slew to one side, and the deluge system is tested for the first time. (Avid Space 1, Avid Space 2, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX/Gisler, StarshipGazer, NSF, efraser77 1, efraser77 2, RoughRidersShow, cnunez, mymatrixplug, Golden)
• The clamp arm doors reopen, and both booster quick disconnects extend and retract. (ViX)
• Chopsticks are lowered to minimum height, and the ship quick disconnect arm swings in. (ViX)
• Sections of the SpaceX-owned LR11000 are transported away from the launch site, possibly for refurbishment. (ViX)
• McGregor: An updated Raptor tracking diagram is posted. (Rhin0)
• Florida: The first segment of the SLC-37 launch tower is rolled out. (Avid Space, Caton, rocketjunkie94, TrackingTheSB, Anderson)

Stage 1 landing confirmed!

Edit: M-vac shutdown, nominal orbit insertion.

MECO, stage separation, M-vac ignition, and fairing separation.

Liftoff! The weather cooperated after all!

2026-02-15:

• CyberguruG8073 posts updated ship and booster hardware diagrams. (CyberguruG8073)
• Launch site: The new LR11000 crane lifts multiple sections of roof for Tower 2. (ViX)
• The cameras which were retracted into the Pad 2 launch mount on Feb 8th are reextended. (ViX)
• Scaffolding around the Pad 2 LOX and methane booster quick disconnects has been removed, and the top of the launch mount has been cleared of tools and cables. (Killip, RGV Aerial)
• Both quick disconnects perform a couple of retraction and extension tests. (ViX)
• Scaffolding is removed from the LOX booster quick disconnect hood. (ViX, Anderson)

Propellant loading has begun.

NSF are live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92mWUeQCT4k

Weather is only 20% Go for the current T-0, launch window lasts until 09:00 UTC, or 04:00 local time.

There is a low but non-zero chance that this launches tonight.

Well, it’s not like SpaceX have put much effort into their YouTube channel recently, right? They don’t even stream the launches there anymore!

2026-02-14:

• McGregor: (Feb 13th addendum) R3.106 is lifted off of the south test stand and returned to the Raptor Hangar, followed by R3.98. (Rhin0)
• Launch site: Overnight, the Pad 2 chopsticks were raised to the top of the tower. (Starship Gazer)
• Pad 1 sheet piling installation continues. (ViX)
• Construction for launch site expansion continues. A continuous stream of trucks deliver fill as rolls of geogrid mesh are installed. (cnunez, Killip, BoosterTribe)
• Build site: Possible ship cryo test stand is identified. (TrackingTheSB)
• Road Delay for “Production to Pad” is posted for Feb 15th 23:59 to Feb 16th 04:00. (texas.gov, archive)
• Road Delay for “Pad to Production” is posted for Feb 16th 23:59 to Feb 17th 04:00. (texas.gov, archive)

Stage 1 landing confirmed!

M-vac shutdown, nominal orbit insertion.

MECO, stage separation, M-vac ignition, and fairing separation.

Liftoff!

Ooh, tracking satellite reentry from an airplane? This is a cool mission.

Nominal launch, booster landing, and Dragon spacecraft separation.

Source and direct quote: https://x.com/turkeybeaver/status/2020893520018416111

Also, It’s awesome to see Dragon 2 consistently launching from Pad 40. While the crew arm has come down at 39A for maintenance and to clear the way for Falcon Heavy and Starship, we’ll maintain the capability to call up Crew missions at 39A if needed.

@turkeybeaver is Kiko Dontchev, VP of launch at SpaceX.

2026-02-13:

• The FAA rule a FONSI (Finding Of No Significant Impact) on a proposal to expand Starship’s launch trajectories. (Avid Space, faa.gov 1, archive 1, ViX, faa.gov 2, archive 2, faa.gov 3, archive 3)
• Launch site: The boom of the new LR11000 crane is raised. (ViX)
• Pad 2 chopsticks are raised and lowered. (ViX)
• Build site: Inflatable Valentine’s decorations are observed in Starfactory. (Starship Gazer)
• Massey’s: Chopstick catch simulators are installed on the mystery structure, amongst other hardware. (NSF, ViX)
• Ram rings and rams are removed from the can crusher structure. (ViX)
• McGregor: R3.98 returns towards the test stand. (Rhin0)

NASA webcast is live: https://youtube.com/watch?v=zCM-Kwq91cc