2026-08-13:

• Massey’s: The B18.3 test tank is lifted onto the new concrete plinth at Massey’s. (ViX, Blobifie)
• Production site: S42 has received both aft flaps. Several tiles have been removed from the LOX tank of the ship. (Blobifie)
• Pad 1 Chopstick modifications continue. (ViX)
• Pad 2: Additional mounting tabs have been installed on the tower to support additional cladding. (Anderson)
• Florida: SpaceX file an Environmental Resource Permit for the development of a static fire stand near near their existing Roberts Road facilities at KSC. Likely to be similar to the Massey’s in Starbase. (Bergeron 1, permitting.sjrwmd.com, Bergeron 2, Bergeron 3, INiallAnderson)
• Louisiana: SpaceX jet is observed at Lafayette regional airport. (mcrs987)
• Flight 13: S40 is untethered from Norman Ranger, and the fenders are removed. (interstellargw)
• Path since splashdown. (mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2)
• Norman Ranger and Go Australis continue to maintain position near S40. (interstellargw)

2026-08-14:

• Production site: Overnight, a a Starship nose cone is sleeved over its COPVs and header tank inside Starfactory. (ViX)
• The LOX landing tank installation stand enters Megabay 1, likely to assist in B22 final stacking. (ViX)
• B23’s common dome and A2 LOX tank section move from Starfactory to Megabay 1. (Avid Space, ViX)
• McGregor: A Raptor 3 (sea level) heads to the north test stand. (SpaceRhin0)
• Flight 13: Norman Ranger and Go Australis reverse towards S40. (interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2)
• Norman Ranger heads towards Christmas Island. Go Australis stays near S40. (interstellargw, interstellargw 2, interstellargw 3, interstellargw 4)
• Go Australis changes direction. (interstellargw)
• Norman Ranger arrives at Christmas Island. (interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2, interstellargw 3, Blobifie)
• Flight 14: Likely NET September, per Jared Isaacman. (NSF)
• Other: Zack Golden / CSI Starbase publish Episode 4 of their Starship Stage Zero 2.0 series: Why Is Starship’s New Insanely Powerful Deluge System This Complex?

Nobody Banned Private Rockets in India

Seems more like: The UN kinda indirectly banned all launches via the Outer Space Treaty, but made each individual country in charge of permitting their own launches. India just took a bit longer to draft legislation for private launch vehicles than other countries.

https://bsky.app/profile/rykllan.bsky.social/post/3msvkchx4gc2m

#Falcon9 fairing halves of #Starlink 17-38

https://bsky.app/profile/rykllan.bsky.social/post/3mswnzmgbp22s

#Falcon9 fairing halves of #Starlink 10-19

Video of deployment: https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2087511069770072430

2026-08-12:

• Aug 11th addenda: A 12th section of deluge pipe is delivered to Pad 1. (ViX)
• The Pad 2 hold-down clamps are individually retracted. (ViX)
• Pad 1: Three segments of deluge pipe are delivered. (ViX)
• Further sections of steel have ben removed from the ends of the Pad 1 chopsticks. (Anderson)
• Production site: Closeup of which heatshield tiles were removed from S42. (StarshipGazer, cnunez)
• McGregor: R3.225 (new highest) leaves the testing site. (SpaceRhin0)
• Florida: An application for Special Temporary Authority is posted for on-ground testing of Starship Super Heavy vehicle communications at the SpaceX test facilities in Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center. (apps.fcc.gov) (Thanks u/Straumli_Blight)
• Flight 13: Normand Ranger and Go Australis are still alongside S40, but currently not towing it. (interstellargw)
• S40 may have rolled over. (mcrs987 1, mcrs987 2)

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2087415415651631135

Deployment of 24 @Starlink satellites confirmed

2026-08-11:

• Production site: Overnight, the launch mount maintenance platform is moved from Brownsville Port to the production site. (StarshipGazer, Starship Gazer (YouTube), Priel, RC_horseman)
• Some heatshield tiles are removed from S42 in Megabay 2. (ViX)
• Assembly of the new Pad 1 launch mount is underway. (Gisler)
• Gigabay construction continues. (Gisler)
• Pad 1: Eleven large pipe sections are delivered and offloaded. (ViX)
• Flame trench construction continues. (Gisler)
• Massey’s: The S43.1 test tank is still in the test structure. (Gisler)
• Flight 13: Go Australis makes a 1.5 km approach to Normand Ranger and S40. Sea conditions are still poor, but weather might be improving soon. (interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2, interstellargw 3, mcrs987)
• Other: Elon delivers a company update to employees. No new Starship info. Not worth watching if that your main interest. (SpaceX)

M-vac shutdown, nominal orbit insertion.

Stage 1 landing confirmed!

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

Liftoff!

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2087222687399657788

Deployment of 29 @Starlink satellites confirmed

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2086145331868119424

Deployment of 24 @Starlink satellites confirmed

M-vac shutdown, nominal park orbit.

Stage 1 landing confirmed!

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

Pressure? At Max-Q?

2026-08-10:

• Brownsville Port: A launch mount maintenance platform is identified. (Golden, Killip 1, Killip 2)
• Launch site: Another tank is moved from Brownsville Port to the launch site. (ViX)
• The tank which was delivered the previous day is moved into place at the tank farm. (ViX)
• The tank which was delivered in the morning is also moved into place. (ViX)
• Pipes for the deluge system are pending installation. (House / Gisler)
• Production site: The 4-point lifter enters Megabay 2, and is moved to the right side, likely in preparation to receive the nosecone for S43. (ViX)
• Road delay for “Port to Production” is posted for Aug 10th 23:59 to Aug 11th 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive)
• McGregor: Vacuum engine R3.186 heads towards the testing area. (SpaceRhin0)
• Past week’s Raptor tracking summary. (SpaceRhin0)
• **Flight 13: Go Australis returns to the position of Normand Ranger and S40. Weather is still poor, possibly improving Wednesday. (interstellargw 1, interstellargw 2, interstellargw 3, mcrs987, mcrs987)
• Flight 14: Booster catch might be attempted. (XanderSky, apps.fcc.gov)

Confirmed stage 2 engine cutoff.

Confirmed QZS-7 separation!