Is the hexagonal shape of the room supposed to be reminiscent of the library of Babel?

2026-01-22:

• Jan 21st addendum: ViX video clip of the Starlink PEZ dispenser loader moving from Starfactory to Remedios Ave.
• Build site: S40 nosecone in Starfactory has forward flaps. (cnunez)
• Launch site: Two structures with piping are delivered to the air separation site. (NSF, ViX, cnunez, Velocity_Photos)
• Both structures are offloaded, and one is lifted into position. (Avid Space, ViX 1, ViX 2, Sorensen)
• Some pipe pieces are delivered and offloaded at the D4 gate. (ViX)
• Closeup of some equipment at the air separation site. (Sorensen)
• Drilling at Pad 1 continues. (Anderson)
• Massey’s: Overnight, test tank S39.1 performs its 7th cryo test. (Avid Space, ViX)
• The second V-shaped section is reinstalled on the mystery structure. (ViX)

Capsule touchdown confirmed.

Booster landing confirmed.

MECO, capsule separation, and apogee.

Liftoff!

Countdown has entered another hold at T-2:54.

Edit: Range issue. Unauthorised personnel on the range.

Edit2: Range cleared, countdown resumed.

Hold released.

Go no-go poll is complete. Everything is green.

Countdown has entered a hold at T-9 minutes.

2026-01-21:

• Massey’s: Overnight, B18.3 was crush-tested to failure, buckling just below the common dome. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• In the evening, venting from Massey’s indicates another night of testing, presumably S39.1 (Sorensen)
• Build site: The Starlink PEZ dispenser loader exits Starfactory and travels down Highway-4 making a right turn onto Remedios Ave, likely headed to Megabay 2. (wvmattz)
• Launch site: Overnight, another large tank is moved from Brownsville Port to Pad 2. (ViX)
• During the day, another smaller tank is delivered to the air separation site and lifted into position by the LR1500 and LR11000 cranes. (ViX, ViX 2)
• Drilling at Pad 1 continues. (NSF)
• Road delay for “Port of Brownsville to ASU” is posted for Jan 21st 23:59 to Jan 22nd 04:00. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)

Hm, so the launch date has slipped to 2027. Still ahead of everyone else, but starting to inch closer to the 2030 retirement of the ISS…

I did not know that there was a “squirrel appreciation day”, but I am very glad to know that one exists!

2026-01-20:

• Launch site: Overnight, a large tank is moved from Brownsville Port to Pad 2. (Avid Space, ViX, Gisler)
• During the day, another tank is delivered to the air separation site. (ViX)
• The LR11000 crane is raised, and weights are added to the rear ballast tray. With the LR1500 crane, it executes a dual lift of the newly delivered tank. (ViX)
• Another road delay for “Port of Brownsville to Pad” is posted for Jan 20th 23:59 to Jan 21st 04:00, likely for delivery of a second tank similar to the one the previous night. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX)
• Drilling begins for the Pad 1 flame trench. (Golden, Anderson 1, Anderson 2, Anderson 3)
• Build site: A four-ring barrel section exits Megabay 2 and moves to Sanchez, presumably for scrapping. (ViX)
• Aft flap 2 of 2 (flap 4 of 4) is installed on S39. (ViX, Velocity_Photos)
• Massey’s: Overnight, test tank 39.1 performs its 6th cryo test. (ViX)
• A second V-shaped section is lifted and welded to the mystery structure, then possibly cut free and removed. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• The can-crusher surrounding test tank 17 (B18.1) is being dismantled. (ViX)
• B18.3 is crush-tested to failure, buckling just below the common dome. (Avid Space, efraser77, colleenliedtke, Golden 1, Golden 2)

I love how happy Hobbes looks in the final panel.

Ever since I first saw this comic, I wondered if it could work.

2026-01-19:

• Massey’s: Overnight, the booster cryo stand moves from Massey’s to the build site. (NSF, ViX, Gisler, Sorensen)
• S39.1 performs its 5th cryo test. (NSF, ViX, cnunez)
• A V-shaped section is lifted for welding to the mystery structure. (ViX)
• Build site: Aft flap 1 of 2 is installed on S39. (Avid Space, ViX)
• Launch site: Road delay is posted for Jan 19th 23:59 to Jan 20th 04:00 for “Port of Brownsville to Pad”, possibly for delivery of a tank at the air separation site. (starbase.texas.gov, archive, ViX, Anderson, Guidry)
• Two new vaporisers are delivered and lifted into place at the tank farm. (ViX)
• The LR1500 crane is erected, and the LR11000 crane is laid back down. (ViX, Gisler)
• Pouring of the concrete wall near Pad 2 continues. (ViX)
• Zack Golden speculates on Pad 1 upgrades.

2026-01-18:

• Massey’s: Road delay is in place for Jan 18th 23:59 to Jan 19th 04:00 for “Masseys to Production”, likely for the transport of the booster cryo test stand. (ViX, RoughRidersShow)
• Air separation site: Reassembly of the LR11000 crane is completed. (ViX, wvmattz)
• Assembly of the LR1500 (or LR1300?) crane continues. (ViX)
• Florida: Gigabay construction continues. (CarstensPete, rbalephoto)

SECO, nominal orbit insertion.

Stage 1 landing confirmed!

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