How Did SpaceX’s New Pad Hold Up Against Starship Static Fires?

By now there have been two separate Booster 9 Static fires within the month of August as SpaceX prepares to launch Starship a second time. Both of which used the new water-cooled steel plate to dampen and deflect the heat, power, and sound waves that 33 Raptor engines produce. While only partial thrust and for a few seconds, they still give a great insight into how these pad upgrades have performed and what it will look like on launch day.

Before Starship’s first launch back in April, the static fire certainly didn’t destroy the pad, but it didn’t necessarily provide a lot of confidence in its integrity. Even using partial thrust small pieces of debris could still be seen flying during and after the test. This eventually led to the launch day and complete destruction of the Fondag concrete.

This time around SpaceX is paying a lot more attention to the pad and its surrounding structures. Even launch day timelines have changed which will no doubt have an effect on the pad and what forces it’s exposed to during the launch. Here I will go more in-depth into the state of Starship’s new pad protection, how it held up against two different static fires, the difference on launch day, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:57 - Two Static Fires
4:01 - Launch Prep

[douglasscott]

I appreciate a video that does not repeat information or “get back to that later” or tediously explain that rockets go up.

[alecbrown]

Considering what happened on the first launch, and that the pad is dealing with as much and more than mercury and apollo rockets, and being the most powerful rocket ever, we should congratulate spacex. Their testing and improving or redesigns that rarely need more than 2 revisions. It's this that has caused the years of delays and failures with SLS and New Glen for NASA

[tonyduncan]

It seems the water spray has made a difference in damping the reflected shock waves from the horizontal base. Surprising!

[cluideman]

The sight of a 20 ton piece of concrete flying 150 ft into the air will stay with me forever !!

[FetchTheCow]

Have any details been released about the actual state of the pad after these last two static fires? Is it still like new and viable for many launches?

[robertobruselas]

The OLM is an amazing peas of engineering. With the latest upgrade, the OLM will withstand the roar of the raptor engines at the next launch event. SpaceX enthusiast from Europe.

[savethedeveloper]

The fondag held at 50%, then blew at full thrust.

[avapn]

the ship QD was raised and upgraded a while ago

[blengi]

presumably they cycled a few engines up to full thrust just to gauge various effects on new pad versus every engines being the same settings?

[brucerideout]

Lovely footage.
Nice 👍 Production.
Can't wait to see the Beast fly....

[MadScience]

Wait, where is the outro music?!? I really like that

[ShaneSaxson]

They need water jets on the entire length of the inside of the launch tower legs.

[mclark]

SpaceX also did static fire tests before the disastrous April launch and learned nothing from them. Since no images of the steel plates condition after these tests have been released, they were probably damaged due the inadequacy of the deluge system. When the force of an actual launch hits them, the damage will be far more extensive.

[ManofCulture]

That bidet system really works great hahaha I won the

[georgejenkins]

Yes, after watching your drop for the 3rd time... Yes Sir... I just subscribed !!

[toadsauce]

Launch as many as you can as fast as you can and sort it out along the way. The government needs to get the hell out of the way!

[benoitferland]

Good video but you need to put the references of your source images and videos. Like in this one: it’s mostly credit at spaceX

[alankohn]

It looks good but I notice you made no mention of the environmental impact people seem to keep forgetting this is smack dab in the middle of a conservation area.

[plainText]

I think the fact that they still couldn't make it through the static fire without 2 engines shutting down shows that they should really do more ground testing before launch. If they can't make it through a couple seconds of static fire, what would make them think they can make it through minutes of flight? To me this show they still have some underlying engine issues that they have not addressed since the many engine failures on the maiden launch.

[postsurrealfish]

With all launches and science in general, they don't consider the effects that electrical charge has on matter. I will discuss this once a full countdown is started.