The Design Flaw That Caused The Starship Launchpad to Fail!

In this episode we will be reviewing the historic Starship Integrated Flight Test. This will be an extremely in depth look into the design flaw that caused the failure of the pad under the Orbital Launch Mount.

We will also explain the water cooled blast surface that SpaceX is in the process of installing and examine all of the other protective measures that will work together to enable rapid reusability in the future.

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CSI Starbase Production : Geoff Allan

Huge thanks to the following photographers and content creators who make all of this possible!

▶︎Andi Ashtorak - Starbase Simulator:

📷Benedikt 3D - Water Deluge Renders

▶︎Cosmic Perspective
📷Greg Scott - Kennedy Space Center Photographer

📷 Kevin Randolph - for WAI Media

▶︎ LabPadre - 24/7 Starbase Livestreams

▶︎ NASASpaceflight

▶︎ Nick Henning Lunar Starship Simulation

▶︎ RGVAerialPhotography - Starbase Weekly Livestreams

▶︎ Ryan Hansen Space - CSI 3D Forensics Agent

Spaceflight Now - 24/7 KSC Livestream

📷 Starship Gazer - Starbase Photographer

Trevor Mahlmann - Booster TVC Test & Starship Launch Footage

▶︎ Tim Dodd - "The Everyday Astronaut"

Anthony Gomez - Rocket Ranch

Chrome Kiwi - Water Cooled Deck Plate Conceptual Render

Ricardo G - Staship Launch From Matamoros Mexico

Last but not least I want to give HUGE SHOUTOUT to the entire CSI Starbase team on discord. This dedicated team of 100+ agents with specialties ranging all across the board, has been crucial in getting the most accurate info for these episodes. Couldn't do it without yal!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
5:16 Raptor Chill Collection
9:06 Squarespace Ad Placement
10:09 Hold Down Clamps Released Early
11:37 Detonation Suppression System
13:07 Acoustic Energy Concerns
14:52 Blast Surface Failure Analysis
17:06 Analyzing OLM Base Structure Design Flaw
24:23 Elon Comments About Failure Mechanics
25:37 Explaining Sand Compression Issue
27:47 Water Cooled Blast Surface Upgrade
33:54 Hold Down Clamp Shielding
36:07 Raptor Quick Disconnect Shielding
38:44 Hold Down Clamp Retract Test feat. Labpadre
39:40 Booster QD Shielding
41:21 Interior Burn Plates
43:49 OLM Top Deck Burn Plates
50:36 Post Liftoff Performance Analysis

Music Credits:

27:45 “Shooting Star” VOTRB

[stevecoates]

Anxiously awaiting this debrief, I regard these shows as most educational and are highly valued. Thanks to Zack and the CSI team of “agents”. Kudos!

[Superkuh]

The internet does not deserve the level of detail CSI Starbase and friends provide. This is the best source for information about starship.

[chraffis]

This dude deserves WAY MORE SUBSCRIBERS!!!! 🙄 Elon needs to agree to an interview to boost his visibility. Not to mention it would be jam packed full of so much insightful questions and nerdy, technical awesomeness. Please Universe, allow this.

[astrohoff]

This answered so many questions that have been burning in my head since the launch. CSI Starbase team is legendary, I'm so thankful for y'all.

[samdcbu]

I really appreciated the custom countdown for the premiere. CSI Starbase is truly in a league of it's own

[fluciano]

Considering the damage to the OLM this was the most anticipated report since the launch. Thanks again for your usual outstanding and complete analysis of the event.

[shmuelrosenthal]

Incredible content, good sir. I can't believe this is all free to watch. What a time to be alive.

[georgionaoum]

What an incredible episode. As an ex-Rockedyne engineer I can say only one thing ... Complexity is the mother of all trouble. There has to be a better way to launch the vehicle.
Let's not forget the return trip back to Earth.

[Wdbx]

Zach, thank you for the very articulate and methodical analysis. - it was excellent using factual info. This comes from an aerospace engineer who troubleshoots on-orbit spacecraft as my day job.

[grumpygreg]

Zack, that was sooo good. Pulled together elements into a really well structured deep dive. I can't thank you and your crew enough!

[AlienVibesss]

Another amazing deep dive, Zack! It's always a HUGE pleasure to experience these. You've come a long way from those long twitter threads! I always leave the premiere with a ton more knowledge than I came to it with. Then I give you a few more views by rewatching them later on so I can fully absorb and understand everything you said. Keep these long deep dives coming. As long as you post, I'll always be here to watch it the second it goes live.

[kentslocum]

I really appreciate the moments of levity and genuine hilarity that your team injected into this video. It was the perfect balance of serious discussion and lighthearted humor.

[LaughingOrange]

This is by far my favorite channel for GSE analysis and speculation.

[mercerconsulting]

As always, I can't get enough of this great, detailed content. Thanks again for sharing.

[refurbansuburban]

Extraordinarily well done. Thanks, Zack!

[flyfun]

Amazing, comprehensive, and well-supported second by second analysis of the launch sequence and how, and why, the OLM works the way it does. Thanks for all the hard work put into this amazing video.

[binjahmon]

Amazing episode! Thank you for all the hard work you put into this!

[uritamminga]

A lot of YouTube content I just listen to at 1.5 speed while I drive. The problem with your content is I can’t do that! I absolutely have to find time when I can carefully watch each detail at true speed. Thanks so much for your work and perspective! Awesome stuff!

[brentalt]

Excellent, the hard work you and your team have put in is evident. Packed with insights that are a great help in understanding just how much amazing engineering is going on here. Keep it coming!

[sammymiami]

I was eagerly awaiting this video since the launch! You did not disappoint! The coverage on the engine failure was very detailed and appreciated! Keep up the amazing work!