SpaceX's Remarkable Full-Pressure Tests, ready to Launch Next-Gen Starship and…

SpaceX's Remarkable Full-Pressure Tests, ready to Launch Next-Gen Starship and…
===
00:00: Intro
00:45: Pad-2’s tests
05:37: Ship catching task
08:01: Pad-2’s role for the future
===
#greatspacex #elonmusk #spacex #nasa #starship
==
Advertisers who want to place ads on our channel, please contact the email manager: [email protected]
===
SpaceX Starship SN
Be the first to sponsor us Thank you.
https://www.patreon.com/GreatspaceX?fan_landing=true
===
SpaceX's Remarkable Full-Pressure Tests, ready to Launch Next-Gen Starship and…
This is Pad-2, the brand-new Starship launch pad.
Just two years ago, this site was nothing more than an empty stretch of land with a small test stand. A year ago, the only structure here was a Chopsticks stack.
Now, from that very same spot, a massive launch pad has risen. Pad-2 has already completed several major tests, each designed to prove its readiness for service. With this progress, it is set to play a crucial role in ushering in a new era of change for Starship and the future of space exploration.
So, how far have preparations for Pad-2 come?
Let us find out together on today’s episode of Great SpaceX.
SpaceX's Remarkable Full-Pressure Tests, ready to Launch Next-Gen Starship and…
We are now in the second half of 2025, which means SpaceX is only a few months away from officially entering the V3 era of Starship, provided everything stays on schedule. The V3 version of Starship promises significant upgrades in design, capability, and performance. But for a new generation of rockets to succeed, the launch infrastructure must also evolve. That is where Pad 2 comes in.
Construction on Pad 2 began in 2024, and in just over a year, the transformation has been remarkable. What started as a bare area has now grown into a massive, fully equipped launch pad with advanced systems. Every major component has been improved compared to Pad 1, including the Orbital Launch Mount, the water deluge system, the protective systems, and even the iconic Chopsticks. Together, these enhancements are designed to handle the power of Starship V3 and its new Raptor 3 engines.
During the same period that SpaceX was carrying out tests for Flight 11, Pad 2 also began its own series of critical trials. One of the most important was the activation of its new water deluge system. The first test took place on September 13, with a modest spray of water from the flame trench system. This was only the beginning. More powerful tests followed on September 18, September 19, twice on September 22, and twice again on September 24.
SpaceX's Remarkable Full-Pressure Tests, ready to Launch Next-Gen Starship and…
In these tests, water was discharged at both ends of the flame trench, with each spray lasting around 30 to 40 seconds. In total, nearly 400,000 gallons of water were released. To put this in perspective, the burn duration of a rocket during liftoff is shorter than these tests. That means the deluge system not only met expectations but also demonstrated more capacity than required. This level of performance will be essential when Pad 2 supports the incredible 9,000 tons of thrust generated by 33 Raptor 3 engines firing simultaneously.
The flame trench itself is a defining feature of Pad 2. It has a history in rocketry, with similar systems used on NASA’s pads decades ago, but SpaceX has taken the concept further. Unlike Pad 1, which relied on a water-cooled steel plate directly exposed to the force of launch, Pad 2 incorporates two flame buckets that double the system’s working capacity. These trenches are built from networks of small pipes that release high volumes of water, cooling and dispersing the energy of launch. Their tilted design diverts the exhaust plume away from critical structures, protecting the pad from the immense pressure and heat.

----
We use images and content in accordance with the YouTube Fair Use copyright guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/intl/en/about/copyright/fair-use/
Any questions about copyright please send us via Gmail: [email protected]
To be resolved, thank you.