Stephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
Recent aborted static fire of #Starship booster was apparently a "ground-side issue" (guessing not on the booster itself). And they're going to install the rest of the engines now. #SpaceX
RT https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2034274447830479083
SpaceX (@SpaceX) on X

Initial Super Heavy V3 and Starbase Pad 2 activation campaign complete, wrapping up several days of testing that loaded cryogenic fuel and oxidizer on a V3 vehicle for the first time. While the 10-engine static fire ended early due to a ground-side issue, we saw successful

X (formerly Twitter)
Show threadWolf480plMar 18
@sjb which part of the GSE do you think was at fault here?
Show threadStephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
@wolf480pl Perhaps the blast wave from the engine fire dislodged something on the new pad? (Broke a sensor cable, produced a faulty reading etc.)
Show threadWolf480pl

@sjb I've heard EJ speculate that the deluge system may've had an issue (I imagine sth like not being able to provide enough water for the duration of the static fire).

But your hypothesis sounds more likely.

Mar 18 at 11:13pmWeb
Show threadStephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
@wolf480pl I'm only going on process of elimination: it's less likely to be the tanking system or the deluge etc. because they've tested those already. The new thing is the actual ignition and consequences of that like the pressure wave. ~0.5 seconds is enough for those consequences to be felt at least.
Show threadStephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
@wolf480pl Oh yeah, other factor: the new pad is new. I would not be surprised with problems in the pad.
Show threadWolf480plMar 18

@sjb hmm ok but like, which parts of the pad wouldn't've been tested to a similar level during the tanking tests?

the support arms, hold down clamps, and QDs would be seeing the same kind of load... unless exhaust was recirculating up above the engines, I guess

Show threadStephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
@wolf480pl I'm thinking more transient loads and pressure waves bouncing around the system.
Show threadStephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
@wolf480pl Or literally just a badly soldered connection somewhere in the pad that comes apart when 2 million decibels are fired at it.
Show threadWolf480plMar 18

@sjb hmm ok, but you know what else is new?

The booster.

If the exhaust / pressure waves could knock apart a bad connections in the pad, it could also knock apart a bad connection in the booster.

Show threadStephen Brooks 🦆Mar 18
@wolf480pl SpaceX said "the 10-engine static fire ended early due to a ground-side issue," which I'm assuming means not booster.
Show threadWolf480plMar 18
@sjb oh, right