During a high-volume deluge test on the new Orbital Launch Pad 2 one of the methalox gas generators that supplies high-pressure nitrogen for the deluge system exploded. The explosion sent roof panels and debris flying.
There was the target launch of May 12 for the 12th SpaceX Starship flight. This could be delayed by 1-2 weeks.
UPDATE: May 7, 2026 Full 33 engine booster static fire. Only 2-3 delay on static fire. May 15 is target date for launch.
Upon further review… what was THAT?!?! Yikes! pic.twitter.com/CROE5es0bR
— MattZ (@wvmattz) May 3, 2026
No major structural damage to the pad itself or the flame trench appears to have occurred. It was isolated to the gas generator and some overhead cover and roofing.
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Why did they move away from the compressed nitrogen water-pressurization system?
They needed more pressure as the new deluge cosumes much more water to be able to suppress the increased power of the V3 booster. Since the water deluge system also has much larger and more plentiful water tanks attached, much more gas is also required to maintain a constant pressure in the water tanks and lines due to Boyle’s Law, which dictates that more gas is needed to increase the pressure of a larger volume. The Gay-Lussac’s Law also comes into play as when pressure decreases the temperature will drop as well, so the gas generators are needed to make sure that the water doesn’t freeze and that the nitrogen doesn’t become denser.