A massive explosion of water was seen on the SpaceX launch base as Elon Musk prepares for the next ambitious test flight of the Starship Super Heavy rocket.
SpaceX successfully executed a full-duration water deluge system test at its Starbase Orbital Launch Pad 2 in Boca Chica, Texas, paving the way for the Starship Flight 12 launch targeted for March 2026.
The test, conducted recently, followed Detonation Suppression System checks and featured massive water columns erupting from the flame trench beneath the launch mount at full strength.
WATCH SPACEX WATER DELUGE TEST HERE
Videos captured the high-pressure spray lasting the planned duration, simulating conditions for the Super Heavy booster’s 33 Raptor engines firing.
This upgrade protects the pad from the extreme heat, acoustics, and thrust, nearly 17 million pounds, that damaged Pad 1 during earlier flights.
The test supports Booster 19, now in cryogenic proof testing after rapid stacking, for Starship V3’s maiden suborbital flight from Pad 2. Flight 12 aims to validate Block 3 hardware post-2025’s five tests, with no spacecraft payload announced.
SpaceX eyes higher cadence in 2026, potentially shifting operations amid Florida barge trials. The Starship stack, shown ascending in a prior test, highlights the rocket’s power driving these pad enhancements.
The deluge, potentially 3,50,000 gallons, ensures safe reusability for Mars ambitions and NASA Artemis contracts. Elon Musk praised prior systems; this full test boosts FAA approval odds for March. Observers note Starfactory production ramps for sustained flights.
WHEN WILL STARSHIP SUPER HEAVY LAUNCH?
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said the next Starship test flight, the 12th overall and the first using the upgraded Version 3 (V3) vehicle, is being targeted for early March 2026.
The update, shared by Musk on X, signals faster-than-expected progress at SpaceX’s Starbase launch site as teams prepare for a mission that could mark an important step toward orbital refuelling demonstrations and future Mars exploration plans.
According to Musk, the tentative launch window depends on the continued integration of Booster 19 and Ship 39, which together will form the first Block 3 Starship stack. This configuration will debut the new Raptor V3 engines, designed to deliver greater thrust and improved efficiency compared with earlier versions.
The upgraded Starship vehicle will also include enhanced heat-shield systems and a slightly stretched structure, allowing it to carry heavier payloads. Among the potential future payloads are next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, which are expected to be significantly larger and more capable than previous models.
If successful, the upcoming flight would represent a major milestone in the rapid evolution of SpaceX’s fully reusable launch system.
