SpaceX
Starbase Pad 2 enters action mode with first Water Deluge Test
On February 16, 2026, SpaceX achieved a big milestone at Starbase, Texas, with the first full-scale activation of the water deluge system on Orbital Launch Pad 2. Observers shared footage across X (formerly Twitter) showed massive jets of water erupting skyward in a thunderous display, far exceeding expectations in intensity and height.
The test included the water-cooled steel top deck on the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM), marking a complete validation of the system’s core components. On the other hand, teams confirmed no issues during the high-volume flood.
This breakthrough comes after months of incremental testing, including detonation suppression system checks and partial deluge runs in late 2025 and early 2026. The timing signals Pad 2’s rapid approach to operational readiness, positioning it as Starbase’s next-generation launch platform.
Pad 2, often called the “second orbital pad” or “Pad B,” was designed from the outset to incorporate lessons from early Starship flights. The original Pad A (or Pad 1) suffered significant concrete damage during the program’s initial unmitigated launches in 2023, prompting a retrofit deluge installation ahead of later tests.
The full Pad-2 Deluge system has been activated for the first time. That’s insane! pic.twitter.com/zasYzwHuvq
— Avid Space (@LabPadre) February 16, 2026
In contrast, Pad 2 features an integrated, advanced deluge with a robust water-cooled OLM deck and enhanced flame deflection, aimed at supporting higher launch cadences and more powerful vehicle variants, including Version 3 Starships.
Meanwhile, the legacy Pad A is undergoing extensive upgrades, with recent activities involving demolition of old OLM legs, expansion work, and new flame trench installations. While not fully retired, these modifications suggest a shift in focus, allowing the older pad to evolve for specialized testing or next-gen Block 3+ configurations as primary operations transition.
With the deluge now proven, Pad 2 is primed for imminent static fire campaigns and orbital attempts for the Super Heavy Booster 19, and it will soon be available for launch with Flight 12.
(source)