{"id":23564,"date":"2026-03-18T21:59:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/booster-19-concludes-initial-test-campaign-on-pad-2\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T21:59:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:59:33","slug":"booster-19-concludes-initial-test-campaign-on-pad-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/booster-19-concludes-initial-test-campaign-on-pad-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Booster 19 concludes initial test campaign on Pad 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Starship Flight 12 took another step toward launch, with Booster 19 completing an initial test campaign on the newly commissioned Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Culminating in a short Static Fire test, the series of tests was a first for Pad 2, the Block 3\/V3 Super Heavy Booster, and for the upgraded Raptor 3 outside of single engine testing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"First Starship Static Fire on Pad 2? Booster 19 Testing Explained | Starship Update\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oZTjtwIilbc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"widget-title penci-border-arrow\">See Also<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>SpaceX Starship Program<\/li>\n<li>L2 SpaceX Section<\/li>\n<li>NSF Store<\/li>\n<li>Click here to Join L2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As the inaugural vehicle to undergo operations on this pad, B19\u2019s campaign served as both a booster qualification test and a commissioning milestone for the expanded launch infrastructure, paving the way for a long-awaited static fire test of its Raptor 3 engines.<\/p>\n<p>The testing sequence began shortly after Booster 19 was secured on the orbital launch mount (OLM) at Pad 2. On the first day, crews completed final preparations, including clearing foreign object debris (FOD) from the OLM top deck to safeguard the vehicle and ground support equipment (GSE).<\/p>\n<p>The chopsticks released the booster, allowing it to stand independently \u2014 a key demonstration of stability on the new pad. As the arms retracted to a launch configuration, the booster\u2019s methane tank vented at the top, maintaining positive pressure essential for structural rigidity during cryogenic operations.<\/p>\n<p>Pad 2 features significant upgrades over Pad 1, most notably dual booster quick disconnects (BQDs): one dedicated to liquid methane (LCH4) and another to liquid oxygen (LOX). This separation enables independent tank pressurization and more efficient loading, reducing risks associated with mixed propellants.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112469\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2007\" height=\"1129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075.jpg 2007w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075-350x197.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075-622x350.jpg 622w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-51-09-075-1170x658.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2007px) 100vw, 2007px\">The new tank farm supported these efforts, chilling down and delivering subcooled propellants. Pumps moved fluids through subcoolers bathed in liquid nitrogen, with visible exhaust plumes signaling active cooling. Excess methane is recondensed rather than vented or flared, reflecting improved environmental and safety practices.<\/p>\n<p>Aerospace industry analysis<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>NASA educational resources<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>NASA mission patches<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>During the initial cryogenic test, both LOX and LCH4 tanks vented to create headspace before loading commenced.<\/p>\n<p>Frost lines emerged first on the LOX tank, followed by the methane tank \u2014 though the latter\u2019s appearance belies substantial propellant volume already aboard via an internal transfer tube in the LOX tank, capable of holding around 120 metric tons of methane (about 15% of the booster\u2019s total ~800-ton methane capacity).<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 250px; height: 401px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2034338772330913868&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fbooster-19-initial-test-pad-2%2F&amp;sessionId=6a346db95a15bcf900c27cf551ccdd76940f5e7c&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"2034338772330913868\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The LOX tank filled nearly to capacity, while methane reached approximately the top of the first two rings. With propellants loaded, SpaceX activated the detonation suppression system (DSS) \u2014 inerting potential hazardous gases beneath the OLM \u2014 followed by the flame diverter deluge.<\/p>\n<p>This simulated a static fire sequence without engine ignition, validating GSE response, pad infrastructure, and booster behavior under cryogenic conditions. Post-test, both tanks were slowly detanked, concluding Day 1. A mysterious pipe over the OLM top deck vented afterward, its function remaining unclear.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Booster 19 picks right back up with testing&quot;  | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ko_3wiYYcZ4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The second day of testing occurred during evening hours, providing dramatic visuals as the sun set. Propellant loading reached similar levels to the prior test. Venting from the service structure points indicated completion.<\/p>\n<p>The DSS fired once more, but no deluge or visible engine activity followed. White clouds rising from the flame trench suggested a spin prime test \u2014 where turbopumps spin up without full ignition to verify propellant flow, valve operation, and engine health.<\/p>\n<p>Limited visibility in darkness made it challenging to confirm whether all 10 installed Raptor 3 engines participated, but the activity marked the first engine-related test on Pad 2.<\/p>\n<p>The new tank farm\u2019s efficiency shone through: LOX loading completed rapidly, with reports of the LOX tank filling in about 25-30 minutes \u2014 a testament to upgraded pumps, subcoolers, and plumbing. This speed supports SpaceX\u2019s goal of rapid turnaround for reusable vehicles. Post-tanking, lines drained safely, producing characteristic clouds as remnants vented away from the pad to minimize combustion risks.<\/p>\n<p>Following Day 2, expectations mounted for a static fire \u2014 potentially the first with Raptor 3 engines on a Block 3 booster. However, road and beach closures were lifted unexpectedly. The booster transport stand rolled in, chopsticks re-engaged B19, and the vehicle was lifted off the OLM.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112464\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084-350x194.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084-768x425.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084-1920x1063.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-41-35-084-1170x648.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">Crews inspected a Starlink antenna on one of the chines and performed work in the engine bay, raising speculation of a minor issue or preparatory access needs. Pad 2 lacks a mobile \u201cdance floor\u201d work platform (unlike Pad 1), necessitating removal for detailed aft-section access.<\/p>\n<p>Reassuringly, no immediate rollback to Megabay 1 occurred. After roughly 26 hours off the mount \u2014 during which overnight inspections took place \u2014 B19 was lifted back onto the OLM. Workers appeared satisfied, and new testing road closures appeared for March 15-18, 2026, with backups indicating imminent resumption.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112465\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139-626x350.jpg 626w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139-1920x1073.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-40-41-139-1170x654.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">With the campaign already validating key Pad 2 systems: rapid cryogenic loading, dual BQDs, DSS and deluge activation, and spin prime capability with Raptor 3 hardware, the next milestone was to fire up the Raptors.<\/p>\n<p>That was hoped for on Test Day 3. However, following another successful propellant load and the DSS firing up, a flash was observed, pointing to an igniter test.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Sparks from Booster 19 (is fire next?) | SpaceX Starbase\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RyW6t7uiIHY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid2\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The vehicle was then detanked ahead of the road reopening, but with the assurance that all required testing ahead of a static fire had been concluded.<\/p>\n<p>This was proven on the fourth day of testing, when the vehicle once again propellant-loaded without issue\u2014again demonstrating excellent performance from Pad 2\u2014before the deluge system fired up and engine ignition occurred, with thrust finally directed through the flame trench.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-2\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 250px; height: 381px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-2&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2033615436974112861&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fbooster-19-initial-test-pad-2%2F&amp;sessionId=6a346db95a15bcf900c27cf551ccdd76940f5e7c&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"2033615436974112861\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The burn was short-lived, lasting about one second in total\u2014less than originally expected\u2014but the vehicle was safely detanked again.<\/p>\n<p>With future test windows removed and replaced by a road closure for rollback, the transport stand moved into place, and Booster 19 was removed from the OLM.No issues with the vehicle were reported, with the hope that the days of testing on Pad 2 had achieved the main objectives outlined by SpaceX. This was then confirmed in the customary X posts, which also explained the shorter-than-expected static fire.<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-3\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 250px; height: 725px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-3&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2034274962811298098&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fbooster-19-initial-test-pad-2%2F&amp;sessionId=6a346db95a15bcf900c27cf551ccdd76940f5e7c&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"2034274962811298098\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>What is likely a minor ground issue\u2014such as insufficient water pressure in the deluge system\u2014will still be classed as a win for SpaceX, marking a successful test campaign filled with many firsts for the next generation of Starship launch operations at Starbase.<\/p>\n<p>With Booster 19 now rolled back to Mega Bay 1, additional engine installation is expected over the next few weeks, with the testing focus likely shifting to Ship 39.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-112463\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651-626x350.jpg 626w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651-1920x1073.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NSF-2026-03-18-18-37-38-651-1170x654.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">The ship is expected to head out to Massey\u2019s with its six engines installed for its own static fire test\u2014the final major milestone for Booster 19\u2019s partner ahead of launch.<\/p>\n<p>Booster 19 still needs to undergo a full 33-engine static fire on Pad 2 before both vehicles are prepared to meet up at the launch site for Flight 12, which is likely no earlier than the second half of April if all testing proceeds to plan.<\/p>\n<p><em>Featured Image: Booster 19 on Pad 2 \u2013 via Gage for NSF.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starship Flight 12 took another step toward launch, with Booster 19 completing an initial test campaign on the newly commissioned Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Culminating in a short Static Fire test, the series of tests was a first for Pad 2, the Block 3\/V3 Super Heavy Booster, and for the upgraded Raptor 3 outside [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[732,752,7773,7872,739,317],"class_list":["post-23564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-booster-19","tag-flight-12","tag-pad-2","tag-raptor-3","tag-starbase","tag-starship"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23564"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23564\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}