agreed, high water table is an issue, so leave it filled with water and
drain it when launch is imminent, or let 4000 psi create a directed wall of
water at ignition...;o))
or build it on the surface, as has been done elsewhere. Maybe the
Saturn 1B deflector is available. It sat under the launch table,on the
surface, I believe. Probably too small though.
With Raptor II - an immense number of engines have been built, tested,
improved and some blown up. I think it's reliability far exceeds what
might be guessed from this flight, with so many engines out. 10% at launch,
25% in flight, and more failing after max Q but before separation.
Damage during ignition and pre-liftoff firing is to blame, I think, whether
from flying junk or from incredible reflected/constrained acoustic
radiative and pressure energy.
They brought in a massive amount of fill, and carefully compacted to
stabilize the starbase site. Maybe its time for more.
The launch tower is a stacked structure. It may be fairly easy to add a few
sections without major redesign.
Anyone hear about the survival of starship heat shield tiles through launch
and max Q rigors? It seems that may have been another successful aspect of
the test flight.
Also interesting that the next ship will have electric, not hydraulic
gymbal actuators.