SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight
SpaceX will likely attempt to catch Starship back at the launch pad on its next flight.
SpaceX has achieved a significant milestone with its 13th full-scale Starship test flight, soaring halfway around the world to an on-target splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This marks a marked improvement over previous attempts, where Starship's water landings often resulted in destructive fires. The vessel's recovery in such pristine condition suggests that the heat shield, comprising over 18,000 ceramic tiles, performed admirably.
These tiles, designed to endure temperatures up to 2,600°F (1,430°C), were thoroughly examined by drones dispatched from SpaceX's facilities. The inspection provided the most detailed view yet of how the shield held up during Starship's atmospheric re-entry following its hour-long journey from the Starbase facility in Texas.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
