SpaceX has successfully completed its ninth test flight for the Starship rocket, despite two parts of the vehicle being lost before finishing their missions. The first stage and upper stage were destroyed during the flight, but engineers say that the data from the test is valuable and that they are already making progress on fixing issues.
This approach to development is unlike any other rocket company. Instead of meticulously crafting each part and then testing it, SpaceX’s engineers deliberately scrap completed versions of the rocket before launch. This allows them to test hundreds of tiny changes, refinements, and new features in a fast and cost-effective way.
The Starship program has already demonstrated the potential for reuse of an orbit-capable rocket system. With its smaller Falcon 9 rockets, SpaceX has successfully reused them multiple times, and now with the giant Booster 14, they have achieved significant progress.
SpaceX’s aggressive approach is paying off despite criticism from some quarters. The company’s plan to make incremental fixes day by day and launch another version of the rocket if it fails has proved effective. This mindset is an example for any other company looking to disrupt an entire industry.
The serial number for the lost upper stage was 35, giving context to the scale of the project. In contrast, rival companies like NASA’s SLS and Blue Origin’s New Glenn have taken much longer to develop and test their rockets. SpaceX’s focus on reuse and incremental improvement is setting a new standard for the industry.
With multiple setbacks on the Starship program, it was easy to dismiss the flight as a failure. However, engineers are already making progress on fixing issues, and the data from the test will be invaluable in the future development of the rocket.
Source: https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/why-everyones-wrong-about-spacexs-starship-rocket-and-musk-is-probably-right/91195626