Experts are warning that the current Starship heat shield technology is "death" for quick reuse

Images of SpaceX successfully launched his Starship vehicle Friday and appeared to demonstrate the necessary and promising steps toward achieving the rocket’s big promise. As soon as the vehicle takes off for the next trip, the Starship can go into orbit, start sending satellites into space, and return to the launch pad to be ‘caught’ by the platform.

All of this is impressive engineering on a grand scale. But despite the notable progress with the 13th Starship test, one important issue – perhaps and an important issue when it comes to the future of the Starship – remains unresolved.

This has to do with the Starship’s heat shield, about 18,000 ceramic tiles that protect the bottom of the vehicle during a fire in space. And some experts say that SpaceX’s current strategy will not get Starship to its goal of frequent, low-cost flights.

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