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Why Spacex’s Next Rocket Test Will (Probably) End in FlamesNext week, Spacex’s latest Starship prototype is going to attempt a test flight t hat CEO Elon Musk says it has only a one in three chance of survival. In all probability, Starship will end up in a fiery grave. While this launch test is crucial to the development of the Starship rocket, its “success†or “failure†is not. Here is what can go wrong and why it may not matter anyway.The Starship rocket is Spacex’s next generation launch vehicle intended to replace the Falcon 9/Falcon Heavy. Starship will be largest rocket ever built, even larger than the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the Moon. Unlike the Saturn V, however, Starship intends to be fully reusable, with both the first and second stages returning to Earth.What is this Test About?The Starship prototype that will be flying next week is the 8th iteration and known as “SN8†or Serial Number 8. SN8 is the upper stage of the full Starship rocket. The upper stage will return from orbit much like the Space Shuttle did, reentering the atmosphere on its side, where the surface area is greatest, with a large heat shield taking the brunt of reentry heat.Unlike the Space Shuttle, however, Starship does not have proper wings or landing gear. Instead, Starship will land vertically using the same engines that propelled it into the heavens. In order to land vertically, however, the craft must reorient itself from falling on its side to falling bottom first….and this will be no easy feat.More at link.
Wind of 30 mph expected on Monday. Backup dates are Tuesday and Wednesday
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