SpaceX has embarked on the tough task of creating a new fleet of space carriers capable of taking humanity to deep space, to the Moon and perhaps someday to Mars. The new prototype SN10 is ready for launch test, and it looks like Elon Musk is hoping for a proper landing this time.
In the factories of the Californian aerospace company – led by one of the richest and most extravagant men in the world – the construction and assembly of the prototypes of the new “spaceship” known as “Starship“. In recent months we have seen an interesting progress in the works, but one thing has always been missing: a safe landing.
The South African tycoon Elon Musk he repeatedly reiterated that during the flight tests of the SN8 and SN9 prototypes a “textbook landing” was not necessary, as that phase of the return was a non-relevant surplus for the precious data collected during the test. Probably SN10 will also suffer the same fate, but it seems SpaceX is slightly more confident this time around, so much so that he also wanted to paint the typical logo of the “landing site“that we learned about during the multiple successful returns of the Falcon 9 rockets.
We have also often seen them on the return barges known as “Of Course I Still Love You” is “Just Read The Instructions“, and now we see them at Boca Chica, as you can see from the photo at the bottom of the news, captured by the NasaSpaceFlight.com team.
In addition to a simple aesthetic work, some have speculated it may be a clue for the landing of the next prototypes (However, we consider that the SpaceX Boca Chica plants are quite young and under construction, so it could just be a further step for the work in progress, and nothing more).
Whatever the reason, however, it is beyond doubt that things are now getting serious: Starship SN launches are increasingly frequent, and SN10 could take off already this coming week. Will we be able to see a carrier landing? Or will we have to settle for another spectacular explosion? We just have to wait and find out with our eyes!