Experts warn current Starship heat shield tech is a "dead end" for rapid reuse

SpaceX's Starship achieved its thirteenth test flight on Friday, marking progress toward the rocket's orbital goal. Ars Technica reports that as soon as the next launch, Starship could deliver satellites into orbit and potentially be caught by the launch tower upon return. But one key technical challenge persists: the roughly eighteen thousand ceramic tiles protecting the vehicle's underbelly during its fiery return through Earth's atmosphere. According to experts, the current heat shield design may not support the frequent, low-cost reuse that Starship ultimately requires.

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