Welcome to the latest edition of the Rocket Report! This year has been a mixed bag for SpaceX’s Starship program. There have been some impressive achievements, especially with the Super Heavy booster. SpaceX has gotten quite adept at launching and recovering this massive rocket.
However, Starship itself faced challenges earlier this year, with four prototypes lost in flight and on the ground. But things have improved recently. The last two missions resulted in successful splashdowns in the Indian Ocean. The most recent mission was particularly noteworthy; the Starship returned with minimal damage, indicating that SpaceX’s heat shield enhancements are paying off.
In more exciting news, Hans Koenigsmann, a key figure at SpaceX for nearly two decades, is set to fly on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Koenigsmann, who once ensured the safety of Falcon missions, will join his friend Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, who will make history as the first wheelchair user in space. Benthaus overcame a serious mountain biking accident in 2018, which left her with a spinal cord injury, to pursue her dream.
Koenigsmann expressed confidence in the safety of the flight after discussions with Blue Origin engineers. Mixing experiences from SpaceX with Blue Origin provides a fascinating perspective on collaboration in the space sector. For more insights, check out Eric Berger’s interview with Koenigsmann.
Overall, both SpaceX and Blue Origin are pushing the boundaries of space travel, paving the way for a new era in exploration and accessibility.
