SpaceX solves Starship’s biggest heat shield challenge, Elon Musk says

Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX has solved Starship’s most persistent heat shield issue: the reliability of its roughly 18,000 hexagonal ceramic tiles. These tiles protect the stainless steel structure during atmospheric reentry, enduring temperatures of several thousand degrees Celsius and plasma flows. On Flight 13, Ship 40 faced higher dynamic pressures and performed a controlled reentry, with most tiles remaining intact and only minor damage. Data and visual inspections indicate that technical barriers to rapid reuse have been cleared, although further improvements will continue.

• Starship’s heat shield has about 18,000 hexagonal ceramic tiles
• Flight 13 showed majority tile retention under elevated dynamic pressure

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