Overly Trev(@OverlyTrev):NASA experts with decades of experience with heat shields: Starship’s heat shield is a dead end. Elon on the heat shield for Starship in the Q2 earnings call: “I don't want to jinx it or anything, but I think I would call the heat shield problem solved at this point. All indications from data and visual inspection are we have solved it. That doesn't mean we won't make improvements, but we do not see any technical obstacles to achieving rapid reusability at this point.” After a ship catch they will thoroughly inspect it, refurbish as needed, and work on fixes to prevent those issues in the future.

2026.08.04 23:22

NASA experts with decades of experience with heat shields: Starship’s heat shield is a dead end. Elon on the heat shield for Starship in the Q2 earnings call: “I don't want to jinx it or anything, but I think I would call the heat shield problem solved at this point. All indications from data and visual inspection are we have solved it. That doesn't mean we won't make improvements, but we do not see any technical obstacles to achieving rapid reusability at this point.” After a ship catch they will thoroughly inspect it, refurbish as needed, and work on fixes to prevent those issues in the future.