Spacex is going to splash Starship SN20 in water instead of propulsive landing.
Surely, the idea of a spacecraft landing in water instead of attempting to safely land as envisioned by SpaceX seems strange but there was much deliberation that went into making that decision.
Clearly, SpaceX has been experiencing numerous road bumps on the way to building a spaceship fully capable of reaching orbit and then safely landing back down.
Further analysis of the flight plan filed to the FCC by SpaceX reveals that the Starship prototype will be re-entering the earth from orbit at an angle.
This flight plan also poses a different challenge however, as the rocket’s re-entry into the atmosphere at the very high orbital speed can risk the lives of people and property damage if attempted over land.
A new thermal protection system is one of the things SpaceX has put on the SN20 so they are right to worry about potential disasters similar to it, especially since the prototype was built so quickly.
This is another powerful motivator for the plan to land the ship in the water as an intact Starship vehicle will provide priceless information for SpaceX engineers and scientists.
All the information can then be used to make the next prototype a resounding success in exactly the way they want; safely landing back on to the launch pad without any other issues or problems.
While it is not explicitly stated yet, it is very possible that the Super Heavy booster prototype that will take SN20 into space will also attempt to land safely on one of the seaborne landing pads.
A recovered intact booster will similarly be of immense help and advantage in helping SpaceX make fast progress in eventually completing the design of the Starship and take it beyond the prototype stage.
In summary, SpaceX has chosen to land the Starship into the water because their estimations have led them to keep in mind major problems with the landing phase and thus they want to reduce the potential of damage caused to others.
Since the viability of the Super Heavy booster being capable of satisfactorily descending for a safe landing has also increased greatly, SpaceX seems to want to aim for a double success with the booster and the Starship for the next launch or two after this one.
If all goes well, SpaceX will complete their most important spacecraft flight tests ever and that too, in very quick succession between prototypes.
Do you think it makes sense that sn20 will be landing in the water?
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