On April 20, SpaceX made a not-so-successful attempt to launch the Starship rocket system. The prototypes of the rocket and ship exploded at an altitude of about 40 km, and the launch platform was badly damaged. To prevent this in the future, the company decided to strengthen the site.

What is known

The launch platform at Starbase was reinforced with water-cooled steel sheet. As part of the tests, it was subjected to the flames of the Raptor engine, which is equipped with a Super Heavy rocket.

SpaceX has released a short video that shows how the flame of the engine burns the steel sheet. Judging by what can be seen in the footage at the end, the plate withstood the effects of fire. But note that the Super Heavy rocket is equipped with more than 33 Raptor engines.

The April launch featured the 24th prototype Starship spacecraft, called Ship 24. This week, SpaceX sent the 25th prototype to the launch pad at Starbase, Ship 25. But it is not a fact that it will be used for the next orbital flight, because The company is developing several prototypes at once.

Source: SpaceX