The world-famous aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, confirms facing a "tough problem" on its stainless steel spacecraft's moving flaps, SN8 Starship, according to Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk. SpaceX is in a "tight spot" because of the flaps whose flaps do not respond well to the body design.
Elon Musk admits that the promising spacecraft, SN8, is facing significant problems that are needing a solution within the company. The SN8 Starship from SpaceX gained recognition after its brilliant design of using stainless steel for its spacecraft body, bound to withstand massive force.
The SN8 Starship's body is bound to take a beating and was explicitly designed for that. Stainless steel is one of the most malleable components; however, its only major flaw is its weight. Elon Musk chose this specific steel for the SN8's body for its ability to withstand considerable forces and its silver-polished color that makes it an astounding sight to see.
According to a federal listing and Elon Musk's hints last month, the SN8 Starship would soon be making its initial 60,000 feet test launch on October 11. Back then, Elon Musk was only hinting of the spacecraft's design, particularly its steel and sleek body, along with the nose flaps.
The SN8 Starship is still believed to be the space vehicle that will revolutionize the industry for its awe-strucking design and make. However, SpaceX and Elon Musk must think of a way to immediately solve this problem, especially when its test flight will be launching soon.
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Elon Musk: Tiles are 'Too Hot'
A tweet is all it takes for Elon Musk to give news, reveal details, and talk about the multiple companies' innovations under his sleeves. The CEO is famously known to talk about Tesla, Starlink, and SpaceX's progress and achievements.
Twitter user Neopork (@Neopork85) showed the world his render of the famed SN8 Starship with its heat-tile design, covering the stainless body with a "honeycomb-looking" wrappings around its body. The render of the artist asked CEO Elon Musk about the exposed side flaps that say it "didn't work well."
Tiles will be on hot side of flaps too. A very tough problem is sealing the moving flap to body joint without melting or shredding the seal. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 9, 2020
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) then responded to the artist, saying that despite the heat tile covers, it will still prove hot for the side flaps. The CEO then proceeded to share that the company is facing a problem to seal the moving flaps entirely on the Starship's body.
The heat of either launch or re-entry of the spacecraft will melt or shred the seal that protects the side flaps and attaching it to its body.
SN8 Starship's Design: Is it a Flaw?
SpaceX and Elon Musk widely-praised and boasted about the SN8 Starship design to be revolutionary and extraordinary. This spacecraft sets it apart from all the others using aluminum and titanium designs, all focused on shedding weight.
SpaceX's stainless steel body's bold move for the SN8 would still be promising, given the company fixes the major design problem. The SN8's moving flaps are also essential to the body as it will control the trajectory of the re-entry of the ship to the planet.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Isaiah Alonzo
