SpaceX recently achieved a significant milestone in its Starship program by successfully landing the Starship's Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the unconventional landing location, Greg Autry, the Associate Provost for Space at the University of Central Florida, expressed positive sentiments about the operation.
Autry noted that the landing appeared to be smooth and without any major anomalies, indicating that the overall test was successful. He speculated that the decision to land the booster in the sea may have been a precautionary measure, especially considering the presence of President-elect Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at the test launch site in Texas.
According to Autry, the booster that touched down in the Gulf of Mexico will not be reusable due to its exposure to saltwater. This limitation underscores the importance of landing the boosters on solid ground for future reuse.
Autry, who is rumored to be a candidate for Trump's NASA Administrator pick, remains a key figure in the space industry. The Trump campaign has indicated that decisions regarding appointments for the upcoming administration will be announced by the President-elect himself.
