Sloping tower
The SpaceX SN8 Starship prototype may have soared into a massive fireball after an otherwise strong display during the spacecraft’s first high-altitude test flight last week – but the space company isn’t about to slow down.
However, another setback seems to have come for the next prototype, dubbed SN9. The colossal 165-foot stainless-steel spacecraft appeared to have fallen into disarray over the weekend and fell on its side in the Texas assembly building in which it was stored, as Teslarati reports.
Unfortunately, Starship SN9 is leaning into the high bay. @Elon Musk will it come out right away?@NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/MUJD0piJwt
– Mary (@BocaChicaGal) December 11, 2020
To hold
Photos show the massive structure leaning on its side, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, with the sides of the industrial building holding it upright. The aerodynamic side flaps seem to have been the victim of the fall, Teslarati points out.
Fortunately, SN9 is in good hands. A video uploaded by NASASpaceflight show a huge crane stabilizing the prototype.
SpaceX originally planned to roll out SN9 on the launch pad today, but the accident appears to have delayed those plans.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has not yet commented on the accident.
READ MORE: SpaceX is about to drop the completed Starship prototype, but it could be salvageable [Teslarati]
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