SpaceX has released a new documentary film detailing the evolution of the Starship program. The film contrasts the company's early Falcon 9 experimental landings with current efforts to achieve rapid and full reusability of its launch vehicles.
A significant portion of the footage focuses on the recovery of the Starship Ship 40 prototype from the Indian Ocean. The documentary also provides a look at the production of thermal protection tiles at a facility internally referred to as the bakery.
Engineers are testing these heat shields to withstand atmospheric reentry at speeds reaching approximately Mach 25. The company emphasizes that a fully reusable rocket system will fundamentally transform space economics by enabling frequent, repeated flights.
The company plans to reuse two thermal tiles recovered from Ship 40 on the upcoming Ship 41 vehicle. This operation will mark the first instance of thermal tile reuse on the Starship platform.
