SpaceX launch cancelled: Why didn't Elon Musk's Starship blast off?
New ScientistMAY 2023
The Spin
Narrative A
This was an amazing accomplishment by SpaceX, even with the explosion. No one was expecting perfection this time around, but the company’s plans are still on track. With numerous Starship vehicles in production, we could see another test flight soon, and in a few years, we might see manned flights. If anyone’s going to get humans to Mars, it’s Musk and SpaceX.
Narrative B
This launch might be a cause to celebrate, but it’s also a reason not to rush to the next launch without first assessing what went wrong and what needs to be done to continue to assure public safety is protected. That might even mean some form of federal regulation of commercial spaceflight programs.