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Alternative landing methods: He suggested using grid fins and fuselage lifting surfaces for better cross-range capabilities, contrasting this with horizontal landings that require more engines and tanks, adding weight and complexity.
Thermal considerations during reentry: The peak temperatures experienced by boosters are much lower during descent than during reentry for ships like Starship, which can survive atmospheric reentry with minimal burns.
Musk’s closing words captured his skepticism, “Prove me wrong,” emphasizing that the challenges of making a fully reusable orbital rocket remain formidable.