> to fly manned missions, starship either needs to be redesigned to accommodate an escape system, or it needs to show a level of reliability and safety never previously achieved by a rocket.
Falcon rockets don't seem to be exploding on ascent anymore, they're doing 2-3 launches per week now, no explosions in a decade.
Perhaps an escape system could be deployed from the dorsal side of Starship, too.
Given their track record of achieving the impossible, I wouldn't bet against SpaceX as they head towards commercial deployment of Starship.
Falcon rockets don't seem to be exploding on ascent anymore, they're doing 2-3 launches per week now, no explosions in a decade.
Perhaps an escape system could be deployed from the dorsal side of Starship, too.
Given their track record of achieving the impossible, I wouldn't bet against SpaceX as they head towards commercial deployment of Starship.