Starlink has not only introduced new ideas into the manufacturing process but has also led to new ideas around data ingestion and storage. “When you try something new for the first time, like you change a fundamental configuration of the rocket, it’s important to be able to analyze that data,” says Sepanloo. SpaceX has helped pioneer the idea of reusable rockets, which makes data on flight performance especially interesting. The second stage is discarded after use, but the booster (first stage) and fairings are reusable. “Our vehicles are not expendable. We’ve now flown one booster nine times, a milestone for us. Data as a function of increasing flight rate is very important to understanding the hardware.” 

Even operations that are in developmental testing provide critical data. “When Starship SN15 had a hard (and exciting!) landing, people assumed we would be unhappy, but we were celebrating,” says Madonia. “We did so many successful maneuvers and we were able to gather a ton of valuable data to improve our next attempt.”