SpaceX engineers have significantly modified the launcher architecture. They relied on technical modifications for greater reliability.
The front flaps were reduced and repositioned towards the end of the vehicle, to limit their exposure to the intense heat of re-entry into the atmosphere. The propulsion system also benefits from a complete overhaul: fuel volume increased by 25%, vacuum insulation of the supply lines and a new fuel delivery system to the Raptor engines optimized for the vacuum of space.
The onboard avionics now include expanded capabilities: more powerful flight computer, antennas combining Starlink, GNSS and backup RF communications functions, redesigned inertial navigation and star tracking sensors. More than 30 high-definition cameras will broadcast flight data live via the Starlink network, with a rate of 120 megabits per second. The heat shield adopts a new generation of tiles and a redundant protective layer.
These improvements say a lot about the ambitions fueled by the SpaceX program and future manned missions to the Moon and Mars. Aiming for the moon doesn't scare Elon Musk.
