By Tom Clarke, science and technology editor
Space X test flights are always worth a watch.
In the early days, it was for the spectacular multi-million-dollar explosions as Elon Musk drove his engineers to “fail fast” in developing reusable rockets.
More recently, for the significant, sometimes breathtaking advances in spaceflight – like last month’s “catching” of the largest-ever rocket in giant mechanical chopsticks.
But this time it’s about who is watching and what the partnership between President-elect Trump and Elon Musk might mean for the future of spaceflight – and much else besides.
This launch – assuming it all goes to plan – is another step closer to Musk’s dream of a lower-cost, reusable mega-rocket.
Also, a shining example of the kind of efficiency and cost-saving both men say will happen across the US government once Mr Trump is in the Whitehouse and Mr Musk is leading his department of government efficiency.
Ripe for the chop might be other rocket contracts like NASA’s Space Launch System consortium, which is supposed to be taking US astronauts back to the moon.
That would certainly favour Musk’s business – as would clipping the regulatory wings of aviation, environmental and safety regulators that his new job may empower him to do.
It’s unlikely, after all, that Elon Musk backed Trump so tirelessly without expecting something in return.
The big question, however, and one a noisy rocket test is unlikely to answer, is how much further both of their ambitions extend.
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