With Starship, SpaceX encounters an obstacle that haunted NASA’s space shuttles

The news article discusses the challenges SpaceX is facing with its Starship project, which are reminiscent of the issues that plagued NASA's space shuttle program. The article highlights the difficulty in developing a reusable launch system, a goal that has long eluded the space industry. SpaceX's Starship, a fully reusable spacecraft, has encountered unexpected obstacles during its development, including persistent engine issues and delays in securing launch licenses. These challenges mirror the technical and regulatory hurdles that NASA's space shuttles faced, leading to a sense of déjà vu in the space community. The article suggests that while SpaceX's ambition and innovation are lauded, the company is encountering the same fundamental problems that have hindered the progress of reusable launch systems in the past. This serves as a reminder that developing and maintaining a reliable, cost-effective, and safe reusable spacecraft is an immense engineering challenge that even the most innovative companies must overcome.