Why Does Starship Belly Flop?

Explore the engineering behind SpaceX's Starship belly flop maneuver in this comprehensive 46-minute video. Dive into the physics of terminal velocity, gravity drag, thrust-to-weight ratios, and engine throttling to understand the rationale behind this unconventional landing technique. Learn about the challenges and benefits of the late flip maneuver, including its impact on fuel efficiency and landing precision. Examine the safety considerations for human passengers and compare this approach to the proven Falcon 9 landing method. Gain insights into SpaceX's innovative problem-solving and the potential future of spacecraft landing technology through detailed explanations and visual aids.

- Intro
- How The Flip Maneuver Works
- Why Belly Flop / Terminal Velocity
- Thrust to Weight Ratios / Engine Throttling
- Gravity Loss / Gravity Drag
- Why Flip So Late
- Can This Be Safe?
- Conclusion