More importantly, SpaceX finally narrowed down the nosecone-to-be for the first high-altitude Starship prototype.
Prior to moving the nose with flaps into the windbreak, SpaceX moved an older prototype – the first nose assembly to reach full height – over to Starships SN5 and SN6, fate unknown.
Barring a major anomaly during Starship SN8’s imminent triple-Raptor static fire test campaign, a first for both Starship and the engine family, the prototype will likely be the new nosecone’s recipient.
Elon Musk says that SpaceX will install SN8’s nosecone only after the Starship has completed one or more static fire tests with three Raptor engines.