In early 2021, SpaceX advanced the development of its Starship program with a series of high-altitude test flights designed to push the boundaries of rapid reusability and deep space travel. Among these prototypes was Starship SN9, a stainless steel test vehicle launched from Boca Chica, Texas on February 2, 2021.

SN9, or Serial Number 9, was the second fully stacked Starship prototype to make flight. Often referred to as “Eileen,” the nickname originated during production after the vehicle developed a noticeable lean, a detail that became part of its identity within the program.

The vehicle ascended to an altitude of approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), completing a successful suborbital flight that lasted 6 minutes and 26 seconds. During descent, SN9 demonstrated the controlled aerodynamic “belly flop” maneuver designed for atmospheric reentry, one of the most critical innovations in Starship’s design.

During the landing sequence, one of the two required Raptor engines failed to reignite. This prevented the vehicle from properly reorienting to a vertical position and reducing its velocity. As a result, SN9 impacted the landing pad at high speed and was destroyed upon touchdown.

Following the test, Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX would implement a design change, igniting all three center engines during the flip maneuver to improve landing reliability in future prototypes.

Although the landing attempt ended in failure, the flight provided critical data that accelerated the evolution of Starship’s design. Each prototype, including SN9, played a vital role in SpaceX’s iterative engineering approach, bringing humanity closer to fully reusable spacecraft capable of missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The metal preserved within this display is a genuine piece of stainless steel sourced from the Starship SN9 prototype. These artifacts were recovered during post-test cleanup efforts on Boca Chica Beach near the SpaceX Starbase testing site, where volunteers assisted in collecting debris from the surrounding area following the flight.

As a physical remnant of one of the most ambitious aerospace programs in history, it represents innovation, risk, and relentless progress in modern space exploration.

Watch the launch and flight test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTwBllaqcME

Only one authentic Starship SN9 metal sample is included within each display. Any additional pieces shown in photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are not included with this product.

Handmade in the USA
Dimensions 3 x 4 x 1
Clear Lucite Acrylic
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity

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