A new video shows how a YouTuber's intelligent question helped Elon Musk to make a vital change to a new SpaceX rocket.
Everyday Astronaut, who runs a YouTube channel with 1.25 million subscribers, was first invited to SpaceX's 'Starbase' facility at the end of last year.
However, after being invited back more than six months later, it was revealed by SpaceX chief Elon Musk that a question the YouTuber asked actually led to changes being made on one of the newest rockets.
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One of the big improvements made to the new ship is to use excess gas from the Starship's main engines for manoeuvring thrusters instead of separate cold gas thrusters – a correction that was made following Everyday Astronaut's query.
In the original meeting between the pair, which took place last August, Musk can be seen discussing the nature of the new Starship SpaceX rocket. Comprised of the actual ship, as well as the attached thrusters, the world's richest man states that 'you don't even need a cold gas thruster system...you already have hot gas'.
Everyday Astronaut, otherwise known as Tim, then interjects by saying: "But this is only for the booster, right?"
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At this point, Musk appears to come to some sort of realisation, as the camera shows him deep in thought.
"Although, arguably, now you mentioned it, it might be wise to do this for the (space)ship too," Musk then admits.
What he seems to have realised is that the ship, as well as the thrusters, also don't need a cold gas thruster system.
"We're gonna fix that," the 50-year-old reassures his guest.
Fast-forward to Tim's latest tour of SpaceX's Starbase, which was uploaded to YouTube two days ago, and we see Musk admit that he made changes following the pair's previous discussion.
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He calls said changes 'one of the biggest improvements we [SpaceX] made' to Starship.
"It occurred to me while I was explaining it to you," Musk adds.
"I was like, 'wait, what are we doing?'."
Musk and SpaceX, which he helped to found, have lofty ambitions for the new Starship rocket in question.
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As Bloomberg report, they are aiming land humans on the moon, and eventually Mars using the striking rocket.
Currently being assembled at their base in Boca Chica, Texas, Musk is now awaiting regulatory approval to begin launches – with a review expected to be completed by the end of the month.
Featured Image Credit: Everyday AstronautTopics: Elon Musk, Science, Technology, SpaceX, YouTube