SpaceX has a "test as you fly" philosophy. It's the same approach that built the Soviet Union's excellent rockets (including the Soyuz). Unlike the Soviet Unio

SpaceX has a "test as you fly" philosophy. It's the same approach that built the Soviet Union's excellent rockets (including the Soyuz). Unlike the Soviet Union, SpaceX can afford to fund their version of the "N1" moon rocket: at around $1 million per Raptor engine (and 3 Raptors per Starship hop test) the R&D program is still relatively affordable, even with the failures. This philosophy is in stark contrast to the SLS (Space Launch System) which after decades of development has only just done a static fire. Also SpaceX's philosophy around the Starship test program is focused on building a factory that can manufacture thousands of Starships vehicles a year. But I agree on the spectrum between "analysis paralysis" and "reckless" SpaceX is arguably a bit too far towards reckless at the moment. I hope apparently wasteful R&D program yields better results soon. They need to start testing rapid reuse for Starship to be able to meet its cost goals.