SpaceX scrubs attempt to launch amped-up Starship V3 on inaugural test flight | CNN

CNN asked two space investment insiders — Phil Scully, general partner with Balerion Space Ventures, and Andrew Chanin, CEO of the investment firm ProcureAM — for thoughts on this test flight as SpaceX rapidly approaches its projected IPO date. Here are some of their responses, which have been edited for length:

Do you think a suboptimal performance on this test flight will affect perceptions of the IPO?

Chanin: There are likely more eyes on this test launch than ever before for this company. A risky call to do this highly anticipated launch so close to the IPO — but fortune favors the bold.

Scully: Of course, the optics matter. But Starship is still just one piece of a very large pie. And people who are interested in backing SpaceX know that it's built its reputation on rapid iteration and learning through testing.

How do you think the pressure to exhibit success with Starship might change after the IPO?

Chanin: A publicly listed company can potentially exhibit more volatility than a private company on both its success and failures.

Scully: Starship is undoubtedly transformational for the entire industry. Of course, there are challenges, but SpaceX has proven that they can do the impossible. We believe stakeholders, even the world, see that. That willingness to tolerate setbacks in pursuit of something far bigger, such as making the impossible possible, is what enables truly extraordinary breakthroughs.