Tech professor says Starship aborted launch was a learning tool Gene Marrano May 8, 2023 1 minute read When the SpaceX Starship exploded shortly after launch on April 20th, the employees cheered their success. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports a Virginia Tech engineering professor says the rocket did what it was meant to do. Share: Post navigation Previous: It is “Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Day” in the cityNext: Ironman to pause Roanoke event after June race Related Stories U.S. Supreme Court denies Virginia Dems appeal on referendum vote Gene Marrano May 15, 2026 The Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail officially launches Gene Marrano May 15, 2026 Taubman Museum honors two people with ties to museum Gene Marrano May 14, 2026