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 Roanoke County secures $6.3 million for McAfee Knob trailhead upgrades Web Staff February 27, 2026 0 Virginia consumers are more upbeat about the economy Gene Marrano February 27, 2026 0 Virginia Tech expert analyzes longest State of the Union address in history Web Staff February 27, 2026 0