Modi receives SpaceX heat shield tile from Musk during US visit

During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Elon Musk, who gifted him a heat shield tile from SpaceX's Starship flight test 5. The tile, engraved with the test date, sparked interest online as a "space relic." Modi and Musk discussed space, technology, and innovation. Modi also presented Musk's children with classic Indian books, enhancing the diplomatic exchange. The meeting took place before Modi's talks with US President Donald Trump. The heat shield tile is from a significant SpaceX test in October 2024, where the company successfully caught a rocket booster mid-air. This achievement is seen as a step toward future space missions.