Modi receives Starship heat shield tile from Musk during US visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a heat shield tile from SpaceX's Starship rocket as a gift from Elon Musk during his visit to the U.S. This tile is from the significant Starship Flight Test 5, which took place in October 2024. The heat shield tile symbolizes advancements in rocket technology, particularly in reusability. The test marked a breakthrough for SpaceX, demonstrating the ability to catch a rocket booster mid-air and successfully splash down in the Indian Ocean. In return, Modi gifted Musk a selection of notable Indian books, including works by Rabindranath Tagore and RK Narayan. The meeting highlighted discussions on technology, innovation, and India's governance reforms.