How do larger, denser Starship components typically compare in trajectory to lighter, non-structural parts?

They follow trajectories closer to the initial projections, impacting deep in the designated splash zone.

The composition of the debris significantly dictates its dispersion pattern upon atmospheric re-entry following a Starship breakup. Larger, denser components retain more of their initial momentum and mass, meaning they are less affected by the retarding force of atmospheric drag and the lateral push of prevailing winds. Consequently, these heavier pieces tend to follow trajectories that remain relatively close to the initial projections made by trajectory modeling, leading to their impact deep within the designated deep-water splash zone. Conversely, lighter materials, lacking this mass advantage, are heavily influenced by air resistance and wind sheer, causing them to spread out across a much wider area.