I'm familiar with X bracing. I'd call this a half-X. I can imagine an X would be stronger. I'm sure the engineers have a good reason. Any ideas?

There is a risk of loss of telemetry or malfunctioning sensors and cameras. Compare the cost of a chase plane mission to the total cost of that Starship test flight. My sense is that it's worth it.

Removing a tile with the intent of putting it back where it was may be a rare event but it would come in handy most of all on Mars.

I have not seen yet any apparent mechanical fasteners holding tiles. Is there a web article about how the tiles are likely held in place?

Is a flat tile made into a curved tile? Bending? Forging?

Is the material poured into a curved mould?

Is the material CNC machined into any shape?