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SpaceX To Try a First Stage Recovery Again On April 13
schwit1 writes: In its next launch on Monday, SpaceX will once again try to safely land its first stage on an ocean barge, allowing the reuse of that stage in later flights. "Following first stage separation, thrusters flip the rocket so the engines are pointing in the direction of travel. First, there’s a boostback burn to refine the rocket’s trajectory, causing the rocket to fly through its own exhaust (the space shuttle's risky Return-to-Launch-Site abort scenario relied on a similar maneuver). While the vehicle is still traveling faster than the speed of sound, four grid fins deploy, steering the rocket as it plummets toward the ocean. An entry burn slows the rocket further, and landing legs unfold. A final engine burn settles the Falcon onto [the barge]." Monday afternoon is certainly going to be an exciting day for space cadets. First, at 4 pm (Eastern) the head of ULA will reveal the design of the company's new rocket. Then, at 4:33 pm (Eastern), SpaceX will launch Dragon to ISS while attempting to return the first stage safely.
I know you are joking, but for those who didn't already know:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U...
The United Launch Alliance is an unholy union of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
They have stated that it will go to the factory for non-destructive inspection and then to Spaceport America for further test flights (without payloads, only sub-orbital).
They are already negotiating a sale of first flight of re-used booster, but that is still some way off (and I guess they won't close that deal until they, well, actually recover a stage or two first)