Thursday, March 30, 2017

SpaceX Has a Significant Launch Today Followed By a First-Stage Landing - Updated

Update at 5:40 pm Cowboy Time:  the launch and subsequent landing of the first-stage booster were successful as of just a few minutes ago.  Congratulations to Elon Musk and SpaceX.


Elon Musk has brought us with SpaceX space drama which might otherwise come from Ray Bradbury or a sci fi movie.  The idea of reusing the first-stage booster of a rocket was never seriously tried before SpaceX and they have shown multiple times it's possible.

The launch today in three hours or so will cement the reuse of first-stage boosters as a production procedure for future launches.  That will result in a significant reduction in launch costs and a consequent further establishment of the commercial feasibility of spaceflight.  (RT:  SpaceX launch could mark beginning of ‘low-cost’ era of space travel)

Thursday’s SpaceX launch is a high-risk, high-reward venture for the company, which could prove to be a defining moment for the future of commercial space flight and the private space industry as a whole.

SpaceX is planning to re-launch and re-land the rocket from the CRS 8 mission, which blasted off in April of last year to carry roughly 7,000 pounds (3175kg) of cargo to the ISS before successfully landing on a floating drone ship.

- RT




It's not likely any of the Sixties space geeks ever thought we would see this but SpaceX has been getting it done and they do it better than anywhere else in the world.

Ed:  we wanted starships!

Of course we did but I doubt many thought we would really see one.  Now it's sufficient to see the steps and the one this evening is major.


There are many things dragging the hell out of life for just about everyone but SpaceX isn't one of them and they really do give us inspiration that not only is the golden future possible but they are actively working to make it happen.

Wherever we can change the industry equation, we will do it. We were waving our hands to be the first,” SES’ global communications director, Marcus Payer, told Business Insider. “We are not risk-averse; otherwise we would not be launching satellites."

- RT

See, there's how you go to space.

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