Looks like it *might* be open to the media (maybe public) but regardless, would be visible from several miles away. Wonder how close you can get if not open?
-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Looks like it *might* be open to the media (maybe public) but regardless, would be visible from several miles away. Wonder how close you can get if not open?
From SpaceX
"This was the last scheduled test for the Grasshopper rig; next up will be low altitude tests of the Falcon 9 Reusable (F9R) development vehicle in Texas
followed by high altitude testing in New Mexico."
http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/10/16/grasshopper-completes-half-mile-flight-last-test
"This was the last scheduled test for the Grasshopper rig; next up will be low altitude tests of the Falcon 9 Reusable (F9R) development vehicle in Texas
followed by high altitude testing in New Mexico."
http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/10/16/grasshopper-completes-half-mile-flight-last-test
This will be a full blown first stage 1.1 complete with their new landing legs.
Landing Legs | SpaceX
Falcon 9 | SpaceX
According to SpaceX, it was the lack of landing legs that caused the first test to fail. The legs would have reduced the rotation that built up on re-entry.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/musk-plans-reusability-falcon-9-rocket/
More info on the F9R-1 program (next phase of grasshopper).
More info on the F9R-1 program (next phase of grasshopper).
That article/interview has a ton of useful information in it.
And to stay within the theme of the thread:
YoungStranger
Member
he also indicated that SpaceX is still debating whether the first stage on CRS-3 “will land with landing legs in the ocean or land with landing legs on land. (But) either way, we do want it to have the landing legs on.”
They should hire an old oil tanker or something and land it on that - that way they could have the safety net of the ocean with the possibility of retrieving it in one piece and bringing back to port.
They should hire an old oil tanker or something and land it on that - that way they could have the safety net of the ocean with the possibility of retrieving it in one piece and bringing back to port.
Interesting thought, but don't you think it would be a much more complicated landing on a moving oil tanker (potentially moving on 3 axis) vs. a fixed point on land that could be pre-programmed prior to launch?
