SpaceX plans ocean platform landing

[Cosmacelf]

Elon said there was no good video. Pitch black and foggy on top of that. Don't know if even IR video would show anything.

 

[trils0n]

Wow, I hadn't seen pictures of the barge with people on it to give it scale. Such a small target! Amazing they were able to get so close.

 

[chickensevil]

With the added tweets saying it was because of a loss of hydraulics and that they have added 50% more fluid to the rocket to ensure they have enough next time, I feel pretty good about the next launch.

Elon said "next month" so does this mean the 29th launch has already been scrubbed and pushed back? Either way I hope they can get a quick turn around.

 

[Electroman]

So hard landed, tipped over and sank ?

 

[aronth5]

http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/01/11/photos-spacexs-rocket-landing-platform-back-in-port/

Some additional photos

 

[woof]

So hard landed, tipped over and sank ?

They said it was daft to land on a ocean platform, but we did it just the same. It hard landed, tipped over and sank.
So, we built another one. That burned up, tipped over and sank. But the third one...stayed up(right)!

Apologies to Monty Python.

 

[doug]

Elon Musk on Twitter:

"Before impact, fins lose power and go hardover. Engines fights to restore, but...
Rocket hits hard at ~45 deg angle, smashing legs and engine section.
Residual fuel and oxygen combine...
Full RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly) event. Ship is fine minor repairs. Exciting day!"

 

[rabar10]

Those are some amazing pics.

 

[HVM]

Grid fins seems to be frozen in quite awkward angle.

 

[MassModel3]

Full RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly) event.

Love it! I'm going to have to add that to my vernacular.

 

[rabar10]

Another recent Elon tweet: "Next rocket landing on drone ship in 2 to 3 weeks w way more hydraulic fluid. At least it shd explode for a diff reason."

Gotta love the wry pragmatism.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Cue the headlines, "Elon predicts next SpaceX rocket will explode".

Great pics.

 

[AudubonB]

Thank heavens he avoided calling it a Fully Unscheduled Disassembly.

 

[chickensevil]

Another recent Elon tweet: "Next rocket landing on drone ship in 2 to 3 weeks w way more hydraulic fluid. At least it shd explode for a diff reason."

Gotta love the wry pragmatism.

Yeah, I think it was the Texas interview that he said he gave it a 60% chance of success now I'm sure that's just another made up estimate, but his confidence in the success is clearly higher.

 

[ecarfan]

So close...that is an impressive first attempt. Next time will be better!

 

[HVM]

https://vine.co/v/OjqeYWWpVWK

( -> )

 

[TEG]

https://vine.co/v/OjqeYWWpVWK

( -> )

That was a lot more exciting than the stills!
Thanks.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Wow, really impressive video. They were so very close. The rocket was not moving very fast at the end, and the rocket engine cut out at exactly the right time. Lots of things went right.

 

[scaesare]

That. Is. Awesome!

 

[MassModel3]

WOW! Thank you, HVM, for posting this link!!!