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wolram
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How did they do it, it must have been incredibly difficult.
The Falcon Landing: How Did They Do It?
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In summary, SpaceX's fifth landing of a Falcon 9 rocket on a droneship was successful, despite a few challenges. The first stage booster returned to land using only its engines after launch, but the second stage did not separate as planned and crashed into the ocean. The video link in the first post is to the earlier successful landing on land, but I assume the intention was to discuss last night's first successful landing on the droneship.
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Jonathan Scott
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It obviously takes a lot of practice - fifth time lucky!
But they were close on each of the previous attempts (especially the third one, which landed successfully but the leg didn't latch so it fell over).
It's pretty amazing anyway. This one appeared to bounce slightly and shift towards the edge as it settled, which was a bit scary.
But they were close on each of the previous attempts (especially the third one, which landed successfully but the leg didn't latch so it fell over).
It's pretty amazing anyway. This one appeared to bounce slightly and shift towards the edge as it settled, which was a bit scary.
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wolram
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How high were they when they turned around for landing? and how did they stop the exhausts from burning, out there must have been an incredible amount of heat reflected back at them.
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Jonathan Scott
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If you play the full launch video, you can see the figures on speed and height in the corner of the screen. The first stage booster is well short of orbital speed when it separates from the second stage. It is effectively in space when it turns round (using thrusters) then slows down a lot before reentry using a subset of its main engines. There are some diagrams easily found by Googling for images with keywords such as: SpaceX booster return profile
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Jonathan Scott
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I just had another look at the launch video:
Main Engine Cut-Off was at +2:34 into the flight (about 29:43 in the video), at a speed of about 6654 km/h and altitude of about 67.0 km.
Main Engine Cut-Off was at +2:34 into the flight (about 29:43 in the video), at a speed of about 6654 km/h and altitude of about 67.0 km.
- #6
nikkkom
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These are two different landings, btw.
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Jonathan Scott
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Yes, the video link in the first post is to the earlier successful landing on land, but I assume the intention was to discuss last night's first successful landing on the droneship.nikkkom said:
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1oldman2
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- #9
1oldman2
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Gimbal thrust and steering fins and a lot telemetry channels.wolram said:
Here is your user guide if you would like your own.
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/falcon_9_users_guide_rev_2.0.pdf
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mfb
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We have another thread about the same topic already, please continue discussion there.
1. How did the Falcon land on the drone ship?
The Falcon landed on the drone ship using a combination of thruster engines, guidance and navigation systems, and sophisticated algorithms. The thruster engines provide the propulsion needed to guide the Falcon towards the drone ship, while the guidance and navigation systems help to keep the Falcon on course. The algorithms take into account various factors such as wind and weather conditions to ensure a successful landing.
2. What is the significance of the Falcon landing on a drone ship?
The Falcon landing on a drone ship is significant because it demonstrates the ability to safely and accurately land a reusable rocket on a small target in the middle of the ocean. This paves the way for more cost-effective and efficient space travel, as the rocket can be reused multiple times instead of being discarded after each launch.
3. How does the Falcon landing impact space exploration?
The Falcon landing has a significant impact on space exploration as it opens up new possibilities for reusable rocket technology. This can potentially reduce the cost of space travel and make it more accessible to a wider range of organizations and individuals. It also allows for more frequent and rapid launches, making it easier to conduct research and exploration missions in space.
4. What challenges did SpaceX face in achieving the Falcon landing?
SpaceX faced several challenges in achieving the Falcon landing, including developing the necessary technology, conducting numerous test flights, and overcoming unexpected obstacles. The company also had to ensure the safety of the landing process and the success of the mission as a whole. However, through determination, innovation, and perseverance, SpaceX was able to successfully land the Falcon on the drone ship.
5. What are the future implications of the Falcon landing?
The Falcon landing has significant future implications for space exploration and technology. It demonstrates the potential for reusable rocket technology, which could greatly reduce the cost of space travel and enable more ambitious missions. It also sets a precedent for private companies to play a larger role in space exploration, potentially leading to more competition and advancements in the industry.
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