pic: SpaceX historic landing

[Barry Bonzack]

loading photo ...

[Jacob Bendicksen]

I was lucky enough to be able to see the launch in person, and it was absolutely incredible.

This is another "giant leap" for space exploration -- can't wait to see the first Falcon Heavy launch and the first Dragon launch to the ISS.

[Joe Ross]

Who knew that recycling could be such a rush.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by Jacob Bendicksen

the first Dragon launch to the ISS.

You mean Dragon v2 with humans?

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

You mean Dragon v2 with humans?

Yup, meant 'manned Dragon launch.'

[Wayne TenBrink]

In some very old sci-fi movies, the rockets landed on their tails. Back when I was younger (1970's & 80's) I would scoff at those movies. After all, how ridiculous is it to think that a rocket could land on its tail? We enlightened, future engineers knew that rocket parts either splashed down, burned up, or (if you were really sophisticated) they landed like an airplane.

Fast forward to 2015 and rockets can land on their tails. Go figure....

[philso]

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

In some very old sci-fi movies, the rockets landed on their tails. Back when I was younger (1970's & 80's) I would scoff at those movies. After all, how ridiculous is it to think that a rocket could land on its tail? We enlightened, future engineers knew that rocket parts either splashed down, burned up, or (if you were really sophisticated) they landed like an airplane.

Fast forward to 2015 and rockets can land on their tails. Go figure....

When will Space X and Blue Origin be able to make their rockets shoot sparks and have the exhaust curve upward as they fly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTtc...ailpage#t=1061

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Wayne TenBrink

In some very old sci-fi movies, the rockets landed on their tails. Back when I was younger (1970's & 80's) I would scoff at those movies. After all, how ridiculous is it to think that a rocket could land on its tail?

A rocket landing tail-first is not ridiculous. After all, that's how landings have always been done on the moon.



Fuel is cheap, and its weight compares favorably with that of parachutes and wings. Using the same components for takeoff and landing is a definite gain in simplicity. We're just now shaking off the old "performance is paramount" and "every ounce saved is worth it" mindset, and getting back to the simple idea of landing a rocket on a pillar of flame so it can be used again. The way God and Robert Heinlein meant it to be done.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

A rocket landing tail-first is not ridiculous. After all, that's how landings have always been done on the moon.

With no atmosphere and no contractors building rockets on the moon for the return home, and one-sixth the gravity, the situation was slightly different.

OBTW, anyone else reading this thread should look carefully at the end of Alan's post; again is not the last word.

Originally Posted by philso

When will Space X and Blue Origin be able to make their rockets shoot sparks and have the exhaust curve upward as they fly?

I haven't checked the video, but IIRC the rockets in the old Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon landed on their sides, not their tails.