For the first time after the successful launch of SpaceX Dragon ship managed to make a vertical landing of the first stage of the launch vehicle, the Falcon 9 on an autonomous platform in the ocean. The attempt was the fifth in a row. However, this does not prevent the head of the company’s Elon Musk claim that soon the company “sit down” on the side of man.
Start carrier rocket, the Falcon 9 was in normal mode. After a few minutes of the flight there was a separation of the first stage of the apparatus. Dragon spacecraft headed for orbit. After a few days he will make docking with the ISS, which will deliver three tons of cargo. But the most important thing in this moment happened on the ground. More precisely – on the water
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Historical footage: eight and a half minutes after the launch of the lower level held a vertical landing on the platform in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX employees met to stop the engines loud shouts and applause.
According to Elon Musk, SpaceX owner, 8 April was an important date for the future of space travel. “This is another step on the way to the stars to make the space more accessible, we must ensure the possibility of multiple use.”, – He explained
Why is water, not land -. To explain simple – all matter in fuel economy . Install a mobile platform at the point where the ocean is cheaper than a return to the stage of the launch site. April 10 platform will arrive at the port at Cape Canaveral. There is another reason -. To obtain a license from the authorities to land in the sea is easier than on earth
Four previous attempts ended in failure. The first time the unit was able to touch the ground, but at the last moment fell and exploded. A few months later SpaceX was even closer to success. However, once again it failed to stay on the platform stage – blast occurred again. The third and fourth landing ended similarly. At the end of 2015 the company managed to carry out the landing on land. On the fifth attempt in the company of high hopes.
Musk acknowledged that the company will need a few more years. “Perhaps in the future we will be setbacks, but we will fix all the flaws and bring the process to such an extent that the return of the rocket will be the usual routine when a rocket will need to just wash, fuel up and run back,” – he told
There are concrete figures: the first stage of the Falcon-9 plans to use up to 20 times. According to the most optimistic forecasts, after the upgrade, this figure will increase to 100 flights
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