SpaceX makes its 20th successful landing today
Landing rockets have almost become a routine for the American launch company. But then again, we've grown used to seeing aircraft take off and land without the need to scrap and rebuild the whole vehicle every time, so why should it be any different with rockets? SpaceX made history with the first-ever landing of a booster engine following the deployment of a satellite in orbit in December 2015. Today, close to two years later, the company has reached an impressive milestone by repeating it no less than 20 times!
The Falcon 9 Booster Engine back at the launch pad following a successful launch and landing
A fourth reuse of the same booster engine
This launch and landing also mark the fourth time that SpaceX has successfully reused the same booster engine. Managing to land a rocket is, of course, a spectacular feat, but unless the retrieved vehicle can be returned, studied and prepared, and safely reused, it's hardly useful. 2017 has therefore been a great year for SpaceX, seeing as it is the first year the company has managed to reuse the same booster which it did for the first time in March this year. Going on to make 3 more reuses, as well as more than doubling the number of launches this year compared to 2016 (from 8 to 17, with one more launch still scheduled before the end of the year), it is no surprise that many in the space sector are excited today about the future of space accessibility.
A second reuse of the same Dragon capsule
Today's launch mission was to deliver cargo to the International Space Station with the Dragon capsule, also developed by SpaceX. It is the second time a Dragon capsule has been reused successfully, which is another key objective towards bringing the costs down and the accessibility of space up.
The same Dragon capsule that was launched today in an image taken from the ISS as it approached the space station the first time it was used in 2015, carrying science experiments, equipment, and supplies for the astronauts
Image credit: NASA Image source
The capsule is currently confirmed to be in the right orbit as it will slowly but surely push its way further towards the International Space Station where it will dock before departing back to Earth.
For further details about the mission, or if you want to see the launch and landing, you can check out the live-stream video which has already been uploaded to SpaceX's own YouTube page below:
Watch the full webcast of todayæs launch with commentary
(Perhaps we should try and get SpaceX and Elon onto @dtube and @dlive ? ;) )
To me, it is exciting to see how much attention SpaceX manages to grab with their launches time and time again. Despite this being the 20th successful landing, I still find myself watching their streams and cheering upon landing. A quick glance at my social media streams and I'll see just how many of my other friends and colleagues in the sector share the same enthusiasm and excitement for what SpaceX is accomplishing.
It sure is an awesome time to be young and involved in a time where nothing seems impossible!
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Enjoyed the post. I follow the work of Space X and find it has rekindled my enthusiasm for space technology. Reading your comment about watching and cheering for each successive launch reminds me of the enthusiasm of the late 60s and early 70s, when they would pull children out of class to watch launches. I was in elementary school and it was so exciting! I hope that educators are taking advantage of Mr. Musk's work, engaging children in watching and learning about the launches and other technologies of space exploration. What an opportunity to engage children in science and give them something positive to be excited about. Oh, and thanks for the info about @steemSTEM
AWESOME! My first time seeing a launch! Thank you. Exciting to see the excellence and effeciency
It is simply an incredible feat of enginering, to master such a unpredictable thing as a rocket flying through an atmosphere.
Nice! Glad to see I'm not the only one writing about this sort of thing :)
I can't wait for Falcon Heavy and BFR to launch. I just hope it won't be delayed for too much longer
Cool! I haven't come across you here before, will make sure to give you a follow and see what else you share on this awesome topic :)
I am also excited to say the least. I think now that they are making it a routine also to reuse the boosters, they will only be able to cut down the preparation times between each and make launches far more efficient. Only exciting times ahead :)
Yeah, probably the next step is speeding up the process from months/weeks to as little as possible. Don't think they'll achieve that 24h rotation they keep teasing, nor the 100 person BFR spacecraft. But hey, it's a start :)
I mostly post gaming stuff, space stuff, and some politics. I'll be glad to see you around!
Its really cool to see the progress of independent space programs. Excited to see how things progress in the coming years. Thanks for posting!
Its encouraging to see how Elon Musk despite all odds managed to make spaceX a success it is today!!
It goes out to say truly nothing is impossible
It's amazing to see how far SpaceX has come. I still remember being super excited when they properly landed their first stage rocket. Nice post @fredrikaa!
SpaceX is a very exciting company! I love seeing what Elon Musk is doing for humanity
I also view them as the most exciting company around. Elon is simply different from others, he has vision and determination for goals that most just choose to dream about.
When you got Elon Musk behind a project ! :)
Nice topic. Never come across such since my fewdays now in steemit. It awasome will follow up to get more awesome post of yours