SpaceX Tuesday...

[paolow]

Eric Mc said:

Just a bump to remind people that this launch is due off tonight.

With thanks - I did know - but had forgotten. Watching now - good luck Spacex

[London424]

Nailed it! Great footage

[neenaw]

That landing looked pretty much perfect to me.
The footage looked like something from a computer game or a film!

[DoubleSix]

Spine tingling!

[paolow]

Staggering accuracy - well done on another landing

[callmedave]

DoubleSix said:

Spine tingling!

Gave me shivers!

Such a good camera angle to watch it from too!

[Einion Yrth]

Interesting to see that the timeline under the video no longer says "experimental landing"; just "landing" - and it did.

[anonymous-user]

Brilliant job!

I get teary eyed every time it lands.

[Beati Dogu]

Great that they were able to keep the picture all the way down for the first time. Quite incredible footage.

IIRC this drone ship nearly had a landing before, but one of the rocket's legs didn't lock out and it collapsed.

[Sylvaforever]

did the launch location name finish with "earth" again?

That was pretty nerve racking! what with all the fuelling and venting sounds from strongback being transmitted too!!

virtually full landing sequence streamed as well fan-bloody-tastic!

Just gotta wait for stage 2 restart now then sat deployments..

[ninja-lewis]

They're aiming for a launch every two weeks this year.

[K12beano]

Wow! Exciting.

[Beati Dogu]

I'm back.

[p1stonhead]

Landings are like clockwork now

[callmedave]

The next big step is the landing of a re-used stage. so far these have all been newly built rockets.

[Eric Mc]

p1stonhead said:

Landings are like clockwork now

It'll always be a bit iffy, I think.

[MartG]

Eric Mc said:

p1stonhead said:

Landings are like clockwork now

It'll always be a bit iffy, I think.

Agreed - it'll be some time before anyone trusts it enough to try a manned powered landing like that, without parachute backup

[paolow]

Eric Mc said:

It'll always be a bit iffy, I think.

You mentioned this before Eric - and it stuck in my mind that you never felt a rocket landing would be 'routine' - but I cant help but wonder whether people said the same about driving an automobile or piloting an aircraft etc.
I personally hope that one day it WILL be somewhat routine - even if now its very exciting to see the technology evolve and the possibilities that go with it.
I wonder how we will perceive things in a decade?
Actually - having written that I am reminded that in 2027 we should have a functional Mars settlement if things go to plan. Astonishing.

Edited by paolow on Saturday 14th January 20:57

[Eric Mc]

I think there is no doubt we will get better at landing rockets back on earth - but I still think it will be a rather iffy activity. But, if they can make it reliable ENOUGH, then that will serve the function they want it to - which is to reduce launch costs.

On that score, I reckon it is a better system than a reusable space plane.

[SystemParanoia]

all hail the mighty flying space pencil!