SpaceX are hoping that it’ll be third time lucky when it comes to landing the first stage of their Falcon 9 rocket on a barge this Tuesday. The company are trying to revolutionize the way spaceflight operates by creating reusable rockets and therefore lowering launch costs. The first step on this ambitious journey is landing the Falcon 9’s first stage on a barge in the Atlantic, and Tuesday's launch serves as a fantastic opportunity to do so.
The launch is the sixth in the Commercial Resupply Services contract for SpaceX. Contained within the Dragon capsule will be essential supplies for the astronauts aboard the ISS, as well as important scientific experiments that will take place over the next year. As always, this will be the primary mission for SpaceX, even if more attention is given to the landing.
The launch is the sixth in the Commercial Resupply Services contract for SpaceX. Contained within the Dragon capsule will be essential supplies for the astronauts aboard the ISS, as well as important scientific experiments that will take place over the next year. As always, this will be the primary mission for SpaceX, even if more attention is given to the landing.
The first stage will be landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. The floating platform has been upgraded since the DSCOVR launch, where rough weather conditions did not allow a landing attempt to occur. With a wall around its perimeter to protect the containers aboard the barge, and a rumoured upgrade to its thrust system, the barge is now far more likely to survive the rough seas than it was before.
The Falcon 9 rocket has been fitted with a number of somewhat unusual features to allow the landing to happen. Grid fins have been attached towards the top of the first stage, which will allow more maneuverability, hence aiding the control of the vehicle as it attempts to line up with the correct trajectory so a landing can occur. Pinpoint accuracy will be needed, as relatively speaking the rocket will be aiming for a very small target! Additionally, and obviously most importantly, the Falcon 9 is fitted with legs. These mean that the rocket can land safely, rather than crushing its engines on impact. That wouldn’t be ideal, to say the least.
Both the grid fins and landing legs have been used on previous flights. The lack of hydraulic fluid used to power the grid fins was the cause of the CRS-5 landing attempt failure. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has assured space fans there will be more hydraulic fluid this time round, so it is hoped the landing will go off without a hitch. But remember, rocket science isn’t easy - so anything could happen!
The Falcon 9 rocket has been fitted with a number of somewhat unusual features to allow the landing to happen. Grid fins have been attached towards the top of the first stage, which will allow more maneuverability, hence aiding the control of the vehicle as it attempts to line up with the correct trajectory so a landing can occur. Pinpoint accuracy will be needed, as relatively speaking the rocket will be aiming for a very small target! Additionally, and obviously most importantly, the Falcon 9 is fitted with legs. These mean that the rocket can land safely, rather than crushing its engines on impact. That wouldn’t be ideal, to say the least.
Both the grid fins and landing legs have been used on previous flights. The lack of hydraulic fluid used to power the grid fins was the cause of the CRS-5 landing attempt failure. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has assured space fans there will be more hydraulic fluid this time round, so it is hoped the landing will go off without a hitch. But remember, rocket science isn’t easy - so anything could happen!