SpaceX Will Attempt To Land Space Rocket On A Barge
- 9 years ago
Officials at SpaceX are doing everything they can to ensure the Falcon 9 rocket can handle radical missions that are unfavorable to say the very least. The company is now planning a landing on a barge in the Atlantic ocean.
SpaceX is pursuing its next bold innovation in the space industry. On Friday they plan to land a rocket on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. The hope is for the Falcon 9 first stage rocket to successfully touch down on what is officially being called an ‘autonomous spaceport drone ship’.
It measures 300 feet by 100 feet on its own, but has since been expanded by two wing-shaped additions, giving it an extra 70 feet in width.
It’s a challenge that SpaceX staffers already know is going to be an exceptionally tough one. A statement by the company notes the odds of it being successful are 50 percent at best.
This is just one test out of a series of them that will help to create an entirely reusable rocket. SpaceX founder and CEO, Elon Musk explained “Reusability is the critical breakthrough needed in rocketry to take things to the next level. We've been able to soft land the rocket booster in the ocean twice so far.”
Musk, however, also pointed out that it sat in the water for a few moments before tipping onto its side and exploding. The size of the rocket makes things all the more difficult, as it’s about 14-stories high.
Despite the setbacks and issues in the past, Musk is optimistic that the Falcon 9 booster will be able to land on the floating platform.
SpaceX is pursuing its next bold innovation in the space industry. On Friday they plan to land a rocket on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. The hope is for the Falcon 9 first stage rocket to successfully touch down on what is officially being called an ‘autonomous spaceport drone ship’.
It measures 300 feet by 100 feet on its own, but has since been expanded by two wing-shaped additions, giving it an extra 70 feet in width.
It’s a challenge that SpaceX staffers already know is going to be an exceptionally tough one. A statement by the company notes the odds of it being successful are 50 percent at best.
This is just one test out of a series of them that will help to create an entirely reusable rocket. SpaceX founder and CEO, Elon Musk explained “Reusability is the critical breakthrough needed in rocketry to take things to the next level. We've been able to soft land the rocket booster in the ocean twice so far.”
Musk, however, also pointed out that it sat in the water for a few moments before tipping onto its side and exploding. The size of the rocket makes things all the more difficult, as it’s about 14-stories high.
Despite the setbacks and issues in the past, Musk is optimistic that the Falcon 9 booster will be able to land on the floating platform.