Today, the company SpaceX has tested a new method of landing rockets, using already flown the first stage of the rocket Falcon 9. After the successful launch of the satellite GovSat-1, which was held on January 31, the first stage, the return of which is not planned, not only landed, but remained intact.
On this rocket experienced a new method of planting in which during braking is activated immediately three engines. It is assumed that when successfully landing this will significantly save fuel, because then the braking will take less time. But a failed landing, the rocket could damage the landing platform, so it is sent directly into the ocean.
Tweeted Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, promised that “survived” the first stage will try to deliver to shore.
This rocket was meant to test very high retrothrust landing in water so it didn’t hurt the droneship, but amazingly it has survived. We will try to tow it back to shore. pic.twitter.com/hipmgdnq16
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2018.
Margin the first stage of the Falcon 9 appeared to be somewhat greater than assumed in even the developers themselves. Certainly engineers will be able to make far-reaching conclusions, having carefully studied the state of the structure. Fuel economy, for example, may allow to increase the payload of the rocket when it comes to space launches, every “extra” pounds.
Twice flown Falcon 9 stage survived landing on water
Vyacheslav Larionov