Science

soniasharp

(2 posts)

10. Not a completely controlled descent

Sat Oct 12, 2013, 11:52 PM

Oct 2013

Actually, the real reusable rocket won't be firing all the way down. This is essentially just a test of the final few seconds of landing. In reality, there will be 2 separate short burns to bring the stage back - a deceleration burn, and then a final burn close to the ground for a soft landing. It only needs a very small fraction of the total initial fuel to achieve that. SpaceX is achieving some incredible stuff, I'm willing to bet they'll have a first stage recovered by the end of next year.

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SpaceX Grasshopper 744m Test Video. Stunning! [View all] tridim Oct 2013 OP

So fucking awesome. Warren DeMontague Oct 2013 #1

Energy expenditure BlueStreak Oct 2013 #4

Actually I think Tesla has been pretty successful. Warren DeMontague Oct 2013 #5

He has fundamentally miscalculated the energy capacity of battery storage BlueStreak Oct 2013 #7

Give the guy a little credit. He put together an orbital-capable launch operation in the space Warren DeMontague Oct 2013 #9

+1 architect359 Oct 2013 #17

Actually, his attitude is, "I know the laws of physics" caraher Oct 2013 #6

Just to be clear, that's a Bachelor's degree. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #8

Not a completely controlled descent soniasharp Oct 2013 #10

So which stage is this test simulating? BlueStreak Oct 2013 #11

First stage (kinda) soniasharp Oct 2013 #13

Welcome to DU. Warren DeMontague Oct 2013 #16

Welcome to DU gopiscrap Oct 2013 #15

Looks kind of old fashioned. Kablooie Oct 2013 #2

Or in Ray Bradbury books... hunter Oct 2013 #12

Rockets could do this for real in the 1960s BlueStreak Oct 2013 #14

Holy Shit!!!!! Cooley Hurd Oct 2013 #3