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Science

eppur_se_muova

(40,688 posts) Fri May 30, 2014, 09:33 AM May 2014

SpaceX unveil 'no runway' Dragon V2 space capsule (BBC) [View all]

SpaceX has unveiled a re-useable spacecraft which it says will be able to take-off and land anywhere on Earth, "like a helicopter".

The seven-seater Dragon V2 is equipped with side-mounted thrusters and legs to allow it to land vertically, without the need for a runway.

Since NASA retired its space shuttle fleet three years ago, the American space agency has been dependent on Russian spacecraft to fly its astronauts into orbit.

The Californian-based company is competing with several others to win NASA contracts.
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autoplay video w/annoying ad: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27632582

aka a VTOL craft

7 replies

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SpaceX unveil 'no runway' Dragon V2 space capsule (BBC) [View all] eppur_se_muova May 2014 OP

Interesting... Wounded Bear May 2014 #1

it sheds most of its velocity on re-entry phantom power May 2014 #2

I looked up what the speed of Apollo was before they deployed the drogue parachute muriel_volestrangler May 2014 #6

It's amazing. 10 kilometers per *second* down to moderate airplane speed, in minutes. phantom power May 2014 #7

It's basically replacing the parachute caraher May 2014 #3

Flash Gordon has been doing that for decades sailfla May 2014 #4

Truly, there is nothing new under the Sun. nt eppur_se_muova May 2014 #5