[Merged] SpaceX CRS-5 Forced to abort launch

[Timothy]

The launch of SpaceX CRS-5 has been delayed. CRS-5 was to carry an increased payload to the ISS due to the recent failure of the NASA's Antares.

Unfortunately; around T minus 5 minutes, the launch of the unmanned CRS-5 was aborted safely.

Additional to the above, SpaceX was to attempt to land the massive detached first stage of their Falcon rocket vertically on an unmanned ocean-born platform to help to pave the way to promote the ability to reuse initial rocket stages.

Edit: Elon Musk, CEO and founder of SpaceX, gave a 50/50 chance for the landing to be successful. Realistic IMO.

Read more: http://www.news.com....e-1227175990296 & http://www.nasaspace...ic-core-return/

Mod: Please move to space related section when able.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Timonthy

[danielost]

http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/spacexs-falcon-rocket-will-attempt-to-land-after-returning-from-space/story-fnjwlcze-1227175990296

“There’s a certain likelihood that this will not work out right, that something will go wrong,” Koenigsmann told reporters. “Nobody has ever tried that to our knowledge.”

The platform — called a drone — was described by Koenigsmann as stable even in high waves and wind. As of Monday, it was already stationed a couple hundred kilometres off the coast of north-eastern Florida, the target touchdown spot.

if this works it will make space flight cheaper. they have been throwing these stages away.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

The good news is that the launch went well. The Dragon is in orbit and will reach the ISS on Tuesday.

The bad news is that the first stage landing on the barge didn't go well. Elon Musk tweeted the following:

Rocket made it to drone spaceport ship, but landed hard. Close, but no cigar this time. Bodes well for the future tho.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Waspie_Dwarf
typo due to a dodgy space bar.