Space & Astronomy

SpaceX makes history with vertical landing

By T.K. Randall
December 22, 2015

Image: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launch (2025)
Credit: Aubrey Gemignani / (PD) NASA Not to be outdone by Blue Origin's BE-3 rocket which successfully launched a spacecraft before returning to the Earth last month, SpaceX has now taken things one step further by using its own Falcon 9 rocket to launch 11 satellites in to orbit before coming in to land at Cape Canaveral.The impressive feat, which represents a major leap forward in the development of reusable rockets, follows on from a string of unsuccessful attempts which had set the company back several months.

There and back again pic.twitter.com/Ll7wg2hL1G

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 22, 2015

Reusable rockets are a big thing for private space firms as they have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of each launch and make missions in to space a lot more affordable.


Source: Popular Mechanics

Tags: SpaceX, Falcon 9