[Space X Flacon 9 rocket in launching sequence - Space X official web site]
[Space X Flacon 9 rocket test flight - Space X official YouTube channel]
After series of test flights which ended up in huge fireballs, Elon Musk’s Space X Falcon 9 rocket finally launched and landed itself in one piece during a test flight carried out on Tuesday.
This was the sixth launch of the Falcon 9 rocket carried out during 2015. A two-stage rocket carrying 11 low orbit satellites deployed the cargo and its first stage part in space, having the large booster stage landing upright successfully.
Previously, Space X tried to land the rocket on a special barge floating on a lake. The plan was when the landing fails, the company would be able to salvage the rocket underwater. But this time, Space X prepared a large landing pad made of concrete.
Experts of the industry pointed out that the successful landing is something to be cheered for, but the conditions of the rocket booster which had landed are also important. The booster seems functional, but there is no idea whether its vital parts are in good state enough for re-use.
Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket is aiming for the same goal as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin project, the company works on reusable rockets.
Space X and Blue Origin’s reusable project mean a great deal since space rockets so far, leaves nothing for re-use because it burns up during re-entry period. But if reusable rockets are more stabilized enough for commercialization, then firing up a space rocket could get much more affordable, opening doors to space travel for civil groups and developing countries.
While Space X and Blue Origins had their test flights of reusable rockets successfully carried out this year, the United Alliance, the joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin is also having their reusable rocket prepared for a test flight.
But for Vulcan, the joint venture’s rocket returns to earth in a different manner. The most expensive part- its engine is to be captured id air by helicopters.
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Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
