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SpaceX pulls off its first double fairing catch after a Falcon 9 launch
Part of the SpaceX mission has been to create reusable rockets that make spaceflight cheaper, and it has become routine to see the company’s booster rockets return safely to Earth.
Rocket Lab will reuse its rockets by catching them with a helicopter
SpaceX won't be the only company reusing its rockets for payload deliveries. Rocket Lab has unveiled plans to recover the first stage of its Electron vehicle. The strategy's first phase will have Rocket Lab recovering the stage from the ocean and refurbishing it for later. A second phase will be more... audacious. The company intends to have the stage "captured mid-air" by a helicopter, with the aircraft hooking on to the rocket's parachute array during the descent. It won't be as elegant as SpaceX's rocket landings, but it will be efficient if it works as planned.
Watch SpaceX launch a Falcon 9 loaded with internet satellites at 11 PM ET (updated)
SpaceX already revealed more about how its Starlink internet-providing satellites will work, and now it has to put the first 60 in space. According to Elon Musk, this is the heaviest payload ever for SpaceX, and each launch will "deliver 1 terabit of bandwidth to the Earth." The launch window is scheduled to open within the hour at 11 PM ET / 8 PM PT, and as usual, will be live streamed. The booster SpaceX is using has already flown twice, highlighting the Falcon 9's reusable capabilities, and it's scheduled to once again land on a droneship at sea after the launch. The window for launch is open until midnight ET, and if the launch doesn't occur for some reason, the same window will be available on Thursday evening. At last check, all systems and weather were go, you can expect the live stream to begin at around 10:45 PM ET. Update: Just as the stream came on around 10:45 PM, SpaceX announced tonight's launch has been scrubbed due to excess upper level winds. As mentioned above, there is a backup window for Thursday night between 10:30 PM ET and midnight.
The Big Picture: A Dragon heads to the International Space Station
The last time SpaceX's Dragon visited the International Space Station, they brought along some nifty presents that included the first zero-g 3D printer. SpaceX captured this photo of Dragon lifting off from Cape Canaveral in September on its fourth commercial resupply mission to the orbital outpost. The company is planning another launch on Friday. What does Elon Musk have up his sleeve this time? They'll attempt to land a Falcon 9 rocket booster on an "autonomous spaceport drone ship" (i.e., a barge). Will this crazy idea work? Musk estimates a 50–50 chance of success. Tune in on Friday to find out how it goes. [Image credit: SpaceX]
Watch SpaceX's reusable rocket hover at 3,280 feet before gently landing back to Earth
Between winning an injunction against a rival and proving that its reusable rocket works, it's been a pretty good week for SpaceX. As a victory lap, the company has once-again test fired its Falcon9R rocket, and unlike last time, filmed it from the ground so everyone can see its progress. In the clip (below), the craft launches, hovers at 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and gently coasts back to the ground for a safe landing. With this early hardware, the landing legs remain out at all times, but it's hoped that soon, the company will be able to have them stowed against the body, only emerging when it's time to land -- just like the U.S.S. Planet Express Ship.
