5 ms·
It came down at quite the angle.
by smegel 11y ago
It came down at quite the angle.
- facetube 11y agoLooked intentionally parabolic to me.
- cryptoz 11y agoThis is intentional. I think the plans are that SpaceX would be directing the first stage to de-orbit and enter the atmosphere with an "incorrect" trajectory, so that if the landing burn fails the rocket will be safely sent out to sea. Part of the landing burn is a redirect maneuver, so that the rocket will always have a crazy angle when it comes in, but will also keep land/people safe.
- mikeash 11y agoThere's no land or people around in this case, but they don't want to punch a hole in their fancy ship if the engine fails to relight.
- iamcreasy 11y agoI don't think that's the correct explanation.
- cryptoz 11y agoPerhaps that's not what happened here - it sounds like Elon later explained that there were high winds at the landing site that might have caused the heavy lean. However, what I said about the last minute divert maneuver is possible/probable for future landings. Here is a recent discussion about it: https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/3xzn7s/my_previous_spacex_falcon_9_vs_blue_origin_new/cy98n0b https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/3xzn7s/my_previous_...
- facetube 11y agoHere's the NASA press conference where he says it: https://youtu.be/EmN9IJyzBG0?t=23m30s https://youtu.be/EmN9IJyzBG0?t=23m30s
- jccooper 11y agoIn the press conference, Elon credited 50mph winds for the tilt.