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In space it uses nitrogen thrusters to orient. Once in the atmosphere it uses grid fins to orient. The entire liftoff and return is piloted by Falcon's flight c
by cloudwalking 10y ago
In space it uses nitrogen thrusters to orient. Once in the atmosphere it uses grid fins to orient. The entire liftoff and return is piloted by Falcon's flight computers -- no humans involved.
- samstave 10y agoThank you - how does the barge communicate with the falcon? And what types of comminucations are they having. I assume the barge is stating its GPS location, but does it also communicate things like sea conditions - and its elevation (what is it called to describe the condition of the sea), as well as wind, north-south orientation, etc... I am impressed - but I want to know how this works.
- cletusw 10y agoRumor is (https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/3b0stk/falcon_9_what_technology_is_used_to_have_it_land/ https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/3b0stk/falcon_9_wha...) that the barge does not communicate any information to the booster. Instead, it uses GPS and some ingenious motors to maintain position and orientation, and the Falcon booster uses a radar altimeter to judge accurate vertical distance.
- samstave 10y agoThats just fucking awesome if true. Its like "how can we maximize the use of some 'cheaper' technology and a shit-ton of math to accomplish this in the technologically simplest way?" Wow.
- Coincoin 10y agoAlso, the engines are gimbaled. This is essential for the landing burn.