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The first stage never makes it to orbit, it's on a ballistic trajectory in to the Atlantic Ocean. Landing from a short hop is a much easier operation than from
by sitharus 9y ago
The first stage never makes it to orbit, it's on a ballistic trajectory in to the Atlantic Ocean.
Landing from a short hop is a much easier operation than from orbit. So far SpaceX have abandoned second stage recovery as too hard.
- DiThi 9y agoSecond stage recovery of F9 is not out of the table completely yet. It seems more likely now that there will be attempts in the future.
- bisby 9y agohttps://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/847882289581359104 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/847882289581359104 as of 1.5 months ago. > Considering trying to bring upper stage back on Falcon Heavy demo flight for full reusability. Odds of success low, but maybe worth a shot. So they've definitely not abandoned it, and in fact, are actively considering at least as a small possibility again.
- sitharus 9y agoI was referring to the standard falcon 9, but you're quite right. It'll be impressive if SpaceX manage second stage recovery.
- aninhumer 9y agoIs there any information about how second stage recovery would work? A powered landing on a single vacuum engine from orbital velocity seems implausible...
- zardo 9y agoOther than "bring it back like dragon", nothing official. The addition of heatshield and some alternate landing device seems very likely.