3 ms·
I've only watched the animation, not the whole video, but it seems like this is missing a crucial step. It seems to show the first stage magically start moving
by mkl 7y ago
I've only watched the animation, not the whole video, but it seems like this is missing a crucial step. It seems to show the first stage magically start moving backwards, rather than continue to move forwards (coasting) and use thrusters to turn around for re-entry down-range. I'm sure the actual rocket experts will have it right, but is it me or the animator that's misinterpreted things?
- Taniwha 7y agoyeah I wondered about that too, I suspect it naturally arcs over and comes down heavy end first (a bit like a shuttlecock) with empty tanks the heavy end is the motors.
- russdill 7y agoIt's just a combination of camera tracking and the acceleration of the second stage. The rocket follows a ballistic trajectory, there's no need for it to turn around. Or are you just thinking of orientation? The rocket will probably have RCS to do it's flip and re-enter with proper orientation.
- mkl 7y agoYes, orientation. The orientation doesn't change on screen, and yet it's going thrusters first to the right, which looks like where it's come from.