Friday, January 16, 2015

SpaceX Release images of Falcon 9 Launcher crash - Video

Video of SpaceX Falcon 9's Lower Stage Launcher crash 

Credit: SpaceX


SpaceX Falcon 9's Lower Stage Launcher crash.

Credit: Space X

SpaceX Falcon 9's Lower Stage Launcher crashes back onto the deck of the floating platform that was intended as its safe haven.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has released pictures from his firms recent failed attempt to land a rocket on a boat.

The images show the first stage of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket hitting the boat at a 45 degree angle before exploding.

Looking closely at the images above, you can see the steerable fins at the top of the rocket, designed to bring it in for a safe landing.

Musk has previously said that the fins ran out of hydraulic fluid just before landing, meaning the rocket lost control, so SpaceX will be adding more fluid for its next attempt.

The rocket came in too fast, destroying its landing legs, and then the leftover fuel ignited and it exploded (see below).

"Full RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly) event. Ship is fine minor repairs. Exciting day!" tweeted Musk.

No comments:

Post a Comment