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SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

bbc.com

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Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#161

Post by lutorm »

rtkwe wrote: post #70
smoyer wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a former gymnast, I like the sticking the landing analogy but a human (even on an unstable mat) has far more control over their balance point (we do much of our balancing by bending at the waist - if only the rocket had one). In any case, I agree that this was very close. I've also spent a reasonable amount of time on "big water" and was specifically watching the attitude of the landing deck with respect to the ho…

The Falcon 9 isn't totally reusable not does it plan to be. It still has a non-recoverable second stage so it's not quite to the point of a SSTO.

A reusable SSTO would be a very difficult project, given that noone's even built an expendable SSTO yet.

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#162

Post by sushirain »

Perhaps landing into a tank of non-corrosive liquid would prevent such collapses? Or on some kind of "glue"/alloy that quickly freezes.

You can also have spearguns firing cords from the top of the rocket to the ground after landing, to hold it.

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#163

Post by ars »

smegel wrote: post #104

> explodes on landing This is a pretty unfair characterization. It actually made the landing for most purposes, then a specific failure occurred - a leg failed to lock and it fell over. And yes, when a rocket falls over it will often explode.

> And yes, when a rocket falls over it will often explode.

Why? Why would a small hit make it explode, when the stress of going from orbit does not?

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#165

Post by jsprogrammer »

tetraodonpuffer wrote: post #56
jsumrall wrote: post #41

The rocket exploded because it fell over, not the other way around. Had one of the landing gears not malfunctioned, it would have been fine.

yeah, it feels the title this time should be rocket explodes AFTER landing, to give a better feeling of how close this was

It's not really a landing if the whole thing collapses and explodes right after touching the platform.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAqirNbwEc0/

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#166

Post by pazimzadeh »

sushirain wrote: post #162

Perhaps landing into a tank of non-corrosive liquid would prevent such collapses? Or on some kind of "glue"/alloy that quickly freezes. You can also have spearguns firing cords from the top of the rocket to the ground after landing, to hold it.

I was thinking that same thing. Maybe not water but some kind of non-conductive gel?

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#167

Post by jsprogrammer »

baq wrote: post #117
mikeash wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Explodes after landing" would be more accurate, I think.

and the "explosion" is borderline, it's very close to just "burns really fast", especially when you see what's left after the fire goes out: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CY8-PdyU0AABqaa.jpg:large (there's quite a lot of rocket left)

Borderline?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAqirNbwEc0/

Definitely an explosion.

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#168

Post by bobbles »

codecamper wrote: post #131

This is the second time something like this happened. Why not put 4 tall posts up - equidistant from each other - a square. Then a wire net between the posts. When it tips over, it can just fall into the wire net.... they could even have motors to unwind a little while it leans over on them to allow "soft catching" the rocket. Foam over the wires would help here. Actually... why not skip the barge & the dramatic land…

I guess if you optimised for a net 'landing' you'd also be losing the ability to realistically land anywhere you want, since you'd have to have a net there. learning this way would potentially open up any flat surface

Re: SpaceX Falcon rocket explodes on landing after delivering satellite to space

#170

Post by vulpes »

sushirain wrote: post #162

Perhaps landing into a tank of non-corrosive liquid would prevent such collapses? Or on some kind of "glue"/alloy that quickly freezes. You can also have spearguns firing cords from the top of the rocket to the ground after landing, to hold it.

One of the main stated goals of vertical landings is so they can do it on other planets/bodies. There are other proven methods of reuse when you have a benefit of an atmosphere and/or infrastructure.

A working vertical landing mode that can also be used on Mars, Moon and other objects in the solar system is one of the major mission at SpaceX. Shipping a giant vat of non-corrosive/conductive liquid to another planet does not appear viable.

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