Comments on: The Falcon has landed https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bowser https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34783 bowser Wed, 23 Dec 2015 21:14:07 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34783 Well done! 4.0. Well done! 4.0.

]]> By: mcfly https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34761 mcfly Tue, 22 Dec 2015 23:31:50 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34761 I think this is what we're getting instead of flying cars I think this is what we’re getting instead of flying cars

]]> By: podrock https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34753 podrock Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:36:00 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34753 Not only on this planet, but landing on others. Not only on this planet, but landing on others.

]]> By: ER https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34751 ER Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:15:32 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34751 I think you answered before I finished typing. I'm curious how the trade-offs are calculated. I think you answered before I finished typing. I’m curious how the trade-offs are calculated.

]]> By: TB https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34750 TB Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:11:27 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34750 Eventually, full reusability of orbital launch systems. Eventually, full reusability of orbital launch systems.

]]> By: ER https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34749 ER Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:01:07 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34749 What's the advantage? I realize that this allows the rocket to be re-used, but it also has to be designed to be used multiple times. I would imagine that the design characteristics of a system that can be used many times would be much more demanding than those of one which only need work right once. And I suppose the recovered vehicle would still require an intense and expensive overhaul and refit before it could fly again. Isn't this what killed the shuttle? Also, how much does the ability to use rocket power to slow down require additional hardware, and lots of extra fuel that must be carried aloft? I imagine other means are needed to help slow it down--parachutes, atmospheric braking, etc. I agree a re-usable vehicle has cost advantages, but where do you draw the line? There's much to be said for "disposable", especially if it means a whole lot "simpler". What’s the advantage?

I realize that this allows the rocket to be re-used, but it also has to be designed to be used multiple times. I would imagine that the design characteristics of a system that can be used many times would be much more demanding than those of one which only need work right once. And I suppose the recovered vehicle would still require an intense and expensive overhaul and refit before it could fly again. Isn’t this what killed the shuttle?

Also, how much does the ability to use rocket power to slow down require additional hardware, and lots of extra fuel that must be carried aloft? I imagine other means are needed to help slow it down–parachutes, atmospheric braking, etc.

I agree a re-usable vehicle has cost advantages, but where do you draw the line? There’s much to be said for “disposable”, especially if it means a whole lot “simpler”.

]]> By: TB https://www.habitablezone.com/2015/12/21/the-falcon-has-landed/#comment-34748 TB Tue, 22 Dec 2015 03:47:56 +0000 https://www.habitablezone.com/?p=54026#comment-34748 <p>A time exposure shot:</p> Launch, re-entry burn, and landing burn. <img src="http://habitablezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015-12-21_Time-Exposure-Falcon9-Launch-reentry-burn-landing.jpg" alt="" width="600" /> Falcon landed: <img src="http://habitablezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015-12-21_Falcon-Landed.jpg" alt="" width="300" /> A time exposure shot:

Launch, re-entry burn, and landing burn.

Falcon landed:

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