SpaceX reusable launch system development program: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:28, 9 April 2013

Revision as of 13:43, 9 April 2013

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The '''SpaceX reusable rocket launching system'''<!-- there may be a better name in the future, but this is the name used in the Feb 2012 source -->

is ana set of [[Orbital spaceflight|orbital]] launch system [[technology|technologies]] being [[New product development|developed]] by [[SpaceX]] thatover willa bringnumber aof years in order to facilitate full and rapid reusability of [[outer space|space]] [[launch vehicle]]s. The [[private spaceflight|privately-funded]] development effort aims to bring a launch vehicle [[first stage]] back to the launch site in minutes — and a second stage back to the launch pad, following orbital realignment with the launch site and [[atmospheric entry|atmospheric reentry]], in up to 24 hours — with both stages designed to be available for reuse within "single-digit hours" after return.<ref name=pm20120207>

{{cite news |last=Simberg|first=Rand |title=Elon Musk on SpaceX’s Reusable Rocket Plans |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/rockets/elon-musk-on-spacexs-reusable-rocket-plans-6653023 |accessdate=2012-02-07 |newspaper=Popular Mechanics |date=2012-02-08 }}</ref>

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The reusable launch system technology is under consideration for both the [[Falcon 9]] and the [[Falcon Heavy]] [[launch vehicle]]s. It is particularly well suited to the Falcon Heavy where the two [[Modular rocket|outer cores]] separate from the rocket much earlier in the flight profile, and are therefore moving at slower velocity at stage separation.

If the technology is used on a reusable Falcon 9 rocket, the first stage separation would occur at {{convert|6|Mach|90,000|sigfigs=1}} rather than the much faster {{convert|10|Mach|115,000}} for an expendable Falcon 9, in order to provide the residual fuel necessary to complete the deceleration and turnaround maneuver, as well as the controlled descent and landing.<ref name=pm20120207/>

==History==