Landing a rocket

Summary: In case your Twitter feed was not just lighting up as much as mine was, Space X just made space history. In the upgrade to their Falcon 9 rocket, the booster did more than just separate, it landed itself back on earth, right where it was supposed to.

In a beautiful video, I just watched a great ball of fire slowly descend to the landing pad and then fade out to reveal a booster rocket standing as straight as you please. Absolutely incredible. The whole of mission control was throwing a party. 

The rest of the rocket went on to deploy six more satellites to complete the constellation arrangement. 

I'll update this post with a link to the video of the launch and further details as I get them.

SpaceX launch video (I suggest starting at about 21:00)
The above link will also give more mission details.

Background on the launch

Long exposure of the launch and landing of the rocket

    
The booster rocket safely on the landing pad

Falcon Launch

Summary: Space X's new Falcon 9 rocket launched this Sunday. It is carrying Canada's Cassiope research satellite, designed to study the sun's interaction with the Earth's atmosphere. This is also the first time it has launched at Vandenburg in California instead of at Cape Canaveral.



BBC News


Unrelated: Brian Cox is beginning a new documentary series called Science Britannica that is spectacular thus far.

Upcoming Science news

Hank Green made a wonderful video outlining exciting space events in this upcoming year including new launches, rare eclipses, and comets. Check it out!

http://youtu.be/AfQdi07LNF8


(100 posts!)

Space X update

Summary: Space X expects to be able to ferry astronauts to the ISS by 2015.


BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20964826

Dragon in flight

Summary: SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral, FL earlier tonight. It's mission is to dock with the ISS and deliver cargo and other necessary supplies. If all goes well, SpaceX will continue to be a space taxi for NASA. I'm excited to see how this goes. The docking will be streamed live on NASA.gov or on their ustream page.


BBC News: ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19867358

Also follow the mission on twitter @SpaceX