SpaceX, fresh from its successful recovery of a rocket stage following the launch of 11 satellites on Dec. 21, plans to attempt a risky ocean drone ship recovery on Jan. 17. The recovery would follow the launching of a NASA satellite, known as Jason-3, that will be used to monitor global sea levels
The launch aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for 1:42 p.m. ET on Jan. 17 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, with a backup launch opportunity occurring on the morning of Jan. 18, according to NASA
SpaceX has tried and failed to recover a stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on a drone ship (which is basically a barge with a landing platform) at least three times before. Its test landing on dry land, which is an arguably easier accomplishment considering the lack of waves at the landing pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, was successful and marked a new era in spaceflight Read more…
