VIDEO: SpaceX Soft Lands Falcon 9 Rocket First Stage
By Space Coast Daily // July 23, 2014
ABOVE VIDEO: Footage of the Falcon 9 first stage reentry and landing following successful delivery of six ORBCOMM satellites to orbit. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on July 14.
RELATED: SpaceX Orbcomm Launch Lifts Off
After landing, the vehicle tipped sideways as planned to its final water safing state in a nearly horizontal position.
“The water impact caused loss of hull integrity, but we received all the necessary data to achieve a successful landing on a future flight,” said SpaceX officials.
“Going forward, we are taking steps to minimize the build up of ice and spots on the camera housing in order to gather improved video on future launches.
“This test confirms that the Falcon 9 booster is able consistently to re-enter from space at hypersonic velocity, restart main engines twice, deploy landing legs and touch down at near zero velocity.”
