> On 22 Dec 2015, at 15:31, Hilaire <[email protected]> wrote: > > Le 22/12/2015 14:02, Sven Van Caekenberghe a écrit : >> This is a really great achievement: SpaceX successfully launched a rocket >> and deployed 11 satellites after failing earlier this year. But best of all, >> they landed the first stage back on earth! Consider the actual physics >> involved, mind boggling. >> >> http://www.wired.com/2015/12/spacex-just-landed-rocket-ground-first-time/ >> >> http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/12/by-making-a-historic-landing-spacex-launches-new-age-of-spaceflight/ >> >> Sven >> >> >> >> > It is a nice achievement indeed. However not sure it is a good idea on > the long term. > The main idea behind the Space shuttle was planed to be cheaper with > reusable components: it proves to be both more expensive and less safe. > Time will tell us.
Yes, you are right, they still have to prove they can safely and economically reuse them. But each time throwing away the main stage including a bunch of very expensive rocket engines is not very scaleable either. And agreed, the Space Shuttle's cost/performance is hard to judge, still they flew 135 missions using 4/5 vehicles, making important things possible in space. But it sadly enough did not end well. It is fair to say that space is pretty hard. > Hilaire > > -- > Dr. Geo > http://drgeo.eu > http://google.com/+DrgeoEu > > >
