SpaceX Aims For 2009 Re-usability Demo
Aviation Week
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) hopes to recover the spent first stage of its Falcon 1 launcher as early as the upcoming fifth test flight, says CEO and chief technical officer Elon Musk.
The successful recovery of the used first stage is an important milestone for SpaceX, which is determined to reduce the cost of access to space in part by increasing the re-usability of rocket sections. The second stage also is designed to be recovered, though this is a more serious technical challenge, Musk says.
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There’s been a long debate about the relative cost merits of reusable vs. expendable in the launch business. Reusing stages sounds great but the refurbishment and recertification of those items ready to boost the next expensive spacecraft into space is still challenging. Still, it’s encouraging that Musk has focused attention on smaller, more visionary companies in the space launch business.