JCSAT-14 Falcon 9 first stage on droneship.
Coming in at twice the normal speed, four times the energy and eight times the heat, the first stage of the JCSAT-14 Falcon 9 landed on Of Course I Still Love You at 1:29am EDT May 6.
Against all expectations, the rocket safely landed after propelling JCSAT-14 and the rocket’s second stage on an orbital trajectory.
Due to the orbital requirements of the satellite, a successful ship landing was not expected. Falcon 9 burns more fuel and travels faster for GTO missions, forcing the booster to forgo a reentry burn. Three Merlin 1D engines were used for the landing burn instead of one in order to further decelerate the vehicle.
SpaceX teams are now securing the rocket to the deck of OCISLY in preparation for a return to Port Canaveral, expected sometime between Sunday and Monday evening.
While booster recovery is almost guaranteed with low-velocity, Low Earth Orbit missions, the chances of successful recovery following GTO missions is much lower. However, JCSAT-14 proves that it is indeed possible to perform high-velocity, high-risk landings, paving the way for even more booster reuse in the future.P/c: SpaceX.
(via maddeningscientist)
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