Question: Why is SpaceX trying to land a 1st stage rocket on a barge? Didn't we solve the 1st stage recovery problem with the shuttle program?

Basically, why not just follow NASA's route here and allow the 1st stage to splash down, then float it and tow it home like they did with the shuttle: https://youtu.be/Gbtulv0mnlU?t=1m41sThere must be a cost saving, but I'm not sure where it lies - I'd think that dragging all the extra fuel for landing aloft must be expensive. via

Question: Why is SpaceX trying to land a 1st stage rocket on a barge? Didn't we solve the 1st stage recovery problem with the shuttle program?

Basically, why not just follow NASA's route here and allow the 1st stage to splash down, then float it and tow it home like they did with the shuttle: https://youtu.be/Gbtulv0mnlU?t=1m41s

There must be a cost saving, but I'm not sure where it lies - I'd think that dragging all the extra fuel for landing aloft must be expensive.

Submitted April 16, 2015 at 09:47PM by osfoz

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