SpaceX prepares to launch its first used rocket

Pilgrim said:
It should be less than on an unproven flight, at least we know that rocket can get to space and return in one piece, cannot say that of many others ;)
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True but I wonder how they test for the previous stresses or micro fractures etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for it but it would certainly be a concern, being a first and all.
 
Kosmik said:
True but I wonder how they test for the previous stresses or micro fractures etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for it but it would certainly be a concern, being a first and all.
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Naturally, I expect they went over that rocket with lots of care and were happy with what they found. They were designed from the first for reuse, so they should be in great condition after landing (compared to a disposable rocket)
 
http://www.seattletimes.com/busines...of-wright-brothers-moment-with-reused-rocket/

The reused rocket was first flown in April with the CRS-8 mission, a cargo resupply mission to the space station.

If Wednesday’s launch goes off without a hitch — and the rocket booster is once again recovered on the drone ship — SES will get its own piece of spaceflight history as a memento.

“Gwynne has promised us parts of the rocket,” Halliwell said. “We want them for the SES board room.”
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Used parts from the first rocket to ever launch twice, priceless!
 
Pilgrim said:
Naturally, I expect they went over that rocket with lots of care and were happy with what they found. They were designed from the first for reuse, so they should be in great condition after landing (compared to a disposable rocket)
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Agreed but no matter what, it is a first so the chance for variables to go wrong is incalculable. I'm not saying they haven't done due diligence but it certainly a wing and prayer moment to.
 
Recovering and refurbishing the used rocket booster that’s scheduled to fly again on Wednesday took SpaceX roughly four months, President Gwynne Shotwell said on a panel at an industry conference in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Eventually, that turnaround time will drop to a single day as the company aims to reuse rockets much in the way airplanes operate today.

“I think Elon’s given us 24 hours, maybe, to get done what we need to get done, and it’s not a million people around a rocket scurrying like a beehive or an anthill,” said Shotwell. “That vehicle needs to be designed to be reflown right away.”
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Looks like they want to be able to refly it very quickly, must be an amazing engineering challenge, would love to know how many problems they have had to solve while making this a reality
 
Articles related to March 16th ???
....maybe not
 
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Well if it is one of those landing rockets it'll be its 3rd major burn. Landing is launching.
 
Kosmik said:
If it confirms, no reason why not. Every use drives down the cost.
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No, it will have more "milestone" value, see this quote: “Gwynne has promised us parts of the rocket,” Halliwell said. “We want them for the SES board room.”

Edit: Then again, maybe just a few of the parts that need to be replaced, it does not mean that the entire rocket will be taken apart
 
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Pilgrim said:
No, it will have more "milestone" value, see this quote: “Gwynne has promised us parts of the rocket,” Halliwell said. “We want them for the SES board room.”
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True, PR would be great for all involved but I meant the tech in general.
 
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