(NGC) - WOW! Space X new landing system.

[Gliderjohn]

For the heavy booster. If this works as they hope this will be another significant breakthrough.
https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2021/01/spacex-will-catch-super-heavy-booster-with-launch-tower-arm.html?fbclid=IwAR2v-rFmSaEt6_Ko69wQv9lVZnbaZWdARpw2-vbnxvg-W7cJcdyd0W3tNYA
GliderJohn

[Motormike]

Seems overly complex to me, but then, I'm no aerospace engineer.  The whole thing is starting to remind me of the "feeding machine" in Chaplin's "Modern Times" movie.

[ozarquebus]

Good idea. No reason to schlep the landing gear and not much harder than sticking a landing.

[LowRyter]

The landing gear is quite heavy and reduces payload capacity as well as  the cost and maintenance of the landing gear itself.  Whether it makes sense ?

[Gliderjohn]

What I find as amazing as this landing system is the goal of having it ready for another mission in one hour. Must be training some NASCAR crews. The next 10 years or so in general are going to be very interesting concerning technology advancements.
GliderJohn

[LowRyter]

What I find as amazing as this landing system is the goal of having it ready for another mission in one hour. Must be training some NASCAR crews. The next 10 years or so in general are going to be very interesting concerning technology advancements.
GliderJohn

sounds pretty crazy to refuel and new payload and shoot.  I wonder what the fatigue cycles intervals and inspection criteria might be for a booster?

[Darren Williams]

I love the philosophy of Musk/SpaceX, "test and iterate". Pushing the envelope, stretching the boundary, no fear.

[ozarquebus]

You can take bigger risks with no jockeys in the saddle.