SpaceX is finally about to test the key element in its mission to revolutionize spaceflight
SpaceX
Landing the first stage of its rockets is the first step in SpaceX's journey toward drastically reducing the cost of spaceflight. By reusing these first stages, SpaceX estimates it could cut costs by as much as 30%.
SpaceX landed its first rocket on land in December. In April, for the first time ever, SpaceX managed to land at sea. The company has only been getting better at sea landings, nailing one on May 6 and another on May 27.
So naturally, the question is: When is SpaceX going to brush the dust off one of its rocket babies and send it on a second trip to space?
According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, one of these rockets could launch again as soon as this fall:
Fourth rocket arrives in the hangar. Aiming for first reflight in Sept/Oct. pic.twitter.com/TqW8d6Cc3U
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 7, 2016
This is a departure from Musk's initial announcement that SpaceX would put these reusable rockets to the test as early as May or June. But it's probably best not to cut corners, especially when attempting something as ambitious as relaunching a rocket for the first time ever.
Eventually, SpaceX believes it can reduce the turnaround time of these rockets to a few weeks, The Verge reports, making spaceflight both cheaper and speedier.
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