
Would you ride this rocket? Space X nails rocket launch -- and landing on a barge in the ocean
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Space X faced a crucial flight of their Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday and they managed to turn in a successful launch. The rocket was launched from Vandenburg Air Force Base on the California Central coast, then it landed on a barge floating in the Pacific with an incredible degree of accuracy.

Space X launches a rocket from Vandenburg AFB in California.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
1/19/2017 (8 years ago)
Published in Technology
Keywords: Space X, rocket, launch, landing, Just Read the Instructions
LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- The Falcon 9 rocket launched on Saturday, January 14, at 9:54 AM with a payload of 10 Iridium satellites, which is a mobile data company.
The launch took place in clear, blue skies. The rocket ascended to altitude, and staged as planned. The first stage then began its return to Earth while the second stage continued on to deliver a payload of 10 satellites to orbit.
The first stage descent was controlled. The stage descended back into the atmosphere and targeted the Space X landing drone barge, "Just Read the Instructions."

After the rocket soared off into the sky, the two sections separated, as planned, sending satellites into orbit and the rocket's stage back to Earth (SpaceX).
The stage took aim at the barge, and fired its motor just before touchdown. The landing was picture perfect and represents a major success for Space X.

Two-stage rocket lifting from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA (SpaceX).
Space X needed the success. A failure last September raised skepticism over Space X's ability to launch and land their rockets. In that explosion, a $200 million satellite for Facebook was destroyed. In 2015, Space X lost a mission to the Space Station due to an explosion. Space X does have a record of reliability and success, but any high-profile failures will raise skepticism.

The rocket landed back on its droneship after shooting ten Iridium satellites into orbit (SpaceX).
If Space X can continue to make successful landings, they may soon be trusted to launch manned missions to the Space Station and beyond.
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