SpaceX Recovers Payload Fairings Using Parafoils | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.20.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.21.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.15.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.16.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.17.24

Tue, Jun 05, 2018

SpaceX Recovers Payload Fairings Using Parafoils

Recovery Occurred In The Pacific Ocean Following Iridium-6/GRACE-FO Launch

SpaceX has released high-quality photos of the recovery of the payload fairings that protected the Iridium-6/GRACE-FO satellite during launch on May 22.

In a Tweet, SpaceX said that "Falcon 9 fairing halves deployed their parafoils and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean last week after the launch of Iridium-6/GRACE-FO. Closest half was ~50m from SpaceX’s recovery ship, Mr. Steven."

The launch parameters did not allow for the recovery of the Falcon 9 booster that carried the satellite into orbit.

The recovery is another step towards more complete reusability of SpaceX rocket components. The technology may also be used to recover orbital upper stages on future missions. It may also be possible for SpaceX to capture payload fairings before they land in the water.

Building the payload fairings is a labor and time intensive process, and the ability to reuse the fairings will help SpaceX decrease turnaround times and accomplish a more aggressive launch schedule.

(Image provided by SpaceX)

FMI: Original report

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.19.24): Back-Taxi

Back-Taxi A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.19.24)

“Our WAI members across the nation are grateful for the service and sacrifice of the formidable group of WASP who served so honorably during World War II. This group of brave>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.20.24)

“Many aspiring pilots fall short of their goal due to the cost of flight training, so EAA working with the Ray Foundation helps relieve some of the financial pressure and mak>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.20.24): Blind Speed

Blind Speed The rate of departure or closing of a target relative to the radar antenna at which cancellation of the primary radar target by moving target indicator (MTI) circuits i>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.20.24)

Aero Linx: International Airline Medical Association (IAMA) The International Airline Medical Association, formerly known as the Airline Medical Directors Association (AMDA) was fo>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC