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SpaceX's floating drone Spaceport; booster maneuvering grid fins
The floating drone spaceport can refuel and relaunch a landed stage back to the main spaceports landing pads after low propellant margin launches.
The grid fins are computer controlled low-drag maneuvering airfoils that aids in precision steering the stage for landings. Normally used in precision bombs, they work at both subsonic and supersonic velocities. 3D printed.
There will also be a slight redesign of Falcon 9's landing legs to improve their performance as air brakes, possibly showing up on flight 21. COTS-5 in December is flight 14. Their goal is to halve the stage's terminal velocity.
The grid fins are computer controlled low-drag maneuvering airfoils that aids in precision steering the stage for landings. Normally used in precision bombs, they work at both subsonic and supersonic velocities. 3D printed.
There will also be a slight redesign of Falcon 9's landing legs to improve their performance as air brakes, possibly showing up on flight 21. COTS-5 in December is flight 14. Their goal is to halve the stage's terminal velocity.
@elonmusk
Autonomous spaceport drone ship. Thrusters repurposed from deep sea oil rigs hold position within 3m even in a storm. http://t.co/wJFOnGdt9w
Base is 300 ft by 100 ft, with wings that extend width to 170 ft. Will allow refuel & rocket flyback in future.
Testing operation of hypersonic grid fins (x-wing config) going on next flight http://t.co/O1tMSIXxsT
Grid fins are stowed on ascent and then deploy on reentry for "x-wing" style control. Each fin moves independently for pitch/yaw/roll.
Autonomous spaceport drone ship. Thrusters repurposed from deep sea oil rigs hold position within 3m even in a storm. http://t.co/wJFOnGdt9w
Base is 300 ft by 100 ft, with wings that extend width to 170 ft. Will allow refuel & rocket flyback in future.
Testing operation of hypersonic grid fins (x-wing config) going on next flight http://t.co/O1tMSIXxsT
Grid fins are stowed on ascent and then deploy on reentry for "x-wing" style control. Each fin moves independently for pitch/yaw/roll.