This was a landing failure of a booster after returning from it’s mission. Boosters have always been expendable one-and-done parts that would be jettisoned to burn up in the atmosphere. Boeing currently has no roadmap for reusable boosters, meanwhile SpaceX has launched this particular booster 23 times! These booster failures are extremely rare and any booster recovery for any space agency/company that isn’t SpaceX is notable. SpaceX is the only agency/company that has recovered and reused a booster, and they’ve done so hundreds of times.
…wikipedia.org/…/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heav…
Note there was 1 launch failure this year which was their first launch failure since 2016, almost 10 years with hundreds of launches between failures.
The last booster to be lost on a landing was in 2023 and not even a booster failure but simply rough seas:
First booster to fly for the 19th time. Despite the landing being initially successful, the booster later tipped over during transit due to rough seas, high winds and waves, the stage was unable to be secured to the deck for recovery and later tipped over and was destroyed in transit. SpaceX has already equipped newer Falcon boosters with upgraded landing legs that have the capability to self-level and mitigate this type of issue.
So in short, yes it is bad that a booster which shouldn’t have been lost was. But in terms of crew safety this isn’t a huge concern. SpaceX simply has an incredible track record for successful missions and has become the “safe” bet in aerospace
werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Don’t worry, I’m thinking about starting my own rocket company so we can go get them!
In our first year, I plan to deploy at least 3 fully functional 1/50th scale prototypes.
That’s really what sets us apart from the rest. Our commitment to 1/50th scale prototypes. I can’t wait, it’s going to be pretty sweet!
So, the plan is to launch a rocket carrying a thin string. The astronauts will reach out to catch said string. Then, they will pull a strong chain with the string so they can tie the space station to the chain. Then they will slowly climb down until reaching atmosphere. At the point they will jump with a parachute or continue climbing down slowly. It’s their choice.
a_wild_mimic_appears@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 months ago
somewhat relevant xkcd what-if: what-if.xkcd.com/157/
werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 4 months ago
That was phenomenal! 👏
MrNesser@lemmy.world 4 months ago
This must be that string theory u keep hearing about.
xavier666@lemm.ee 4 months ago
This is not string theory, this is string practical
werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 4 months ago
In theory. But you’re right, we’re gonna try and try hundreds of millions… “millions and millions” (of times) as someone smarter than me once said. But by gally (don’t know what that means) by gally we’ll do it! Even if it doesn’t ever work, we’ll do it! Because with practice comes…?
Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 4 months ago
Finally the kind of competition that can knock Conksat from it’s pedestal!