After a successful Falcon Heavy rocket, SpaceX for the first time managed to catch part of the nose cone. The structure detached from the hull and smoothly glided back to the surface of the Earth, where it was caught in a special net installed on the boat.
The rocket nose fairing is a convex structure that protects the satellites on board during the initial climb. While in outer space, the fairing is separated into two parts, each of which returns to the surface of the planet. Usually such parts are not suitable for reuse. However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was interested in finding a way to catch parts of the fairing before they enter the sea water, which adversely affects the rocket element.
To achieve this goal, the company purchased a boat called "Ms. Tree” (original name Mr. Steven) and equipped the ship with four beams, between which a giant net was stretched. Each half of the fairing is equipped with a guidance system that allows you to return to Earth, as well as compact engines and special parachutes used to control the descent.
One of Mr. Steven's final West Coast fairing tests before shipping out for the East Coast. Wait for it ...
- SpaceX (@SpaceX)
Such a fairing catching system has been tested by the company since the beginning of last year, but so far it has not been possible to catch a single part of the fairing, although many of them were fished out of the water after landing. Now, for the first time ever, the company has succeeded in catching part of the cone before it hits the water.
In the future, the fairing will be tested for suitability for use in a restart. Since the part did not touch water, it can be assumed that SpaceX specialists will be able to repair the hardware components of the panel for further use. If in the future the company continues to catch the returned elements of missiles in the network, then this approach will save a lot of money.
Source: 3dnews.ru