SpaceX launched more than two tons of cargo to the International Space Station and also conducted an experiment in rocket recovery. <\/p>\n
The companys Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into the cloudy skies over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 3:25 p.m. ET, sending a robotic Dragon cargo capsule into orbit. <\/p>\n
The Dragon held nearly 5,000 pounds (2,200 kilograms) of supplies and equipment for the station, ranging from the legs for a space robot to a lettuce-growing experiment. This is the third cargo delivery under the terms of SpaceX's 12-flight, $1.6 billion contract with NASA. <\/p>\n
In addition to sending up the Dragon, SpaceX tested a landing system that could make it possible for future Falcons to return autonomously to a landing pad for reuse. <\/p>\n
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The Falcon's first stage was prepped to fire its engines for a soft splashdown and recovery from the Atlantic. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a pre-launch tweet that heavy seas were keeping the recovery ship from reaching the anticipated splashdown zone. <\/p>\n
After the launch, Musk reported via Twitter that the first stage executed a good re-entry burn and was able to stabilize itself on the way down. However, the rough seas were a problem. \"I wouldn't give high odds that the rocket was able to splash down successfully,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Later updates were more positive: \"Data upload from tracking plane shows landing in Atlantic was good! Several boats enroute through heavy seas,\" Musk tweeted. \"Flight computers continued transmitting for 8 seconds after reaching the water. Stopped when booster went horizontal.\" <\/p>\n
Recovering and reusing rockets are key parts of Musk's strategy for reducing the cost of spaceflight and eventually sending colonists to Mars. The South African-born Musk, whose net worth is estimated at more than $9 billion, is in charge of SpaceX as well as the Tesla electric-car company and the Solar City power-generation venture. <\/p>\n
Success after weeks of delay <\/p>\n
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SpaceX Launches Cargo to Space Station and Tries Rocket Recovery<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SpaceX launched more than two tons of cargo to the International Space Station and also conducted an experiment in rocket recovery. The companys Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into the cloudy skies over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 3:25 p.m Continue reading