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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn The Falcon Heavy Launch - I Saw Two Of The Booster Rockets Return To Earth.....
and land. I thought there were supposed to be three rockets returning to earth and I've not seen nor heard of the third rocket successfully landing. Did it? Any pics?
samnsara
(17,635 posts)Ptah
(33,037 posts)marble falls
(57,204 posts)is a vulgar example of bread and circuses.
I've watched the landings repeatedly, they're better than science fiction. The car: meh.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I don't understand the people who are mad that in lieu of concrete ballast, a guy sent his car with a mannequin and made it fun.
global1
(25,270 posts)he got people interested in his launch and the future of space travel by including some fun marketing activities surrounding this launch.
Trump - does outlandish things every day - and he is applauded for his marketing genius.
Not fair.
TexasProgresive
(12,158 posts)marble falls
(57,204 posts)or science package for a small nation or university too poor to put one up and made it meaningful instead. Yes, I know the Tesla is headed to Mars, but science needs to get to Mars, too.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)This was a test flight. Why are you so mad that he made it fun?
Every other rocket that takes a test flight typically uses concrete ballast to simulate the weight of an actual multimillion dollar satellite without risking it should something go wrong.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,361 posts)(though, in the event, it's going to get well beyond - it seems like they allowed for a partial failure that didn't happen), but it was not aimed as Mars itself - you'd have to wait for just the right time of year to launch from Earth and get to Mars with a similar trajectory.
Since it was their first test of this configuration - with 2 booster rockets - there was a good chance it would go wrong - either at launch, or at shut-off and separation of the boosters. So there would be a high chance of losing whatever payload you take up.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Liberal In Texas
(13,574 posts)https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/06/spacex-falcon-heavy-center-core-lost/
At least Musk has a good attitude about it. But it seems they have some issues to work on for future launches.