This article was published on March 21, 2011

Ever Wonder How NASA Recovers Its Rocket Boosters?


Ever Wonder How NASA Recovers Its Rocket Boosters?

When you watch one of NASA’s shuttle launches, it’s difficult to not be impressed by the sheer scale of the shuttle, let alone the rocket boosters that are attached to its underside.

When the shuttle is about to leave the Earth’s atmosphere, the boosters are jettisoned and left to fall back into the Ocean. We have always wondered what happens to them after they are disconnected from the shuttle – luckily for us, NASA has posted a 12-minute video to its YouTube channel showing us exactly how the boosters are recovered and brought back to land.

It’s only when you see one poking out the top of the water that you realise just how big the boosters are – fast forward to 1:40 for the start of the recovery.

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Also tagged with