SpaceX delivered on its primary mission, to propel the Jason 3 satellite into orbit. The secondary mission, a barge landing, didn’t go quite as planned.
The company attempted to livestream the event, but with fog reducing visibility and a signal loss during the first stage we instead watched a broken feed in anticipation of what was going on. When the stream returned, a SpaceX representative noted that the Falcon 9 came in “on target” but much harder than expected. This time, the rocket survived the fall but didn’t remain upright and may have broken a strut in the process.
This marks the third failed attempt at landing on a barge for SpaceX. Ocean landings are difficult in their own right, but today’s mission was compounded with 12 to 15 foot seas.
Overall though, the mission was a success. The Falcon 9 successfully lifted the Jason 3 satellite into orbit.
The <3 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
SpaceX’s next two launches are also said to require sea-based landings. The next, set to take place no earlier than February 6, will deliver the SES-9 communications satellite into geostationary orbit, then, a suppy mission to the International Space Station, scheduled no earlier than March 20.
Fingers crossed that the Falcon 9 has more success on the sea in one (or both) of its next two missions.
➤ SpaceX Falcon delivers NASA/NOAA satellite but has rough landing [Ars Technica]
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.