The successful in-flight capture of the SpaceX Super Heavy booster on its launch pad is a major step forward toward reusability of this very large and expensive stage. The idea of catching the vehicle and suspending it in the air isn’t new. In the mid-1950s, the Ryan X-13 Vertijet demonstrated a similar system, dangling a small jet aircraft from an extendable cable, mounted on a hydraulically erectable platform.
The benefits then were like the advantages that SpaceX predicts for their much larger system, faster turnaround and weight savings by deleting landing gear. The Ryan X-13 program failed, both because of the inadequacy of jet engines of that time, and a lack of a real need for the capability. But for SpaceX, the applications for low-cost heavy lift to orbit are just beginning.
* * *
engineering.com TV:
Watch in-depth engineering videos made for the engineering professional and found exclusively on engineering.com TV:
Panel Expert Roundtables:
For the Design Engineer:
For the Manufacturing Engineer:
* * *
STEM GAMES:
Play some fun engineering-based STEM games on engineering.com:
* * *
#spacex #superheavy #ryanvertijet
Музыка
Фильмы
ТВ Шоу
Категории видео
