SpaceX Rocket Has Hard Landing After Dragon Launched to International Space Station
Dragon capsule is en route to ISS but rocket recycling test fumbles landing.
— -- SpaceX successfully sent its Dragon capsule on its way for a grocery run to the International Space Station, but a historic rocket recycling test was fumbled as it came barreling back toward Earth.
Elon Musk, the CEO of the private space company, tweeted that the third test to recycle a Falcon 9 rocket was not successful. While the rocket landed on its intended site, the impact was likely too hard for it to be salvaged, Musk said.
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It was the third attempt for SpaceX's rocket recycling test, that if successful could one day help significantly slash the costs of private space travel.
The first try barely missed its target, while the second attempt in inclement weather led to a fiery crash landing.
Having the ability to recycle rockets is something SpaceX founder Elon Musk said will "revolutionize access to space."
"If one can figure out how to effectively reuse rockets just like airplanes, the cost of access to space will be reduced by as much as a factor of a hundred," he said.
While SpaceX will have to try again, the successful launch of Dragon is good news for astronauts who can expect the capsule and its goodies to arrive at the International Space Station around 7 a.m. ET on Friday.
On board Dragon are more than 4,000 pounds of supplies, including science experiments, food and a Lavazza espresso machine especially developed for space.