Watch a rocket land LIVE SUCCESSSSS

[Legend]

Today SpaceX is launching its Falcon 9 rocket to the ISS and attempting a landing shortly afterwards. Due to the payload being small and the ISS being low, this is a very easy launch with lots of fuel left over.

That means the rocket can use all of that fuel when landing. Means the chance of success is high!

So if you want to watch the second ever rocket landing live, today's the day!

Even though the rocket has enough fuel to return to Florida, the landing attempt will be at sea. We don't know why SpaceX opted to do this. Shouldn't be a problem though.

[DD_Bwest]

rofl im an idiot, i just posted in the science thread before i realized you made this one lol

my hypothesis for why they are gonna land on a drone ship is because of the planned falcon heavy test later in the year.  The central booster will be to far down range for RTLS, so they wanna get those sea landings nailed

[Xevross]

This is exciting! I'll follow keenly.

[Legend]

Hopefully video from the barge doesn't cut out too much this time.

rofl im an idiot, i just posted in the science thread before i realized you made this one lol

my hypothesis for why they are gonna land on a drone ship is because of the planned falcon heavy test later in the year.  The central booster will be to far down range for RTLS, so they wanna get those sea landings nailed

I feel like it's too early to think that way. SpaceX has only landed once so far, they need all the successful landings they can get.

Plus what if the rocket lands but later tips over on the barge? Just seems too cocky.

[DD_Bwest]

Hopefully video from the barge doesn't cut out too much this time.I feel like it's too early to think that way. SpaceX has only landed once so far, they need all the successful landings they can get.

Plus what if the rocket lands but later tips over on the barge? Just seems too cocky.

they have less than a year and they may want to know a few things before they put other plans forward, like an upgraded drone ship.   the only other reason i could think of why they wouldnt do RTLS is if FAA or range didnt give them a go for it.

[Legend]

[Legend]

30 minutes to go. All seems good.

Heh, apparently it's named after the Millennium Falcon.

[Legend]

Screen cap from the stern cam of droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" pic.twitter.com/4rGOJMTzVn

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2016

[Legend]

Webcast in OP is live!

[Legend]

OH GOSH LOOK AT THOSE WAVES

[Legend]

Launch so far good!

Nice and smooth

[Legend]

Quadcopter view this time!!!

[Legend]

SUCCESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Legend]

For the love of god don't tip over.

[DD_Bwest]

THEY fudgy DID IT!!!!!!!!!!