History in the making

[RickK]

SpaceX has successfully launched and then landed the first stage of the rocket back where it launched, all by itself.  Happens at the 32 minute mark.  The rest of the mission was cool - seeing the satellites being deployed successfully.

[fitz73222]

I thought that was so incredible to nail that landing. We recently sold SpaceX some small metal diaphragms for testing (very thin corrugated round discs made from Inconel 718) that will be used for their first manned space flight to regulate pressure for an emergency back up oxygen system in the space suit. The engineer I was working with said in the next 2 years they're putting astronauts in space. So we're proud to be a part of it. 

[Capt. Bob]

Just like in the old sci fi movies, only real.

Makes you want to go out and buy a Tesla.

And he's right... next stop Mars cause who really wants to go to Jakku.

[RickK]

Yeah it looked like it was coming in way too fast and then it was over and it was standing - very cool.

[merkin222]

My buddy is a harbor pilot and worked on the SpaceX barge launches. I think he said they were shooting from 400 miles west of Jacksonville - the Devil's Armpit, he called it.

Glad to see team USA pushing the envelope in space again, even if it's in a private capacity. These guys really appear to have accomplished a quantum leap by getting that thing back down safely.

Anybody know a good tarpon guide on Mars?