spacex dragon capsule returns intact - huge success

[eagl]

This is a triumph

Huge success with spacex.  The dragon capsule returned for a safe splashdown, as planned.  The string of successes for this mission is absolutely amazing, including the unplanned but also totally successful engine shutdown and launch abort after main engine start during the first try.  That is going to really help get the system man-rated.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/05/spacex-dragon-splashes-down/

Wired has a decent writeup on how the mission concluded.

[AAJagerX]

I can't wait to see the progress that will be made now that private industry has had such a public success.  It's gonna be fun to watch.   

[TwinBoom]

is it just me or does hull looked smashed and cracked?

[F22RaptorDude]

Melted maybe?

[Maverick]

Re entry scorched it pretty good. The largish gash in the side is likely to be where the cables for the chutes were stored beneath the surface.

[SoonerMP]

Re entry scorched it pretty good. The largish gash in the side is likely to be where the cables for the chutes were stored beneath the surface.

Fired with explosives maybe?

[Sombra]

If they ever acomplish recovery of the rocket and capsule like you see in this animation, it will be beyond awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX2-qEC7P_I

[dedonarrival]

I agree SpaceX is a great thing but Im waiting for a "spaceship one" style vehicle to make the trip.  That sounds like a much safer way of returning through the atmosphere, safer than being a fireball!

Anybody remember the old show  Fireball XL5?   

[PR3D4TOR]

SpaceShipOne is in a totally different league. It top speed is just beyond 2,000 mph and barely makes a little vertical hop into space. To achieve low orbit you'll need more than 15,000 mph. Aerobraking down to a safe landing generates a lot of frictional heat, something the SpaceShipOne doesn't need to do since it isn't going very fast to begin with.