Re:SpaceX returns to flight with Falcon 9 rocket launch
by caconym_ on Saturday January 14, 2017 @10:22PM
(#13402117)
One thing others haven't mentioned is that the Falcon 9 is probably something like 10x the empty mass (or more) than the vehicle Blue Origin has demonstrated. As others have said, it's also going higher and much faster, and accomplishing the landing in addition to (and secondary to) launching a real commercial payload into orbit, which AFAIK Blue Origin has never done.
Blue Origin's accomplishments (especially their engine designs) are nothing to sneeze at, but SpaceX is currently in a completely different league. The fact that they have to land on a barge is a result of how scaled and practical their technology is; that they succeed in doing so is an unprecedented achievement in launch vehicle technology.
Blue Origin's accomplishments (especially their engine designs) are nothing to sneeze at, but SpaceX is currently in a completely different league. The fact that they have to land on a barge is a result of how scaled and practical their technology is; that they succeed in doing so is an unprecedented achievement in launch vehicle technology.