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Tue, Jun 05, 2018

SpaceX Recovers Payload Fairings Using Parafoils

Recovery Occurred In The Pacific Ocean Following Iridium-6/GRACE-FO Launch

SpaceX has released high-quality photos of the recovery of the payload fairings that protected the Iridium-6/GRACE-FO satellite during launch on May 22.

In a Tweet, SpaceX said that "Falcon 9 fairing halves deployed their parafoils and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean last week after the launch of Iridium-6/GRACE-FO. Closest half was ~50m from SpaceX’s recovery ship, Mr. Steven."

The launch parameters did not allow for the recovery of the Falcon 9 booster that carried the satellite into orbit.

The recovery is another step towards more complete reusability of SpaceX rocket components. The technology may also be used to recover orbital upper stages on future missions. It may also be possible for SpaceX to capture payload fairings before they land in the water.

Building the payload fairings is a labor and time intensive process, and the ability to reuse the fairings will help SpaceX decrease turnaround times and accomplish a more aggressive launch schedule.

(Image provided by SpaceX)

FMI: Original report

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