Most Recently-Recovered Rocket May Not Be Able To Fly Again

SpaceX stuck the landing when it landed its most recent booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean, but this rocket may not be able to fly again.

USA Today reports that SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Twitter that the rocket suffered "max damage, due to v high entry velocity. Will be our life leader for ground tests to confirm others are good."

This particular booster was flown higher and faster than the two boosters previously recovered by SpaceX. It as traveling at more than 5,200 mph when it separated from the upper stage ... about 1,200 mph faster than the previous rockets. SpaceX said it experienced about five times as much heating from its reentry into the atmosphere as did the previous rockets because of its speed and altitude.

Now the company must work on improving the heat shielding on the boosters so that they can be quickly turned around without extensive refurbishment. That is the key to lowering the costs of space launches, which is at the core of SpaceX's business plan.

The next launch is planned for May 26, which will have a mission profile very similar to the most recent launch. Two more could follow in June.

SpaceX hopes it can fly its first mission with a previously-flown booster later this year.

(Image provided by SpaceX)

FMI: www.spacex.com