Quick! Tune in!
SpaceX is about to attempt something pretty historic: launching a rocket in such a way that much of it can be reused in later launches.
If successful, this launch will head up to the International Space Station, drop off a bunch of supplies, then a controlled fall will bring it back to earth with a set of extendable legs deployed.
Even if the legs deploy properly, the landing is aimed for the water… which the legs can’t actually stand up on. This is more about testing to make sure the process works than trying to actually get this thing to make a perfect landing, but it’s still damned neat to watch.
I’ve embedded both NASA and SpaceX’s stream below, because each offers some pretty amazing angles and insight. If you watch both simultaneously, you probably want to mute one or the other.
Update – 12:26: The rocket launched on schedule at 12:25 p.m. pacific, and is currently en route to the ISS.
NASA’s Stream:
Live streaming video by Ustream
SpaceX’s Stream:
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