SpaceX shoots for launch to station, rocket landing on barge

[Buster's Uncle]

SpaceX shoots for launch to station, rocket landing on barge
SpaceX shoots for supply launch to space station, unprecedented rocket landing on ocean barge
Associated Press
By Marcia Dunn, AP Aerospace Writer  40 minutes ago



CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- SpaceX is making another supply run to the International Space Station for NASA. But it's the rocket's return — not its takeoff — that has space fans talking.

Minutes after Tuesday morning's planned launch from Cape Canaveral, the first stage of the unmanned Falcon rocket will aim for a vertical test landing on a barge in the Atlantic. The California company has attempted such landings on the open sea, but never on a platform like this.

SpaceX chief Elon Musk predicts a 50-50 chance of success at best. He says flying back boosters would allow them to be reused and save money.

NASA's previous delivery attempt by Orbital Sciences ended in a launch explosion in October. Researchers who lost experiments in the accident hustled to get replacements on this flight.


http://news.yahoo.com/spacex-shoots-launch-station-rocket-195249884.html