rocket landing articles

How does the SpaceX rocket return to Earth?

How does the SpaceX rocket return to Earth?

The process by which a massive, first-stage rocket booster from a SpaceX launch vehicle returns to Earth is a marvel of ...

Where do rocket boosters usually land?

Where do rocket boosters usually land?

The final resting place of a rocket booster is not a singular location; rather, it is a decision dictated by the vehicle...

Why can't rockets be electric?

Why can't rockets be electric?

The fundamental challenge behind powering a rocket entirely with electricity for liftoff isn't a matter of impossibility...

What is a meteor that has landed on the ground?

What is a meteor that has landed on the ground?

The object that completes a fiery passage through the atmosphere and actually comes to rest on the ground is officially ...

Has any human landed on the dark side of the moon?

Has any human landed on the dark side of the moon?

The Moon’s geography often leads to a fundamental misunderstanding regarding human exploration: the concept of the so-ca...

Is rocket fuel good for the environment?

Is rocket fuel good for the environment?

The plumes rising from rocket launches introduce a unique suite of chemicals directly into the upper layers of the atmos...

Does rocket fuel burn clean?

Does rocket fuel burn clean?

The question of what rocket fuel "burns clean" isn't a simple yes or no; it’s a complex chemical accounting exercise pla...

Is the SpaceX starship the biggest rocket ever?

Is the SpaceX starship the biggest rocket ever?

The sheer scale of SpaceX’s Starship fully stacked on its launch mount represents a significant departure from previous ...

Do SpaceX rockets have self-destruct?

Do SpaceX rockets have self-destruct?

The concept of a self-destruct mechanism on a rocket, often framed dramatically in science fiction, translates in the re...

How big is Elon Musk's rocket?

How big is Elon Musk's rocket?

The sheer scale of Elon Musk’s rockets has long been a talking point, but when discussing the *biggest* of the bunch—the...

What happens to the rocket after it releases the satellite?

What happens to the rocket after it releases the satellite?

The moment a satellite separates from its launch vehicle marks the culmination of years of engineering, yet it’s merely ...

How are rockets able to return to Earth safely?

How are rockets able to return to Earth safely?

The seemingly simple act of bringing a multi-ton machine from orbital velocity back to a gentle stop on Earth is one of ...

What is the most reliable rocket in the world?

What is the most reliable rocket in the world?

Determining the single "most reliable" rocket in the world is less about finding a definitive historical record and more...

Does Jeff Bezos have a rocket?

Does Jeff Bezos have a rocket?

The answer to whether Jeff Bezos possesses a rocket is complex, but fundamentally, yes—through the aerospace company he ...

Do rockets use fuel in space?

Do rockets use fuel in space?

The simple answer to whether rockets still need fuel once they are already in the vast emptiness of space is an emphatic...

How many planets have we landed rovers on?

How many planets have we landed rovers on?

The count for planetary surfaces visited by robotic wheeled vehicles designed to roam is surprisingly small. To date, hu...

What planets have humans landed probes on?

What planets have humans landed probes on?

The human endeavor to send robotic envoys beyond Earth has resulted in a surprisingly small number of confirmed *landing...

Why did Russia not land a man on the Moon?

Why did Russia not land a man on the Moon?

The successful landing of American astronauts on the Moon in July 1969 marked a defining moment of the 20th century, yet...