Stunning Images (and Video) of SpaceX’s Near Landing on Drone Ship

This may be the most encouraging image of a rocket explosion in the history of the Space Age.

A new series of tweets by Elon Musk show photos of the returning SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage hitting Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship at a 45 degree angle during its oh so close landing attempt which too place as part of the CRS-5 mission to ISS on January 10th.

Update: SpaceX has now released looping video on Vine

@ID_AA_Carmack Before impact, fins lose power and go hardover. Engines fights to restore, but … pic.twitter.com/94VDi7IEHS

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2015

@ID_AA_Carmack Rocket hits hard at ~45 deg angle, smashing legs and engine section pic.twitter.com/PnzHHluJfG

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2015

@ID_AA_Carmack Residual fuel and oxygen combine pic.twitter.com/5k07SP8M9n

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2015

@ID_AA_Carmack Full RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly) event. Ship is fine minor repairs. Exciting day! pic.twitter.com/tIEctHFKHG

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2015

SpaceX’s next launch attempt will take place as soon as January 29th.

In other news, sales of Xanax just spiked in Decatur, Alabama and Evry-Courcouronnes, France.