SpaceX Video Confirms Soft Landing on Orbomm Flight

SpaceX released the following video of the first stage return on the July 14 Orbcomm mission. Early front runner for best short film of the year.

SpaceX Description

Published on Jul 22, 2014

Video of the Falcon 9 first stage reentry and landing following successful delivery of six ORBCOMM satellites to orbit. This test confirms that the Falcon 9 booster is able consistently to reenter from space at hypersonic velocity, restart main engines twice, deploy landing legs and touch down at near zero velocity.

After landing, the vehicle tipped sideways as planned to its final water safing state in a nearly horizontal position. The water impact caused loss of hull integrity, but we received all the necessary data to achieve a successful landing on a future flight. Going forward, we are taking steps to minimize the build up of ice and spots on the camera housing in order to gather improved video on future launches.

Note: For anyone and everyone who observed the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on Sunday with a pang of remorse over what has become of a nation which could achieve such a thing, fear not.  We’re on the way back.

Sarcastic note: Perhaps elected Representatives from Alabama and Colorado will want NASA and the Air Force to investigate this video too.  Tipping into the water is clearly an anomaly. That never happens on a ULA launch.