SpaceX is planning to use a giant net — one so immense that it takes up the majority of a high-speed watercraft named Mr. Steven — to catch reusable gear that falls back to Earth after missions to outer space.
If the huge net successfully catches the SpaceX gear, it could save the company about $5 million per launch.
In particular, the giant net is designed to catch the payload fairings, also known as the nose-cone halves. During the Feb. 6 mission, the payload fairings held the now-famous midnight-cherry Tesla Roadster and its driver, a mannequin known as Starman.
According to SeaTran, the company that owns Mr. Steven, the vessel is 205 feet (62 meters) long, can travel up to 32 knots (36.8 mph, or about 59 km/h) and has a deck measuring 136 feet by 27 feet (41 by 8 m). It's not clear why the 2015 watercraft is named Mr. Steven (SeaTran didn't immediately respond to a request for comment), but other vessels in the company's fleet have similar names, including Lady Eve, Mr. Mason, Miss Claire and, amusingly, Greater Scott.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 mission is scheduled for Wednesday (Feb. 21). The payload fairing from that mission will have geotagged parachutes that will guide it to the Pacific Ocean, where Mr. Steven will attempt to catch it, according to TechCrunch.
I'm curious how effective this will be for heavier items.
When I looked at the boat, it seems the net is stretched over a deck. That would limit the weight/mass of the item that can be caught.
I guess the real test is to see if the boat can get to the right place in time.
If so, a different arrangement could be designed for heavier intercepts. Like a pontoon system with the net stretched over open sea below it. That way the water absorbs some of the force but the target slows considerably first.
Could prove valuable for sample return missions too.
Edited by
Tom4Uhere
on Wed 02/21/18 08:54 AM
