SpaceX CRS-3 Falcon 9 First Stage to Sport Legs and Attempt Soft Splashdown
SpaceX is expected to take another leap towards the full reusability of their Falcon 9 launch vehicle next month, when the rocket’s first stage will be commanded back to Earth for a soft touchdown on water. The CRS-3/SpX-3 Falcon 9 v1.1 will also debut landing legs on its aft for the first time, according to SpaceX Co-Founder Tom Mueller.
The next launch of the Falcon 9 v1.1 is scheduled for March 16, tasked with lofting the CRS-3/SpX-3 Dragon – for the first time on the upgraded rocket – en route to the International Space Station (ISS).
Launching from SpaceX’s launch site at Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex -40 (SLC-40), the Falcon 9 v1.1 will be conducting its fourth launch since being upgraded, its third from SLC-40.
