Space
How SpaceX Reuses Falcon 9 Boosters, From Landing to Next Flight
Reusable boosters changed how often rockets fly. Here is how a Falcon 9 first stage gets back to Earth, what happens before its next launch and how Starship aims to go further.
Tag: Falcon 9
Space
Why Rocket Landings Cause Sonic Booms and Who Hears Them
Booster landings near Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg can rattle windows miles away. Here is what makes the noise, how far it carries and how to know when one is coming.
Science Explained
What Is Max Q? A Falcon 9 Launch Timeline Explained Step by Step
Launch webcasts call out Max Q, MECO, stage separation and the entry burn in quick succession. This is what each one means and roughly when it happens on a Falcon 9.
Science Explained
How Much Does a Rocket Launch Cost? Published Prices and Contracts
Launch prices are rarely posted in full. Here is what SpaceX and NASA have published, and why a NASA mission on the same rocket can cost far more than the list price.