SpaceX makes history with the first-ever orbital rocket landing
This monumental moment marks a critical milestone that SpaceX has been working toward for years and could pave the way for a new era of spaceflight that runs on reusable rockets — rockets that can fly more than once.
Orbital rockets are the most powerful type of rocket there is because they generate enough speed and power to send payloads into orbit around Earth, hence "orbital." These orbits can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of miles above the surface.
Orbital rockets are key to SpaceX's eventual goal of transporting people to deep-space destinations like Mars, and then bringing them back home.
The immediate benefit of reusable rockets is a drastic decrease in the cost of spaceflight. But the long-term advantage is even more exciting: A fleet of reusable rocket could be used to land on Mars to then launch astronauts off the Martian surface on their way back to Earth.
The next step for SpaceX is to refuel this exact rocket and become the first aerospace company in history to launch a used rocket back to space. When SpaceX plans to reuse this rocket is unclear.
http://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-landed-its-rocket-for-the-first-time-2015-12
정말이지 대단하다는 생각...
또 한편으로 이들이 이렇게 시도할 수 있었던 개인적 능력과 사회적 원동력이 매우 부럽다.
이렇게 장기적이고 고비용이 투입되어야 하는 프로젝트가 민간의 힘으로 성공할 수 있는 것은 보통의 일이 아니다. 축적의 시간이라는 책을 읽으면서 느꼈던 우리나라에 부족하다 판단되던 부분.. 바로 장기적이고 도전적인 사회적 풍토.. 이 부분을 미국은 너무나도 잘 지켜가고 있는 모습이다.
