On the descent of the fairings into the atmosphere how is stability provided?
Why does it not start to rotate in a uncontrollable fall but reenter gently without apparently damage on the interior side?
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Q: "On the descent of the fairings into the atmosphere how the stability is provided? Does not start to rotate in a uncontrollable fall but reentry gently without apparently damages on the interior side.".
Source Elon Musk InstaGram:
A: "It has onboard thrusters and a guidance system to bring it through the atmosphere intact, then releases a parafoil and our ship, named Mr. Steven, with basically a giant catcher’s mitt welded on, tries to catch it.".
Inside view:
The "catcher's mitt" ship Mr. Steven:
Like peanut butter on toast, it lands heavy side down; and not where you want it:
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2$\begingroup$ That is a great answer, and good jokes, completely in context! +1 $\endgroup$– geoffcFeb 25, 2018 at 0:08
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$\begingroup$ @geoffc - Thanks, but there's better jokes here: space.stackexchange.com/questions/24217/… $\endgroup$– RobFeb 25, 2018 at 0:40
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$\begingroup$ @Rob I'm all for foodthroporphizing spacecraft and their components; If not constrained by underpasses, etc., would Falcon 9 have been less of a flying noodle? $\endgroup$– uhohFeb 25, 2018 at 5:48
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$\begingroup$ @Rob interesting photo of the fairing in the water. Was that still reuseable? $\endgroup$– SlartyMar 10, 2018 at 20:46
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$\begingroup$ @Slarty - AFAIK it landed that way and was recovered floating, so stuff inside would be OK but the outside might not meet some Standards after contacting sea water. $\endgroup$– RobMar 10, 2018 at 21:08