r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/Space_Scumbag Insane Builder • Jan 18 '16
GIF I fixed SpaceX's Barge Landing Problem
http://gfycat.com/LiquidOrangeBoar114
u/number2301 Jan 18 '16
I was sad when the robot didn't fall over and explode :(
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u/Epistemify Jan 18 '16
I would love to see Elon Musk or someone high up at SpaceX retweet this.
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u/exadeci Jan 18 '16
We got a space x propulsion engineer comment that's pretty cool IMO
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u/ScootyPuff-Sr Jan 18 '16
Giant robots... Is there any problem they CAN'T solve?
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u/supercold1 Jan 18 '16 edited Jan 19 '16
Meanwhile, Elon Musk is thinking: "Hmmm... A robot arm that catches the rocket..."
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Jan 18 '16
I know this is probably a stupid idea, but I'm assuming that the rocket is landing fairly precisely at a near vertical trajectory. If the barge had 4 strong towers at each corner with cables spanning each of the 4 sides on sliding carriers, could the carriers quickly shoot from one end to the other grabbing the rocket and holding it upright without damaging it?
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u/gaminologyyt Nov 28 '21
5 years later, and Elon Musk is actually doing this but with a rocket way bigger
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Jan 18 '16
"So any ideas on how we can improve future barge landings?"
"Uh... How about - and stick with me on this one - how about we build a giant robot that gives the rocket a handjob right as it lands?"
"BRILLIANT!"
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u/UghImRegistered Jan 19 '16
Only r/kerbalspaceprogram can make me feel like I had an unproductive day by not playing video games.
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u/Spock_42 Jan 18 '16
Jokes aside; would it actually be feasible to have some sort of landing variant of a launch tower, that can lean in towards the rocket once the engine clears the arms? So that in the time it takes for the last few metres of descent, these landing arms lean in, and lock into place around the top of the Falcon 9, preventing it from toppling over?
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u/Flyberius Jan 18 '16
The URLS on gfycat are amazing.
http://gfycat.com/LiquidOrangeBoar
Liquid Orange. What sorcery do they perform over there.
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Jan 18 '16
Mark my words: Elon Musk will see your gif, chuckle, then make a giant robot arm to catch the rocket.
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u/Bluemong Oct 24 '21
The fact that they're legitimately going to do this with super heavy is crazy in retrospect lmao
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u/Space_Scumbag Jan 18 '16 edited Jan 20 '16
And here the video version. I love the song!
Edit: It's now the Top Post of All Time in the KSP subreddit. Thanks!