The Falcon rocket has just delivered a satellite into orbit called Jason-3 that is capable of measuring the shape of the Earth’s seas to an accuracy of less than 4 cm. These measurements give scientists important information about circulation patterns in the ocean and about changes in sea level and the effects of climate change. The launch is significant because the rocket was built by a private company called SpaceX. This is owned by Elon Musk who founded PayPal and Tesla Motors; he is thought to be worth about $12 billion and he is only 44 years old. The SpaceX rocket is unusual because the first stage is designed to return to Earth and land in one piece so that it can be used again.
The following video shows the first commercial launch and return to Earth of the Falcon rocket. There is a moment at 03:08 when a young woman on the team realises that the landing has been completed safely that I found quite moving the first time I saw it. Landing the vehicle on Earth is an amazingly difficult thing to do because of the energy required to slow the descent and the difficulty of doing it delicately enough not to destroy the vehicle.
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Just to illustrate how difficult the landing can be I have two clips of failed attempts – the second of which happened yesterday. The first clip has no sound and is filmed from a distace. The second clip was filmed by cameras onboard the barge.
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You can read more on the BBC website.
Questions…
- The Falcon burns a mixture of kerosene (a hydrocarbon) and liquid oxygen. What would be the main chemical products released when they burn?
- For one of the above, suggest a chemical test you could do to identify it.
- From what raw material is kerosene extracted?
- What forces are opposing the motion of the rocket 30 seconds after take-off?
- What force is chiefly responsible for bringing the first stage back to Earth?
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