Eight years ago tonight ... For my money, the most significant advance in rocketry this century.
#SpaceX landed a rocket for the first time, at #CCSFS Landing Zone 1.
My wife and I were at "The Force Awakens." As the New Republic attacked Starkiller Base on the screen, I was in the back row watching the launch/landing on my smartphone. John Williams provided the score.
As soon as we were outside, I screamed and yelled and jumped for joy. (1/x)
The last #SpaceX launch had ended in failure. CRS-7 blew up 2 1/2 minutes after launch, destroying a cargo Dragon with #NASA payloads for #ISS.
Rather than do a demo flight, Elon decided to double-down and not only fly a customer's payload, but also attempt the first land landing.
SpaceX granted NatGeo behind the scenes access for this return to flight, and were rewarded with history. (2/x)
This is the complete video of the #SpaceX Orbcomm-2 launch and landing. I've indexed it to T-1 minute; otherwise just fast forward to the 22 minute mark.
Never before have I seen so many people so joyful. They knew they'd just changed the world. (3/3)
https://www.youtube.com/live/O5bTbVbe4e4?si=XMqNO5lR0aMAYAGl&t=1320