SpaceX's ship to catch rocket parts now has a much larger net

The SpaceX specialized boat aimed at catching rocket rockets has just had a considerable improvement. The ship, called Mr. Steven, now has an even bigger net, four times bigger than the one he had before. This larger area should allow Mr. Steven to make some catch, which he was not able to do.

Steven is particularly focused on capturing the front cone of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket after a launch. This is the bulbous structure that sits at the top of the rocket, covering the satellite during the flight. Once the rocket is in space, the nose cone, or fairing of the payload, splits in two and the pieces fall back to Earth. In general, this material was not recovered, but SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was eager to find a way to save the payload fairing halves for reuse in future flights.

The palette flying in the air, and it will break in the ocean, "said Musk at a press conference last year. "Would you try to get that back?" Yes, you would. "

SpaceX's solution was to slam down the fairing halves so that Mr. Steven could catch them. The halves are equipped with small thrusters to guide them towards the Earth, as well as special parachutes to decrease the speed of descent. Both also have their own onboard guidance systems to help them down. Then, once they get closer to the surface, it's up to Mr. Steven to get under one of the halves to allow them to land in a soft, dry place at the place of the saltwater ocean

. all taken yet, but SpaceX says the boat came close. Now, his big net may be able to catch one soon enough. SpaceX's next attempt to recover a refit will take place during one of the company's launches later this month.