re: #37 thedopefishlives

Yeah, especially since atmospheric effects make it incredibly difficult for precision prediction of where it will come down. Presumably they have the thing guided somehow.

Well we’ll get to see if they have better luck next month.

Luckily for fans of SpaceX, Musk intends to do just that. According to Musk, the “hypersonic grid fins” — or more poetically, “X-wings” — that help to slow the Falcon’s descent and maneuver it to its target “ran out of hydraulic fluid right before landing.” So next time, SpaceX will simply add 50% more hydraulic fluid, and see if that does the trick.

Upcoming flight already has 50% more hydraulic fluid, so should have plenty of margin for landing attempt next month.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 10, 2015