Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

>It's always been the dodgiest landings that "accidentally" lose video coverage for the longest.

Maybe you haven't seen some of the earlier ones that had RUD. Take this[1] one for instance from the SpaceX channel. Looks like they stopped using helicopters to stream the landing. Makes sense, because once you have all the kinks worked out, you no longer need redundant instrumentation.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhMSzC1crr0

Edit: Adding a successful one[2]. See how the rocket comes in, pointing away from the barge and then straightens up.

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYmQQn_ZSys




In those cases the helicopter recording is by NASA since those are CRS flights. The commercial customers don't particularly care about the landing (apart from cost reductions), or at least not that much, and SpaceX themselves only have the barge and support ships out on the ocean.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: