News Supersonic retroproplusion braking of F9 first stage captured by NASA in IR.

[Mader Levap]

http://aviationweek.com/space/nasa-spacex-share-data-supersonic-retropropulsion

For SpaceX, NASA is providing detailed information on temperatures and aerodynamic loading on the Falcon 9 vehicle as it rides an exhaust plume of hot gas toward its launch site. And NASA engineers get a chance to collect data on supersonic retropropulsion that may one day lower payloads the size of two-story buildings to the surface of Mars.

Quick, someone tell them they are wasting time. Why would NASA ever talk to them, indeed.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Because this is a great way for both parties to benefit. SpaceX wanted to see how the first stage handled under those conditions, and NASA wants to gather data to base computer models off of. Win-win scenario, and cheaper than doing a custom mission by NASA.

 

[ISProgram]

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Damn. That's impressive.

 

[Andy44]

That is very cool.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

This is particularly interesting as it suggests that powered descent can permit controlled re-entry that doesn't require a heat shield or parachutes. The gas envelope created by your engines is the heat shield, assuming you need it.

You potentially have a re-entry and landing system that can land just about anywhere (well, except Europa, of course), whether it has an atmosphere or not. Moon, Earth, Mars, no problem! (potentially).

Wow. Just wow. The harder I look at this idea the more I like it.