The Most Incredible Science Events Of 2016

SpaceX Lands An Autonomous Rocket

One of the biggest challenges to successfully launching commercial spaceflight firms is the creation of reusable rockets. Since each rocket costs around $62 million to construct and launch, recovering the rockets after launch is crucial to make private space exploration commercially viable. Luckily, Elon Musk’s visionary SpaceX company successfully landed a reusable rocket in 2016, marking the first time a rocket has been recovered intact. The autonomous rocket, called Falcon 9, landed upright on a floating launchpad in a spectacular display of engineering prowess.