Why Is Making A Reusable Rocket So Difficult? Elon Musk

SpaceX CEO & Chief Designer Elon Musk discusses the difficulty of making a reusable rocket. Filmed at The National Press Club.

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[josephbrody]

If landing legs are a weight hit for a reusable rocket, then why not have a tower that catches the rocket?

[doraaaa]

THEY DID IT! So, so excited for the future of SpaceX!

[sang]

“We could fail. I'm not saying we’ll a certain of success here but we’re going to try to do it”

[JesseCorbett]

I love that the reusable Falcon 9 ended up looking even cooler than the concept here too

[aokiyuki]

7 Years, One month, and 11 days later. They've changed space flight.

[ublade]

"We are going to try to do it."

This is the EXACT mindset of the NASA of the 60s and it's exactly what they're missing today.

[mob_abominator]

It's 2020 and not only have they made history, they've basically changed the future of space flight forever.

[toomuchtruth]

I have to laugh at how everyone on here is making absolute statements, mostly about the unfeasability of reusable rockets. I've apparently stumbled into a rocket scientist convention.

[ClintJohnsonWriter]

To those confused about the context, this isn't about "the space program", it is about Elon Musk's company working hard on a difficult engineering problem. You may feel that people should "scrap" a project because it is difficult. Well, I am filled with joy and relief there are people like Elon who are ready, willing and able to put their time and money on the line to open space; not because it is easy OR because it is hard... but because it is the most important thing that it is possible to do.

[matthewcrazywolfguillen]

I can't wait to see the future of SpaceX. It looks very bright.

[ublade]

"We are going to try to do it." Refreshing spirit.

[xenomann]

"Trust those who seek the truth, and doubt those who claim to have found it." Sort of a similar concept.

[mihirlalnath]

You have done it now, even without legs or pillar,
You calling it chopstick catch
You beauty Elon

[IsMaski]

We need more people like Elon. He knew that success was not guaranteed yet he pushed against the odds. He tried and failed multiple times before achieving this goal. The raging fire and passion to make things work.. He is truly one of a kind. Elon has already left his mark in this world but he still has an ultimate goal, MARS.

[iankphone]

Space-X is the future of space access. It's great to see someone finally doing this right.

Make no mistake, I love NASA. I love their heritage and what they want to do. But since they are seen by elected officials as, essentially, and "jobs program" you do not see the kind of efficiency from them that SpaceX has demonstrated.

I'm glad to see the private sector pick up the orbital trucking task. NASA should be about bold, bleeding edge technology right on the edge of feasibility.

[danielangelo]

Spoiler alert. My boy Elon and his gang did it!

[gloria..]

8 years ahead he is working on a spaceship🤩

[natyusecolvin]

Elon Musk is just like the titans of industry over the last 100+ years, Carnegie, Rockefeller, J.P Morgan, Ford, Buffet and Jobs.  Just to name a few.  Only those who push the boundaries of what's possible and think beyond what's considered possible can bring about a change in the world

[bhanuchandra]

You know when you inventing a new thing is so hard and efforts and knowledge needed for new things.

[kirkc]

Not to mention landing them on a pitching and rolling barge in the ocean!