Elon Musk’s SpaceX has successfully completed a world-first test, landing part of its spacecraft back on the launch pad.
This marks the company’s plans to move much closer to developing a fully reusable, rapidly deployable rocket.
BBC’s science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explores why this “incredibly difficult” task is important for future exploration, and what environmental concerns people may have about it.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. government agency that approves all flights, previously said there would be no launches before November as it reviewed the company’s permit.
Since last month, the agency and Elon Musk have been in a public spat after the FAA said it was seeking to fine his company, SpaceX, $633,000 for failing to follow license conditions and obtain clearance for a previous flight.
Before issuing a license, the FAA reviews the impact of a flight, especially its impact on the environment.
In response to the fine, Musk threatened to sue the agency, and SpaceX published a public blog post attacking the outside world for “false reports” that parts of its rocket were contaminating the environment.
Filmed and edited by Beatrice Guzzardi.
Produced by Ian Casey.
