Carbon Fiber, flames & Speed: 0-4000MPH and back again
 

SpaceX finally did it:

They launched an orbital rocket from KSC, released the payload into orbit, then FLEW BACK and landed vertically!

http://i.space.com/images/i/000/052/...jpg?1450763436

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G8GJQumBFs"]SpaceX Falcon9 1st Successful Launch/Landing on Target - YouTube[/ame]

~6 minutes from liftoff to the first stage rocket being back on the pad intact (and a bit scorched).
It doesnt look that impressive from the video, but that booster is ~160 feet tall!

Up until now we threw away the most expensive piece of a rocket, now who will have the lowest cost launch services?

And for those that are about to post "Blue Origin already DID that!" - Well sort of.
But that would be comparing shooting a basket from the free throw line (blue origin) to shooting a basket from outside the stadium (Spacex) - similar but one is FAR MORE impressive.

Let the NEW SPACE RACE begin: especially now that the US has signed into law the rights for US companies to mine the asteroids and bring the minerals back to Earth.

already one made :(

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99121

I searched for 'SpaceX' and got zero hits so it Doesnt count. :thumbup:

This is really awesome!! Its gonna lower the launch cost and space race is gonna get a lot more interesting!!

Real life Kerbal here I come :)

Andy Griffith did this back in 1979 with stuff from a junkyard, on "Salvage One" :)

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/...yi3s16sjpg.jpg

Complete with Saturn V engines bought "surplus", a capsule that was made from a cement mixer (those are ~1" thick steel), and they used fire extinguishers for propulsion during EVAs. :party0030:

I used to watch it.....