OTD in Space - November 23: Blue Origin Sticks 1st Rocket Landing
- last year
On November 23, 2015, a Blue Origin rocket made a historic landing. [‘On This Day in Space’ Video Series on Space.com](https://www.space.com/39251-on-this-day-in-space.html)
Before this time, all rockets were single-use only — even SpaceX's rockets. Blue Origin changed the concept forever. After launching the New Shepard capsule safely into space, the rocket started heading back to Earth. It flew towards a landing pad, fired its engines to slow down, and touched down softly on the ground. This was the first vertical landing in history. The milestone meant that rockets could be reused for multiple missions, which saves money and reduces waste. Today, SpaceX is most famous for landing its Falcon 9 rocket boosters. The SpaceX Falcon Heavy boosters can also land vertically. SpaceX might land its rockets more frequently, but Blue Origin did it first.
Before this time, all rockets were single-use only — even SpaceX's rockets. Blue Origin changed the concept forever. After launching the New Shepard capsule safely into space, the rocket started heading back to Earth. It flew towards a landing pad, fired its engines to slow down, and touched down softly on the ground. This was the first vertical landing in history. The milestone meant that rockets could be reused for multiple missions, which saves money and reduces waste. Today, SpaceX is most famous for landing its Falcon 9 rocket boosters. The SpaceX Falcon Heavy boosters can also land vertically. SpaceX might land its rockets more frequently, but Blue Origin did it first.