From: snidely.too@gmail.com   
      
   David Spain was thinking very hard :   
   > Snidely  writes:   
   >   
   >> JF Mezei quipped:   
   >>   
   >>> I sure hope Boeing/Lockheed has some skunkworks developping re-usable   
   >>> rocket ASAP.   
   >>   
   >> A future Vulcan upgrade is the SMART package, for engine recovery with   
   >> mid-air snagging.  See the wikiparticle.   
   >>   
   >> /dps   
   >   
   > This IS reusing the most expensive part of the rocket, however I don't   
   > see how this competes with either at sea or RTLS landing of the entire   
   > stage. Snagging the Vulcan engine assembly mid air will be a little more   
   > complicated (quite doable just more complicated) and still requires   
   > re-assembly of a new stage each time 'round. Once Starship is flying   
   > this will also become an economic dog by comparison.   
      
   Meanwhile, Rocket Lab is going to try chuting a whole first stage,   
   mid-November, a more definite date than anything ULA has mentioned.   
   First iteration is trying for a wet recovery, with helicopters   
   intervening on later launches.   
      
   /dps   
      
   --   
   "First thing in the morning, before I have coffee, I read the obits, If   
   I'm not in it, I'll have breakfast." -- Carl Reiner, to CBS News in   
   2015.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)