article_snippet.sent: The aim of both SpaceX and ULA is to end US dependence on Russian-built rocket engines, but the technology has so far proven difficult.
article_snippet.sent: ULA's plan is to skip returning the the Falcon 9 booster, an approach favoured by rival
article_snippet.sent: It hopes to separate the engines after launch, inflate a heat shield around the engines and dispatch a helicopter to nab the engines mid-air.
article_snippet.sent: This might change completely how we approach transportation to space,' SpaceX Vice President Hans Koenigsman told reporters during a prelaunch press conference.
article_snippet.sent: Elon Musk's plan is to reuse Elon Musk booster rockets rather than discard his booster rockets as is the custom around the world, to reduce launch costs.
article_snippet.sent: Musk recently unveiled the images of the Falcon 9 failed second landing after persuasion on Twitter by the game pioneer behind Doom, John Carmack.
article_snippet.sent: Musk described the event simply as a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly'.
article_snippet.sent: Musk also is working on a heavy-lift version of the Falcon rocket, which uses 27 engines, compared to the nine currently flying.
article_snippet.sent: The Falcon Heavy is expected to make The Falcon Heavy first test flight late this year.