FALCON 9 FLIP

How Spacex’s reusable rocket turns on its head to land upright

1 LAUNCH

During launch, the engine burns for 162 seconds, propelling the rocket into space.

4 BOOSTBACK BURN

The Merlin engines once again ignite to propel the rocket back towards the surface.

2 ASCENT

158 seconds into the rocket’s ascent, the engines are cut off. At this point the rocket is travelling ten times the speed of sound.

5 GRID FINS

Hypersonic grid fins placed in the middle of the first stage work like rudders to help orient the rocket upon re-entry.

3 FLIP

Cold gas thrusters at the head of the first stage turn the rocket around.

6 LANDING

The landing legs are deployed and the Merlin engines fire a final time to autonomously guide the rocket to the landing pad.