SpaceX have a notable fleet of marine vessels, which includes several autonomous spaceport drone ships (ASDS), used primarily for landing reusable rocket stages at sea. These ships are an essential part of SpaceX's operations, allowing the company to recover and refurbish rocket boosters for future launches, which is a key factor in reducing the cost of access to space. These drone ships are a critical component of SpaceX's reusable rocket program, allowing for the recovery of rocket boosters at sea, which is essential for missions that don't carry enough fuel to return to the launch site after reaching orbital or interplanetary trajectories.
Tug Crosby Skipper and SpaceX drone ship JRTI return to port with Falcon 9 B1077 as droneship ASOG heads out with Doug for the next mission Image Credit: Jerry Pike
While the term "navy" typically refers to a nation's maritime military forces, SpaceX's fleet is a private collection of specialized vessels supporting their space launch activities. They are not military ships, but they do represent a significant investment in maritime assets for a private company.
In terms of size, SpaceX's fleet is not comparable to a national navy, but it is indeed one of the largest and most sophisticated private fleets dedicated to space launch support. The company also continues to innovate in this area, as they evaluate and potentially expand their use of maritime assets to support their growing launch schedule and ambitious space exploration goals.
The Fleet
SpaceX has three operational drone ships used for recovering first stage Falcon 9 boosters.
Just Read the Instructions (JRTI): SpaceX's "Just Read The Instructions" (JRTI) is an autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) that has become a cornerstone of the company's reusable rocket strategy. Named after a vessel from Iain M. Banks's science fiction, JRTI was initially stationed in California to support launches over the Pacific Ocean. However, in 2019, it was relocated to Port Canaveral, Florida, to better serve the increasing launch cadence from Cape Canaveral.
The drone ship is a modified barge, specifically the Marmac 303, and is outfitted with a suite of technologies to facilitate the autonomous landing of rocket boosters. This includes a robust landing platform, station-keeping thrusters for precise positioning, and a range of sensors and communication tools, such as Starlink dishes, to ensure successful landings and data transmission.
image credit SpaceX
JRTI's role is pivotal for missions where rockets need to land at sea, particularly when they don't have enough fuel to return to the launch site. Successful landings on JRTI have been instrumental in SpaceX's efforts to refurbish and reuse rocket components, significantly reducing the costs associated with space travel.
While the ultimate goal is full autonomy, JRTI currently operates with a degree of human oversight, being towed to its downrange position by support ships.
Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY): The "Of Course I Still Love You" (OCISLY) drone ship is a pivotal component of SpaceX's innovative approach to spaceflight. Named after a ship from Iain M. Banks's science fiction series, OCISLY was constructed on the modified barge Marmac 304 and launched into service in early 2015. Its primary function is to act as a mobile landing platform for the first stages of SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, enabling the company to recover and reuse these components.
OCISLY is equipped with advanced technology, including four azimuth thrusters for precise positioning at sea, blast shields, and a suite of sensors and communication equipment.
"Of Course I Still Love You" (Marmac 304) drone ship moving into position for the Sunday, June 28, 2015, SpaceX CRS-7 rocket launch and landing attempt Credit: SpaceX/Wikimedia Commons
These features allow the drone ship to autonomously maintain its position or be remotely controlled during rocket landings. The ship also boasts firefighting hoses and the "Octagrabber," a robot designed to secure the booster after landing.
With a home base initially at Port Canaveral, Florida, OCISLY has since been operating out of the Port of Long Beach, California. It has an impressive record of successful landings, contributing significantly to SpaceX's reusability goals. The first successful landing on OCISLY, which occurred during the SpaceX CRS-8 mission on April 8, 2016, marked a historic moment in the quest for sustainable space exploration.
A Shortfall of Gravitas (ASOG): SpaceX's fleet of autonomous spaceport drone ships (ASDS) was expanded with the introduction of "A Shortfall of Gravitas" (ASOG), named in line with the company's tradition of referencing Iain M. Banks's science fiction works. Unveiled by Elon Musk in July 2021, ASOG represents the latest in SpaceX's advancements in rocket recovery technology. Constructed on the modified barge Marmac 302, ASOG stands out for its fully automated capabilities, eliminating the need for a tugboat to maneuver into position.
ASOG's design includes a more streamlined deck and a large structure at the rear for equipment storage, optimizing the space for Falcon 9 rocket booster landings. The drone ship is tasked with supporting SpaceX's Atlantic launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It took over the Atlantic operations from "Of Course I Still Love You" when the latter was reassigned to support Pacific Coast missions.
SpaceX Drone Ship 'A Shortfall Of Gravitas' returning to port after a sucessfull recovery mission. Image Credit - Jerry Pike for SpaceX Frontpage
Technologically, ASOG is considered the third iteration of SpaceX's droneship designs, featuring ground support equipment located entirely at the aft end. This configuration provides a larger landing area and supports the ship's autonomous operations. Since its first mission for the SpaceX CRS-23 cargo resupply to the International Space Station on August 29, 2021, ASOG has maintained a perfect landing record, with 74 successful attempts and no failures as of June 2024.
Characteristics
- The droneships are derived from deck barges and are equipped with station-keeping engines and a large landing platform.
- They are autonomously positioned when on station for a landing.
- The construction of these drone ships was commissioned by SpaceX to enable the recovery of launch vehicle boosters at sea.
Operation
- The droneships maneuver using four thruster engines and are covered with blast shielding to protect the deck's electrical and engine equipment.
- An onboard robot named 'Octagrabber' secures the rocket boosters after they land and until the ship returns to port.
Mission History
- CISLY has a landing history of 99 attempts, with 91 successes, 7 failures, and 1 partial failure. Its last recorded landing was on June 8, 2024, for the Starlink Group 8-8 mission.
- JRTIhas 84 attempts, with 82 successes, 1 failure, and 1 partial failure. Its last landing was on June 5, 2024, for the Starlink Group 8-5 mission.
- ASOG boasts a perfect record with 74 successful landings and no failures, with its most recent landing on June 8, 2024, for the Starlink Group 10-1 mission.
Additional to drone ships, SpaceX also operates a number of other vessels:
Support Ships: These are used to ensure the safety and security of the drone ships and the boosters they carry. They help with towing the drone ships and securing the area during booster landings.
Recovery Ships: These ships are equipped to recover the Falcon 9’s fairings — the protective nose cone that covers the payload during launch.
Crew Transport Ships: These are used to transport astronauts to and from the recovery zones during crewed missions.
Research and Survey Ships: These vessels are used to conduct oceanographic research and surveys to find new landing zones or to improve existing ones.
SpaceX's ships, Bob and Doug, have a rich history and play a vital role in the company's recovery operations. Named after NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, who were the first to fly on SpaceX's Dragon capsule during the Demo-2 mission, these ships are designed for fairing and booster recovery operations.
Bob, based at Port Canaveral, Florida, is a dual-purpose support vessel that was converted from a former platform supply ship between May and August 2021 in Louisiana. It is equipped with a winch for towing SpaceX drone ships and can recover and store four Falcon fairing halves on deck using a large crane. Bob also supports recovery operations with deployable fast boats, such as Maverick or Goose, and has multiple Starlink dishes and other systems for communication with SpaceX mission control.
Doug, also based at Port Canaveral, Florida, has similar capabilities to Bob. It was converted from a former platform supply ship during the same period as Bob and is retro-fitted with a winch to tow SpaceX droneships. Doug can also recover and store four Falcon fairing halves on deck with a large crane and utilizes fast boats for support in recovery operations.
Both Bob and Doug are integral to SpaceX's streamlined recovery process, allowing for the efficient retrieval of rocket components.
Future Developments
SpaceX is exploring the use of its droneships as ground stations to enhance the Starlink satellite internet service. SpaceX has been integrating Starlink terminals on naval vessels, providing high-speed internet connectivity at sea. This initiative is part of a broader effort to field broadband-providing capabilities across a fleet of up to 200 ships. It aims to improve internet coverage at sea by leveraging these drone ships as mobile, sea-based ground stations. Additionally, SpaceX is known to be working on seafaring platforms for future operations, such as the Starship sea launch platform named Phobos1. This platform will likely play a crucial role in the launch and landing operations of the upcoming Starship spacecraft.
The ASDS fleet represents a significant technological advancement in the aerospace industry, enabling SpaceX to lead the way in rocket reusability and cost reduction for space missions. Their successful operations have become a staple of SpaceX's launch process, showcasing the company's innovative approach to space exploration.
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