SpaceX Recovery Programs
A fundamental principle of SpaceX’s philosophy is reusability. The company has developed groundbreaking techniques for recovering and reusing the flight hardware it launches through a series of programs.
Fairing Recovery Program
SpaceX recovers and reuses Falcon 9 fairing halves. Following fairing jettison, they descend back to Earth and splashdown in the water under parafoil to be recovered. Photo: SpaceX
F9 Booster Recovery Program
SpaceX lands its Falcon 9 boosters at sea and on land, and flies them again multiple times. The company operates a fleet of droneships for offshore booster landings. Photo: SpaceX
Dragon Recovery Program
SpaceX launches cargo and crew to space aboard Dragon and recovers the capsule at the end of the mission. SpaceX operates two dedicated recovery ships for this purpose. Photo: NASA