ZLSA Design

This infographic demonstrates the three methods of control used by the SpaceX Falcon 9 during its flight.

The SpaceX ITS is huge. This is only the smaller upper stage.

This is an overview of the operations the SpaceX ITS will take when it departs from Earth for its #JourneyToMars.

This is the approximate trajectory of the SpaceX ITS Mars lander during its approach, entry, descent, and landing phases. SpaceX has not released the Earth reentry trajectory, but it will probably be similar, albeit with lower speeds and a far denser atmosphere (which translates to a far shorter and more vertical glide.)

This infographic outlines the manufacturing and testing procedures for the SpaceX Falcon 9.

This is the approximate trajectory of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster during a downrange propulsive landing (i.e. ocean landing) on the ASDS.

Note that this is the trajectory of a booster during a high-performance mission, and does not include a boostback burn. The approximate trajectory of a Falcon 9 landing with a boostback burn can be seen here.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 is designed to fit on public roads in the US. Here’s how SpaceX transports the different components.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 is big. Really big. Mindboggling big.

(But it’s peanuts compared to the SpaceX ITS.)

This is a high-level, overly simplified explanation of the “hoverslam” maneuver the SpaceX Falcon 9 performs during landing.