Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is working to give their Falcon 9 rocket legs.
The demonstration is part of an effort to create reusable boosters that can get themselves back to their original launch site, Discovery News reported.
"Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. As the first rocket completely developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 was designed from the ground up for maximum reliability," the SpaceX website stated. The rocket's purpose is for commercial outer-space deliveries.
The Falcon 9 will demonstrate its new legs by landing gently in the ocean by Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Right before impact the rocket's engine will restart and the legs will be extended in an effort to make the landing as light as possible.
"[Falcon 9] will continue to land in the ocean until we prove precision control," SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted, Discovery News reported.
A program called Grasshopper worked to create "precision landing techniques." SpaceX reached an altitude of .46 miles in a first run conducted in Austin Texas during the program.
The upcoming launch will used an operational rocket. In a September launch the rocket started to spin, causing the centrifugal force to stop fuel flow.
Musk believes the legs will help to stabilize the rocket to prevent this from happening in the future.
The legs will be made from "carbon fiber with aluminum honeycomb," and will be about 60 feet long, Discovery News reported. They will be placed around the base of the rocket.
"Given all the things that would have to go right, the probability of recovering the first stage is low ... but we're getting closer," SpaceX spokeswoman Emily Shanklin wrote in an email to Discovery News.
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