SpaceX’s future includes rockets with X wings, autonomous landing ports

Just when you thought SpaceX couldn’t get more interesting, Elon Musk goes and shows off the latest version of the company’s Falcon 9R rocket, complete with real life X wings.

The four independently maneuverable fins are designed to make the reusable rocket easier to land and will only deploy after takeoff when they’ll work in unison with the thrusters. Once the rocket’s landed, they return to their original position.

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Early flights of F9R will reportedly take off with legs fixed in the down position, however we will soon transition to liftoff with legs stowed against the side of the rocket with leg extension just before landing.

In addition to the X-wings, Musk revealed that SpaceX is working on autonomous spaceport drone ships. Yup, that’s right, the company wants its rockets to be able to take off and land in the ocean.

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The ships will apparently come equipped with repurposed oil rig thrusters designed to hold it within three meters of its original position, even in a storm.

Here’s the full stream of Musk’s tweets on the new technologies:

Testing operation of hypersonic grid fins (x-wing config) going on next flight pic.twitter.com/O1tMSIXxsT

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2014

Autonomous spaceport drone ship. Thrusters repurposed from deep sea oil rigs hold position within 3m even in a storm. pic.twitter.com/wJFOnGdt9w

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2014

Base is 300 ft by 100 ft, with wings that extend width to 170 ft. Will allow refuel & rocket flyback in future.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2014

Grid fins are stowed on ascent and then deploy on reentry for "x-wing" style control. Each fin moves independently for pitch/yaw/roll.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2014