April 6, 2017 - No. 028 In This Issue Boeing and JetBlue just invested in a tiny electric-jet startup that could revolutionize air travel CCCC Aviation Tech Completes Full FAA Certification Emirates joins Etihad, Qatar in US cabin laptop ban workaround LSP Technologies Sells Laser Peening System for Metal Fatigue Enhancement to Aeronautical Research This 18-rotor electric 'flying taxi' will be buzzing overhead next year AFI KLM E&M and GMF AeroAsia extend their maintenance partnership Bombardier Expands Support with New Techs, M&O Series PEMCO Secures Air Incheon Contract for B737-400 Passenger-to-Freighter Conversion Hybrid Enterprises and Helium One Announce Strategic Partnership at Mines and Money Asia SpaceX finally reveals footage of its historic recycled rocket landing Boeing and JetBlue just invested in a tiny electric-jet startup that could revolutionize air travel On Wednesday, the hybrid electric-aircraft startup Zunum Aero announced that it had received an investment from Boeing and JetBlue. "I consider us very fortunate to have backers like JetBlue and Boeing," Zunum Aero founder and CEO Ashish Kumar told Business Insider. "We have been engaged with both companies for about a year, and both are as passionate as we are in this opportunity to reinvent regional air travel." JetBlue's investment in the three-year-old startup was made through its Silicon Valley- based venture-capital fund led by Bonny Simi, the Olympian turned pilot turned airline executive. The amount was undisclosed. "At JetBlue Technology Ventures, our goal is to be part of a disruptive force rather than the one being disrupted, and we seek new technologies that look to change the game," Simi said in a statement. "As a company that is also deeply committed to innovation in sustainable travel, we believe that Zunum and its quiet, environmentally friendly aircraft will light up a vast network of underutilized airports and reinvent regional travel." In a statement, Boeing HorizonX vice president, Steve Nordlund, echoed Simi's sentiments, adding that Zunum's hybrid electric technology was leading the way in the up-and-coming segment. Boeing HorizonX is the Chicago-based airplane maker's new venture capital arm. Zunum's proposed regional aircraft would hold 10 to 50 passengers with a range of up to 1,000 miles. According to Kumar - whose résumé includes leadership stints at Dell, Google, and McKinsey and a Ph.D. from Cornell in mechanical and aerospace engineering - the jet will be powered by a battery first series hybrid propulsion system. This calls for the aircraft to run primarily on battery power with an aviation diesel or turbine range- extending power generator on call if necessary. Since the aircraft isn't expected to fly until the next decade and will have a service life of roughly 20 years, Zunum is designing its aircraft to be "future-proof" - meaning the aircraft will be designed in a way that will allow it to adopt new technology. For instance, the aircraft will initially feature hybrid propulsion designed to deliver 80% lower emissions than comparable traditional aircraft. But with advancements in battery technology, the range-extending internal combustion engine can be replaced with an extra battery pack, thereby lowering emissions to zero, Kumar said. In addition, Zunum's propulsor technology is expected to reduce the aircraft's noise emissions by 75% - important for operations into airports with stern noise restrictions. Zunum's CEO believes his company's nature-friendly electric jet also makes economic sense for airlines and their passengers. In recent years, many carriers have moved away from operating small 50-seat regional jets in favor larger aircraft that offer lower unit costs. Zunum says that by cutting out the need for large volumes of jet fuel, its aircraft can cut an airline's operating costs by 40% to 80% a flight. Even though airlines will have to swap out battery packs once or twice a year, Kumar believes his electric jets can deliver better unit costs than the latest jumbo jets from Airbus and Boeing. In addition, the Zunum jets are designed for operation out of small general aviation or regional airports. This cuts down on passenger commute times, time spent in long security lines, and the need to connect through a larger hub. In fact, Kumar says that by taking advantage of general aviation airports, the planes could deliver door-to-door speeds that are two to four times as fast as those of highways, high-speed rail, or conventional aircraft. According to Simi, JetBlue Technology Ventures, which launched early last year, targets investments that it believes can help JetBlue function better as an airline or provide its passengers with a better experience. With Zunum, it may have found an investment that can do both. Oddly enough, however, JetBlue operates a fleet made up entirely of Airbus and Embraer aircraft. If Zunum Aero works out, it may finally be time for JetBlue to acquire aircraft with Boeing's fingerprints on it. http://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-jetblue-invest-zunum-electric-jet-startup-2017-4 Back to Top CCCC Aviation Tech Completes Full FAA Certification After months of exhaustive review, the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) has certified the Power Plant Training Certificate module within the Cape Cod Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, completing the full certification of both the airframe and power plant portions of the training program. In a message to the College community, President John Cox expressed deep appreciation for the extraordinary work done by so many within the institution to bring this program from concept to reality, one of only a handful in the entire country offering the education and training that is desperately needed within the aviation industry. "Cape Cod Community College is now FAA certified for the Airframe and Power plant programs. I am grateful for the efforts and persistence of so many people to make today possible... It's been an amazing journey since August 10, 2012, when I walked into Cape Air for the first time to meet the airline's leaders. I left with an idea for a new program that I thought we could be teaching...I truly appreciate everyone's patience and commitment, and our collective striving over the past 4+ years to stay focused on reaching today's achievement," stated President Cox, who concluded, "As in all we do, there will be generations of students - graduates - who will benefit from our achievement today." At this time there are two cohorts (students groups) in the program, with the first graduates expected by mid-October of this year. Located in state-of-the-art training hangars at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, the program prepares students to take separate F.A.A. certification exams in airframe and power plant maintenance and repair, earn academic certification, and transfer on for further study. The AMT Certification Program is just the first step for those who may be interested in more advanced careers in the aviation maintenance field. It lays the foundation for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance, and then transfer into a variety of Bachelor's degree programs that further specialize in the aviation field. The program's reputation has grown rapidly outside the state, reaching of Mr. Randall Green, President of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation of White Plains, NY this past February. He was so impressed after a very thorough review of the program, that on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, a permanently "retired" Sabreliner Model 40 twin-engine jet was flown in to the College's Aviation Maintenance Technology Program hangar at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, a gift of Mr. Green and his company. This was crucial to the final F.A.A. certification because it provided operating jet engines that were required for power plant approval. This program is one of only a handful of accelerated training curriculums in the country (the only one among Mass. public colleges) in which students, in slightly more than a year, can earn both certifications, and be working in jobs that routinely pay between $40,000 and $65,000 a year. While commercial aviation is the largest employer of graduates, the field includes vast numbers of companies serving fixed-wing business and corporate aviation, aviation manufacturers, helicopters, private aviation, even unmanned aerial vehicles, airships, and historic, and experimental aircraft. By one source, there are 235,000 certified mechanics working in private and government aviation right now. However, the population is aging out rapidly, and at least 40,000 new certified Aviation Maintenance Technicians soon will be needed every year. Because of the highly specialized nature of the knowledge base and training that is part of this curriculum, there are numerous non-aviation career pathways open to those completing the program. Industries that will be waiting to employ CCCC graduates include: alternative energy (wind turbines both full size and micro turbines), transportation (subways, railroad locomotives), amusement parks that now have very sophisticated thrill rides/roller coasters, heavy equipment manufacturers such as fork lift/power lift companies, elevator companies, among others. The program is already recruiting for the Fall 2017 Semester. More information can be found here at: www.capecod.edu/aviation http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2017/04/05/231503-CCCC-Aviation-Tech- Completes-Full-FAA-Certification Back to Top Emirates joins Etihad, Qatar in US cabin laptop ban workaround DUBAI: Emirates airline said it would start lending first and business class passengers tablets in response to the US ban on most personal electronic devices from passenger cabins of United States-bound flights. On March 25 the US banned electronic devices larger than a mobile phone from cabins on direct flights to the United States from 10 airports in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, including the United Arab Emirates. Emirates is introducing the service to mitigate the inconvenience of the ban on passengers, the Middle East airline said in a statement. The service started on April 5. The decision follows similar measures introduced last week by Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, which are also affected by the ban. The restrictions, prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices in electronic gadgets, state that electronics larger than a mobile phone - including laptops and tablets - must be stowed with checked baggage on US-bound passenger flights. Industry experts have warned the ban could push premium business and first class travellers to carriers not affected by the ban. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are also allowing passengers to hand over their personal devices immediately before boarding. - Reuters http://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2017/04/06/emirates-joins-etihad-qatar-in- us-cabin-laptop-ban-workaround/ Back to Top LSP Technologies Sells Laser Peening System for Metal Fatigue Enhancement to Aeronautical Research Center LSP Technologies announces the sale of its state-of-the-art Procudo® Laser Peening System to the Center of Applied Aeronautical Research (ZAL) in Hamburg, Germany. The equipment will be delivered to the ZAL TechCenter facility in Hamburg during the 3rd quarter of 2017. Researchers at ZAL will use the laser peening system to study the surface enhancement applications of laser peening for their partners in the aviation industry. "We are very excited about this new international partnership," said Dr. Jeff Dulaney, President and CEO of LSP Technologies, Inc. "Laser peening is becoming the aviation industry standard for increasing fatigue strength and damage tolerance in titanium and steels, and LSPT's Procudo® Laser Peening System is the most versatile machine available for component service life extension." LSP Technologies' Procudo® 200 Laser Peening System is the only commercially available laser designed exclusively for laser peening. It employs a diode-pumped, pulsed YLF laser that produces a flattop spatial profile beam at a wavelength of 1053 nm. The system operates at selectable repetition rates up to 20 Hz, and emits a continuously-selectable 8- 16 ns pulse, with energy adjustable up to 10 Joules per pulse. The system includes fully- developed controls and diagnostics specifically designed for laser peening, and it allows the user to optimize the laser peening process based on part and performance requirements. The Procudo® LSP System is easy to operate for research use and application development and the system is engineered for rapid integration into manufacturing operations. Laser peening is a proven method for significantly increasing the fatigue life and fatigue strength of metals. The mechanical surface enhancement process utilizes a high-energy pulsed laser beam to impart compressive residual stress fields into metal alloys such as titanium or steel. Compressive residual stresses add strength and robustness to metal parts by improving their resistance to damage, fatigue, crack initiation and crack propagation. Laser peening can even be used to arrest the propagation of existing cracks in fielded components, leading to reduced maintenance and repair costs, longer time between inspection intervals, and significantly increased service lifetimes. Laser peening has been shown to impart beneficial stresses many times deeper than shot peening, leading to increased damage tolerance, reduced fatigue effects, and superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Laser peening is routinely applied to GE turbine engine blades, as well as turbofan blades in the Rolls Royce Trent series of engines. The process has been employed for years by major aerospace OEMs to improve turbine engine blade resistance to foreign object damage (FOD), fretting fatigue, and cracking. The Hamburg Center of Applied Aeronautical Research (ZAL) was established in 2009 as a technological research and development hub for the Hamburg Aviation Network. It is a public-private partnership that not only includes collaboration from some of the aviation industry's largest organizations, such as Lufthansa and Airbus, but also suppliers, SME, universities, research institutions, start-ups and many more. The ZAL TechCenter opened in Hamburg in 2016, and the 95-million-euro facility immediately became one of the largest and most advanced aeronautical research facilities in the world. LSP Technologies is the world's premier laser peening services, technology and equipment provider. It is the only company in the world selling, installing, and integrating state-of- the-art laser peening systems into manufacturing and research facilities. The company has been providing laser peening production services for clients in the aviation and power generation industries for over twenty years, and has been awarded more than fifty patents for innovations in laser peening equipment and technology. https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/17/04/p9254400/lsp-technologies-sells-laser- peening-system-for-metal-fatigue-enhanceme Back to Top This 18-rotor electric 'flying taxi' will be buzzing overhead next year The hot new trend in aeronautics these days is VTOL (pronounced vee-tol), which stands for "vertical take-off and landing." These aircraft are known colloquially as "flying cars," but we should probably think of them more as drones crossed with helicopters. Uber is working on a VTOL project, as is Airbus, DARPA, and Google co-founder Larry Page. Because nothing says "I'm very rich and I hate traffic" like a flying car project. E-volo, a German aviation startup, has been pursuing ultralight, electrically powered "multicopter" technology for several years now. The company's Volocopter VC200, a 18- rotor drone-helicopter hybrid, took its first crewed flight last year. Today at AERO, Europe's largest general aviation trade fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany, E-volo revealed its first production model: the 2X. To be sure, the fiber-composite 2X is no aviation powerhouse. It has a maximum range of 17 miles when flying at a speed of 43 mph. It's maximum flight time is 27 minutes at an optimal cruise speed of 31 mph. But if range were no concern, the 2X can fly at a maximum speed of 62 mph. The entire aircraft stands at just over two meters tall, and it can carry up to nine lithium- ion battery packs. It takes about 120 minutes for the batteries to fully charge at a conventional power outlet. And oh yeah, did I mention this thing has 18 rotors? The 2X is easy on the eyes, too, with glazed doors and leather upholstered seats, of which there are only two. So clearly E-volo is emphasizing the ride experience, especially in light of the aircraft's autonomous capabilities. The company says the technology "allows for" remote-controlled and autonomous flying. E-volo says its flying taxi pilot projects, which will commence in 2018, will still be pilot-controlled due to the currently applicable regulations. The company claims its aircraft, which is electric, emissions-free, and easy to operate thanks to its touchscreen display and joystick control, marks "the first time humans' dream of personal flight as a daily routine becomes attainable." The company claims that NASA is interested in the Volocopter as a means of alleviating traffic congestion in Silicon Valley. So don't be surprised to see one of these buzzing over the rooftops of the headquarters of Google and Facebook in the years to come. http://www.theverge.com/2017/4/5/15195786/evolo-volocopter-2x-vtol-flying-taxi- announcement Back to Top AFI KLM E&M and GMF AeroAsia extend their maintenance partnership Apr 04, 2017: GMF AeroAsia and AFI KLM E&M have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at further reinforcing an already strong MRO partnership. Under this new MOU, AFI KLM E&M and GMF AeroAsia will intensify their existing cooperation in the field of engine, component and airframe support. The companies signed a first MOU during the 2016 Singapore Airshow. This covered several areas of cooperation: AFI KLM E&M's global MRO network would provide engine and component support for the Garuda Indonesia Group's Boeing and Airbus fleet, for example, while subcontracting maintenance services to GMF for Boeing 747 airframe support in addition to component and engine support. A dedicated project office has been opened within the GMF facility to allow teams to develop the next steps of their cooperation with milestones and targets already established. Further joint training and development will be organised via a new exchange programme between experts from the two companies. AFI KLM E&M and GMF AeroAsia will notably focus on trade synergies and collaborate more closely on systems integration and data exchange, including state-of-the-art prognostic technologies. During an official inking ceremony held at GMF's headquarters in Jakarta, Caretaker president & CEO GMF AeroAsia, I Wayan Susena, said, "The combining of our strengths and expertise will prove even more beneficial for both our companies. We hope this partnership could strengthen GMF's position in Asia Pacific's aircraft maintenance market and accelerate GMF to reach its vision to become top 10 MRO in The World. Furthermore, AFI KLM E&M is a strategic partner as both parties can expanding the capabilities and capacities for larger business outlook." Anne Brachet, executive vice president, AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance, said, "Combining our complementary skills is the right move in order to further reinforce our regional presence and to provide our customers with even more competitive solutions in the strategic Asia-Pacific area." Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) AeroAsia is the largest aircraft maintenance operator in Indonesia. Based at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, GMF AeroAsia counts internationally-renowned airlines from more than 55 countries around the world among its clients. http://www.stattimes.com/gmf-aeroasia-extend-their-maintenance-partnership-aviation Back to Top Bombardier Expands Support with New Techs, M&O Series Bombardier Business Aircraft is continuing to build on its customer support efforts, with new technicians and capabilities and expanded customer outreach events. The company's service center network has hired nearly 200 technicians and project managers over the last four months. The increase in hiring comes as the company supported more than 9,000 maintenance events in 2016, a 20 percent jump from the previous year. "We value our customers' peace of mind, which is why we have invested tremendously in our customer support network, adding more customer response trucks in the U.S., expanding our capabilities and hiring close to 200 additional highly skilled technicians and project managers across the network," said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, vice president and general manager of customer experience. In addition to its increasing service center capabilities, the company has planned a slate of customer events this year, including its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Europe Conference that is under way this week in Prague. In all, the events include nine customer briefings, eight customer advisories and the Safety Standdown that will be held from October 31 to November 2. The M&O Europe conference, which runs from April 3 to 6, brings together customers and operators to provide an update of latest improvements and detail other information on Bombardier aircraft. "These events are an excellent forum for Bombardier customers and operators to provide feedback on our products and services, so we can continue to deliver exceptional products and unparalleled service to our customers," Gallagher said. "We are not only expanding our worldwide support network and adding value throughout the aircraft's lifecycle, but also increasing safety awareness during specially tailored sessions." The conference includes a new "Safety First" series of briefings that are designed promote and raise awareness on issues that affect safety in aviation operations. The briefings emphasize the importance of instilling a strong and disciplined culture of safety and human factors awareness. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-04-04/bombardier- expands-support-new-techs-mo-series Back to Top PEMCO Secures Air Incheon Contract for B737-400 Passenger-to-Freighter Conversion TAMPA, Fla. - April 4, 2017 - PEMCO World Air Services (PEMCO), the global leader in Boeing 737 passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions, has announced an agreement with South Korea-based Air Incheon for the P-to-F conversion of one B737-400 aircraft (MSN 25857). Air Incheon, which is currently operating one PEMCO-converted B737-400 (MSN 25190), will take redelivery of its latest aircraft in Q3 2017. "We chose PEMCO to expand our fleet based on our experience with its B737-400 aircraft conversions," shared YK Park, president and founder of Air Incheon. "We are pleased with the performance and recognize the quality, reliability, and value it brings to our company." Mike Andrews, PEMCO's director of conversion programs, said "We're honored that Air Incheon again chose us for its fleet expansion program. We look forward to supporting Air Incheon's mission to become a leader in regional air cargo transport." Air Incheon's B737-400 PEMCO-converted aircraft features a custom cargo loading system, up to 48,000 pounds of payload, and 4,600 cubic feet of total volume under PEMCO's supplemental type certificate. The optimized center of gravity of PEMCO's B737- 400 freighter yields the highest possible usable payload and retains maximum best-in- class fuel efficiency for unbeatable range and operating economics. PEMCO's 60-plus customers select the company's passenger-to-freighter conversion for its superior cargo door and system, operating functions, on-time turnaround, and a track record of 2 million hours of safe, reliable operation. Air Incheon, the first all-cargo airline in Korea, specializes in perishables, machinery, and dangerous goods. The company is highly focused on serving the Russia Far East market, in addition to local routes to Japan, China, and Mongolia. About PEMCO World Air Services, Inc. PEMCO World Air Services, an Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services (AMES) company, serves customers from airlines to private operators. Having developed over 70 STCs and modified over 350 aircraft and with conversion partnerships in China, Costa Rica and Canada, PEMCO's cargo conversion program is the global leader in narrow-body passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions. PEMCO and AMES, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Air Transport Services Group (NASDAQ: ATSG), offer 320,000 sq. ft. of hangar space in Tampa, Fla. and 315,000 sq. ft. of hangar space in Wilmington, Ohio. Together, they provide a range of services to the aviation sector including heavy maintenance, line maintenance, cargo conversions, engineering services, material sales and manufacturing. Combining the maintenance experience as an Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services company with industry-leading conversion capacity, PEMCO World Air Services is a leading provider of services for Boeing and Airbus fleets. For more information, please visit PEMCOAIR.com or AIRBORNEMX.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12322227/pemco-secures-air-incheon- contract-for-b737-400-passenger-to-freighter-conversion Back to Top Hybrid Enterprises and Helium One Announce Strategic Partnership at Mines and Money Asia HONG KONG, April 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hybrid Enterprises, the exclusive worldwide reseller of Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airship, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Helium One, an explorer, developer and producer of high value bulk liquid helium for the international market. Helium One will use the LMH-1 Hybrid Airship to safely transport helium out of Helium One's deposit sites in Tanzania. Helium One holds a prospecting license across three project areas in Tanzania, encompassing more than 4,500 km² of land with helium concentrations up to 10.5 percent. With significant operational, technical and commercial experience, the Helium One team is well positioned to capitalize on opportunities within the global helium market. This strategic collaboration would provide a safe and sustainable solution for transporting helium from mining sites in Tanzania. "We are excited to be working with Hybrid Enterprises to explore a new way to efficiently deliver bulk liquid helium to the world," said Thomas Abraham-James, CEO of Helium One. "We are in the process of developing a new helium province in Tanzania that has the potential to alleviate fears of a global helium shortage for decades to come. The LMH-1 airship may be a highly cost effective transportation method for us, and could reduce the bottlenecks associated with road transportation." Developed and built by Lockheed Martin, the LMH-1 can land on virtually any surface including gravel, snow, ice and even water. The helium-filled, heavier-than-air airships can carry 21 metric tons of cargo and up to 19 passengers. The LMH-1 will provide a low cost and sustainable solution for moving cargo and personnel to the most isolated regions of the world. "With the demand for helium increasing, this discovery of a nearly 100 billion cubic foot helium deposit in Tanzania will help ensure future supply," said Rob Binns, Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Enterprises. "And what better way to transport this product than with our helium filled Hybrid Airship." Hybrid Airships combine the technology of lighter-than-air aircraft with airplanes, helicopters and hovercraft. Helium provides 80 percent of the lift, and the remaining lift comes from the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft and its four thrust vectoring engines. The airship also features a unique hovercraft-like Air Cushion Landing System that facilitates taxiing and holds the craft firmly on the ground. About Hybrid Enterprises Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Hybrid Enterprises is the exclusive reseller of Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airships. Hybrid Enterprises is comprised of industry professionals who have sold, leased and operated cargo aircraft in over 120 countries on six continents. Hybrid Enterprises is solely focused on sales and marketing of Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airships. About Helium One Helium One was founded as a focused explorer, developer, and ultimately producer of bulk liquid helium for the international market. All licences are held 100% by the Company and have exclusive rights for helium. The Helium One team will leverage their combined technical, industrial and corporate experience to advance these assets toward production and capitalize on the highly compelling market fundamentals relating to the helium industry. http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12322750/hybrid-enterprises-and-helium-one- announce-strategic-partnership-at-mines-and-money-asia Back to Top SpaceX finally reveals footage of its historic recycled rocket landing VIDEO HERE SpaceX made history last week when it achieved the first-ever reuse of an orbital-class booster, which CEO Elon Musk had deemed 'a huge revolution for spaceflight'. However, the firm failed to show video of the booster, as its cameras onboard its drone ship mysteriously cut out. Now, the first has released footage - which Elon Musk says was 15 years in the making. Even with the accomplishment under SpaceX's belt, the Falcon 9 has had quite the journey before reaching this point - altogether it experienced nine successful landings and five major failures. SpaceX made itself known in 2002, when it announced that it would 'revolutionize technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets'. And over the years, the firm has been developing technology to land the largest stage of its Falcon 9 rocket back on Earth after it takes its supplies to the ISS. On March 30, Falcon 9 returned from deliver the unmanned Dragon cargo to orbit - making it the first-ever reused orbital class booster. But SpaceX and Falcon 9 had a long and bumpy road before reaching the milestone, The Verge reported. The first attempt occurred in January 2015 at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Falcon 9 was approaching a barge off the coast for landing, but failed to reduce speeds, crashed and exploded. Billionaire Musk described the event simply as a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly'. The mission was SpaceX's first attempt to land the rocket on an autonomous landing platform at sea. While the launch went well, a failure in its hydraulic control fins brought the rocket down at the wrong angle. The second attempt to land Falcon 9 at sea took place three months later in April - but sadly, Musk watched in horror as his pride and joy botched the landing. 'Ascent successful. Dragon enroute to Space Station. Rocket landed on droneship, but too hard for survival,' he shared in a tweet. In January 2016, SpaceX conducted its eight attempt landing Falcon 9 at sea. But after delivering the payload to orbit, the rocket made a crash landing to Earth It was SpaceX's eighth attempted sea landing, and the fifth time that the rocket didn't survive. Although the booster successfully landed, it was the impact that caused it to tip over - destroying the lower portion of the rocket. SpaceX had noted that landing the rocket upright will be a big challenge in their endeavor and even compared it to balancing a broomstick on your hand. Musk may have felt beaten down, but he and his team were not yet ready to give up. The Billionaire gave it another go in December and this time Falcon 9 finished the mission in one piece. It again made history for becoming the first private company to land a rocket after launching a payload to space. In May 2016, SpaceX strapped cameras on the rocket booster - letting the public get an up-close view of the rocket landing on the barge in its fourth attempt After launching a payload 62 miles into space, the white rocket glided back to Earth and touchdown about six miles from the launch pad. 'The Falcon has landed,' a commentator said above the screams and cheers of people gathered at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. But the celebration did not last long, as in less than a month the reusable rocket had another hiccup that ended in a fiery display. Footage taken from the landing platform showed the craft coming down to rest before one of the stabilizing legs fails, causing it to tip over. The 230-foot rocket came crashing down on to the pad by the force of the impact triggers and explosion which blows the craft apart. Speculating on the cause of the failure, Musk added: 'Root cause may have been ice buildup due to condensation from heavy fog at liftoff.' However, shortly after, SpaceX again attempted its another landing on the autonomous floating ship. The firm added another successful launch to its belt on March 4th, as the unmanned Falcon 9 sped off towards space. But again was met with failure when the rocket attempted to land on the floating barge that sat 400 miles offshore. Grainy video footage showed a bright light approaching the droneship from the upper left, before the live feed cut out. Around half an hour after launch, Musk tweeted: 'Rocket landed hard on the droneship. But a month and five days later, SpaceX hit its mark. Falcon 9 made a successful landing on the barge in the Atlantic ocean on its fifth attempt in April 2016. 'The first stage of the Falcon 9 just landed on our Of Course I Still Love You droneship,' SpaceX wrote on Twitter, after launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 4:43 pm (2043 GMT). Shortly after the landing, NASA spokesman George Diller confirmed that Falcon successfully landed after it had shot Dragon cargo to orbit, which was carrying supplies for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). And it seemed this achievement was what the team needed to keep going. In May 2016, made another successful landing that SpaceX deemed its 'hottest and fastest' yet. The rocket set down on the floating drone ship, cut its engines and was able to maintain the upright position for a graceful landing. SpaceX struck again just days later, but this time the firm strapped cameras on the rocket booster - letting the public get an up-close view of the rocket landing on the barge in its fourth attempt. Following these achievements, SpaceX made six more successful landings leading up to the major achievement of reusing the Falcon 9 as a delivery rocket to the ISS. These feats have suggested that the firm may carry out its mission after all - enabling humans to live on distant planets. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4383716/GIFs-share-life-SpaceX-s-Falcon- 9.html Curt Lewis