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SpaceX presents a rockin' vision of recyclable space travel

SpaceX wants to make space exploration cheaper by reusing its rockets. See how it plans to do it, set to a thumpin' soundtrack.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Expertise Solar, solar storage, space, science, climate change, deregulated energy, DIY solar panels, DIY off-grid life projects. CNET's "Living off the Grid" series. https://www.cnet.com/feature/home/energy-and-utilities/living-off-the-grid/ Credentials
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Eric Mack

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Recycling is good for Earth and space. Video screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET

For years now, SpaceX founder CEO Elon Musk has been talking up the notion of reusable rockets to drive down the, uh, astronomical cost of the space program.

He's put billions where his mouth is with the development of rockets that return home in one piece after carrying their payloads beyond Earth's atmosphere; although, the first test run of that technology didn't exactly land as softly as hoped. Despite the explosions, SpaceX did come close to successfully landing a Falcon 9 rocket on a drone-barge landing pad thing-y after it helped launch a payload to the International Space Station.

As if to help erase potential doubts given the number of spacecraft meeting fiery ends in recent months, SpaceX put out a video of how its reusable rocket program should work when fully operational, complete with an inspiring hard-rock soundtrack straight out of the early years of the X Games.

Perhaps by the time Falcon rockets are making routine soft landings, we'll get the SpaceX Mars landing concept video with some sweet dubstep sounds.

Check out the video below.