Falcon 9· guided tour

Landing Legs

the feet

Four legs are folded tight against the rocket all the way up. In the last few seconds before touchdown, they swing out and lock — and the booster sets itself down standing up, ready to fly again.

How many
4
Material
Carbon fibre + aluminium
Deploy
seconds before landing
How it works

The legs stay folded for the whole flight because sticking out would ruin the rocket's shape and slow it down. They only open right at the end, when the booster is already slowing down over its landing spot.

For the grown-up

Carbon-fibre with aluminium honeycomb, deployed by high-pressure helium. Each leg has a crushable core telescoping strut that absorbs residual touchdown energy. Later Block 5 boosters retract their legs for horizontal transport rather than being craned.

Falcon 9 Block 5 — specifications