You are like grasshopper.
One of four landing legs for the new SpaceX rocket, with a huge carbon fiber layup and hydraulic ram. During liftoff, it lies flush against the body, and then acts as an air brake on the return.
From SpaceX mission control today, where the static fire of the new rocket went well (photo below), clearing the way for the maiden launch at the end of the month. If all goes well, the booster will pivot after stage separation and do the first supersonic retro-burn, bringing it back toward the launch site, where it will pivot again, and land under thrust not parachute. All of this is a bonus test routine after the satellite payload is on its way into orbit.
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