PROGRESS REPORT: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

For almost three weeks, we have been working on a video that was (for the most part) indecipherable. After many hours of work from a bunch of highly committed experts, now we have enough images to actually interpret what exactly happened one month ago (April 18), with Space X's CRS-3 first stage booster. And let me tell you: the recovered images tell an amazing story!For this analysis, I considered all the i-frames that are on the wiki and a few p-frames that have been posted here. To put things on a time line, I used the same clock that appears on the video itself.The first 4 seconds of the video (19:35:01-19:35:04), reveal the controlled descent of the booster. This part of the video is composed of 4 i-frames and around 48 p-frames. All i-frames from this phase where successfully extracted, but only two have been repaired so far. To this day, the p-frames also remain untouched. As most of the work has been oriented into other (more interesting) sections of the video, the effort to recover images from this phase has been limited.However, with the small number of images we have obtained so far, we can confirm that the booster went in a controlled descent over the ocean, falling vertically in the intended position for landing. As we do not have any reference points, at this time it is impossible to asses the degree of rotation or the speed of the rocket. However, we can confirm that the booster was in one piece and looking good (expect for some splashes of dirty water, that actually have played an important role in the reconstruction of the frames)The next seven seconds of the video (19:35:5-19:35:12), with 5 iframes and about 80 p-frames, show the entire process of leg deployment. All five iframes have been fixed, and p-frames are slowly starting to emerge. From these, we can confirm that the leg deployment was successful. The latest version of frame 72 show no legs yet but leg deployment is clearly visible on frame 92. We can assume that the process started somewhere in between.From the images we have so far, it seems that there was a slight difference between how right and left legs deployed. It seems either the left one (from the perspective of the camara) deployed some milliseconds earlier or the legs actually deployed at different speeds. Legs appear to reach a 90 degree angle with respect of rocket around frame 131 (in this frame they appear to be longer for this reason). That frame has also the best view of the legs, and with that we can confirm that they were in prime condition (there was some speculation here at some point of a possible hole in the right leg: that was just an image artifact that has been used by some here to actually get the macro blocks in the right place). Deployment continues and legs get to be close or at landing position at iframe 150. The precise end of leg deployment is somewhere in the p-frames that precede or follow iframe 150.The next five seconds of the video (19:35:12-19:35:17), show a successful landing. We currently have 4 very clear iframes and several fixed p-frames from this phase. The rocket continued to fall vertically, this time with the legs (at least the two visible ones) completely deployed. The supersonic exhaust stream from the rocket becomes visible on iframe 189, as it hits the water and dissipates horizontally. Considering the tests done with the grasshopper and the 9FR, we can assume that the engine has been running all this time, but the flame was not visible before as it was directly under the rocket (I'm guessing only the center engine is running, while the ones outside are only used during lunch). From the most recent p-frames (the sequence was just posted by SwissCheese) in this stage we can confirm that there is almost no rotation in the rocket body (we have enough detail on the ocean to see how things move from one frame to the next). Flame becomes smaller as the rocket gets even closer to the water (Frame 209). Actual touchdown is somewhere in the p-frames between 209-229. On iframe 229, legs seem to be submerged in water following a sucesful touchdown.The last two seconds (19:35:18-19:35:20) show what happens to the booster after it hits the water. We currently have 2 reconstructed images of this phase. Legs appear to partially resurface after the landing. Instants later, the booster starts to tip off. From the original video it seems that it fells on its right side (we will be able to confirm this, once we analyze the pframes from this section). Camera finally dies, only two p-frames after iframe 268.Many times, when things develop slowly, changes tend to pass unnoticed. So let's take a moment to step back, and actually reflect on what has been achieved. Many of us came to this forum for the first time, looking for more details on this landing. And well... we have been able to obtain them!Thanks to everybody that has contributed in some way or another! But in particular to the guys that have been working directly with the frames, and developing the different systems that we all have been using! You are all amazing!Lets continue with the great work! there are still many frames to be fixed, and many more details to be uncovered!