section_path: Capabilities/Reusability/Recovery of second stages
section_name: Recovery of second stages
paragraph_text: Recovery of second stages
  
  Despite public statements that they would endeavor to make the second-stage reusable as well, by late 2014, SpaceX determined that the mass needed for a heat shield, landing engines, and other equipment to support recovery of the second stage was prohibitive, and abandoned second-stage reusability efforts.