Why would they prefer a lake to solid ground? If there was a fuel budget for return to launch site, they’d do that before flying it into a lake. Hell, they’d la

Why would they prefer a lake to solid ground? If there was a fuel budget for return to launch site, they’d do that before flying it into a lake. Hell, they’d land it on a patch of grass before dumping it in water. There’s nothing to be gained by making the rocket wet (or a lake all rocket-y, those things are dirty with soot and stuff). They just weren’t sure that it wouldn’t punch a big fat hole in the ship (plus the ship is needed for Falcon Heavy next week), so they’d rather have the rocket get all seawatery than the ship hole-y. As long as the telemetry comes back, who needs an old rocket? Might still learn something from retrieving it but it’s not worth reflying as this booster was an older version that is rather expensive to refurbish.