The flight termination system is not only standard practice, but also a legal requirement. The risk is that the out-of-control rocket might not explode, and its

The flight termination system is not only standard practice, but also a legal requirement. The risk is that the out-of-control rocket might not explode, and its unpredictable path might return it over land, where its crash could cause considerable damage. It is better to destroy the rocket quickly and intentionally, at a high altitude, where the explosion is unlikely to harm anyone and the debris will fall in the ocean.