> English isn't my first language but "but explodes seconds later" implies to me the fact it reached space doesn't actually matter and the whole thing is a fail

> English isn't my first language but "but explodes seconds later" implies to me the fact it reached space doesn't actually matter and the whole thing is a failure. I don't think that is the case at all. The word 'however' could have been used just as well here. "We ran a good race, but finished second". The 'but' does not imply a negation of all success, but instead a lack of achievement of all successes. I speak French, it's effectively the same. "We went for 100%, but in the end got 90%". "On voulais 100%, mais a la fin on a gagne 90%". Presumably the end goal of the space ship was not to explode in space, but to also return as well. It all comes down to an expectation that the rocket was to do more. If said with a simple "and", it's unclear whether that was the end goal or not. I suspect you're perhaps reading mal-intent where there is really none.