10 ms·
> It's possible that SpaceX programed the AFTS to trigger some time after the rocket touched down in the water. Just to make sure that it completely submerges q
by stetrain 2y ago
> It's possible that SpaceX programed the AFTS to trigger some time after the rocket touched down in the water. Just to make sure that it completely submerges quickly.
The SpaceX host on the stream said that they were going to try and touch it down on the water at more of an angle than the previous flight to attempt to get it to survive the initial splash-down so they could get some more data and video footage.
Obviously this wasn't guaranteed to succeed, but it indicates that they weren't planning to immediately detonate the ship on touchdown.
As I recall it was common on the early Falcon 9 landing tests that splashed down in the ocean to also explode after tipping over and smacking the water. Once they're actually landing them on a pad, tower, or ship that should be much less of an issue.
- chippiewill 2y agoYeah, I don't think SpaceX planned for a RUD on tip-over (even if they did anticipate it). I think they've towed stuff in the sea before so I would have thought that'd be their preference if it were possible.
- stetrain 2y agoYeah. It wasn't planned, but was a likely outcome. I'm not sure if they would have actually attempted to tow this one somewhere given its location in the Indian Ocean, but they might have taken the opportunity to do some inspections before sinking it.
- LorenPechtel 2y agoThey don't want the booster actually landing in the water. They managed to do one test so well it survived--and then it became a hazard to navigation.