Very good point. It may not in terms of pure time or money. But in terms of eliminating "unknowns", it will certainly save them many headaches. Generally the un

Very good point. It may not in terms of pure time or money. But in terms of eliminating "unknowns", it will certainly save them many headaches. Generally the unknowns are what cost you in development efforts. In this case, was it the variability of a water platform (however minute) that caused the over correction, or was it a fault of a piece (i.e. valve or something similar) in the rocket? When doing something new it's much easier if you eliminate all unknown variables except for one. So first, develop a controlled rocket that can hover and land on land (grasshopper). Next develop one that can hover and land on water. Now all major unknowns are eliminated except for the big one, landing a rocket from space, on either a water platform or a land platform. However, you will now be able to discern whether the issue is related to the water platform or just the general difficulties of landing a rocket hurtling down from space.