SpaceX fails third sea landing, historic Falcon 9 test fired [Update: video added]
So near yet so far. Not all third times are charms as SpaceX launched NASA's Jason-3 satellite into space. While the launch itself was successful, unlike SpaceX's explosive last NASA mission, it didn't completely end on a happy note as far as the aim to land at sea is concerned, due to a mishap in one of the first stage rocket's legs. Interestingly, CEO Elon Musk doesn't seem at all dismayed, even almost chirpy. Probably because this time, the rocket didn't explode into smithereens.
"At least the pieces were bigger this time," tweeted Musk. That is in stark contrast to the previous two attempts that saw the rocket explode in fiery balls of fail. This time, some pieces are probably salvageable. Or at least identifiable. SpaceX says that its data showed that Leg #3 of the rocket didn't lockout, which caused a hard landing and eventually broke the leg.
Nevertheless, it's a marked improvement over the previous two tries, which probably helps Musk keep that optimistic outlook. At the same time, he's also being realistic that it won't be the last RUD or Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, a tongue in cheek acronym for something that goes "BOOM!".
Musk himself admits that landing on sea is a lot harder than on land, similar to landing on an aircraft carrier. But SpaceX still insists on going this route even after having already proven a successful ground landing. The reason is economical, as it would take less fuel to land a rocket somewhere along its parabolic course than to navigate it back to its launch site.
In other but related news, SpaceX also test fired Falcon 9 that did survive its landing. Not in another launch, of course. Just to see if it can still fire up at all. Although the test data looked good, Musk admitted that Engine #9 showed thrust fluctuations, which he attributed to possible debris inside the engine. The ultimate fate of this historic rocket remains unknown.