Only one month removed from SpaceX’s incredible successful landing of the Falcon 9 and now the company is in the headlines once again, this time for the explosive failed landing of another Falcon rocket.
The unmanned rocket was attempting to touch down back on Earth after successfully delivering an ocean monitoring satellite to orbit, with SpaceX attempting to land it on a floating barge in the ocean after its mission. However, according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, one of the rocket’s legs collapsed due to the impact of the landing, causing it to tilt sideways and eventually fall to its fiery doom.
Watch the video of the failed landing below:
Well, at least the pieces were bigger this time! Won’t be last RUD, but am optimistic about upcoming ship landing. pic.twitter.com/w007TccANJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 17, 2016
The company has yet to manage a successful sea landing, but continues to make steady progress in this regard, with the Falcon’s struggles reportedly caused by ice buildup due to the heavy fog at its liftoff. Considering the rocket nearly achieved its landing in spite of this, SpaceX hopes that under better weather conditions it will finally achieve its goal.
