It seems that the top of the booster fell off when the booster tipped over after a wave hit the droneship. Hopefully not typical.

The bottom portion (RP-1 tank), the landing legs, and the engines stayed on the ship. Octagrabber sustained some damage.

Photos from various Florida Spaceport photographers:

Videos from NSF Space Coast Live:

  • @[email protected]English
    11•11 months ago

    SpaceX had previously noted that newer boosters have an updated landing leg design with much better stability, which would have survived these rough seas.

    Wonder if they duct tape a new aluminum façade to replace the missing lox tank, and mock it up in Cape Canaveral somewhere.