SpaceX rocket destroyed in failed ocean landing attempt

[Buster's Uncle]

SpaceX rocket destroyed in failed ocean landing attempt
Reuters  16 hours ago



A crane steadies the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket as it rests on a landing zone near the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Canaveral, Florida, December 22, 2015. REUTERS/Steve Nesius



CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - A SpaceX Falcon rocket thrust a communications satellite into orbit on Friday before the reusable main-stage booster turned around, soared back towards Earth and was destroyed when it failed to land itself on a platform in the ocean, the company said.

SpaceX, owned and operated by technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, previously said the chances of a successful return landing of the rocket's main stage at sea were slim, given its high speed when it separated from the spacecraft.

A returning Falcon rocket main stage successfully touched down on a ground-based landing pad near the launch site in December following a less-demanding launch.

(Reporting by Irene Klotz from Cape Canaveral; Editing by Steve Gorman and Sandra Maler; Editing by Steve Gorman)


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