This morning’s flight seems to have been a complete mission primary success. No word, though, on recovering the stage. No status updates on relighting engines, entry, etc. Reports of Elon’s and other plane circling the recovery zone. Sea state seems to be good, less than three-foot waves.
[Update a few minutes later]
Rocket booster reentry, landing burn & leg deploy were good, but lost hull integrity right after splashdown (aka kaboom)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 14, 2014
My response:
Was it caused by thermal shock from water contact on hot engine? Maybe try dropping it on an island in the Bahamas instead? @elonmusk
— Rand Simberg (@Rand_Simberg) July 14, 2014