The damage may not be as extensive as when the rocket crash on the ship, but it is in a different location, such as below the waterline rather than to the deck and the structures on/above the deck.

Localfluff asked: “Will they be able to build a new center stage for May, as planned for the next launch?”

My understanding is that the next Falcon Heavy rockets will be of the Block 5 variety. I am beginning to think that SpaceX is not confident enough that the previous variety(s) is as capable of three flights as they had believed, because they seem too willing to expend them rather than fly them a third time.

He also said if he could pick a core to lose, it would be the center core; all he REALLY wanted to recover was the titanium grid fins on the side cores because “wow, those are expensive”! Center core has the old-style grid fins.

All four thrusters are raised out of the water and stored in their towing position, and the barge doesn’t look particularly damaged. Musk’s “So the information I received was that we hit the water at about 300 miles an hour, roughly 500 kilometers an hour. So that’s hard. And about 100 meters away from the ship. Which was enough to take out two thrusters and shower the deck with shrapnel.” was based on initial reports and might have implied more damage than actually occurred. It is possible that “take out two thrusters” could mean as little as stalling their diesel engines.

I would love to hear how people who run the Thrustmaster phone support line react when they see a SpaceX phone number come in on a call.

“OK, how did you destroy the unit this time? Explosion? High speed impact? Burned it?” Each time, a new method of destruction.

I do think the video, if they got any, should be epic.

It is interesting that they literally JUST tested this landing profile with GovSat (that Kirk notes the Air Force had to blow up for them… How awesome is that? ).

And another two launches in Feb planned. Woo Hoo! fun times!

Wernher von Braun turned in his grave coffin when he heard that those first Falcon 9 land impact events didn’t sink the ship even when it was a bulls eye hit! Hopeless. Terrible. Grueling. Won’t win the war this way.

He promised to release any video footage if they can recover the cameras.