Space X barge landing failure

[Somnium]

The Space X barge landing failed the other day. coming so close but ultimately it toppled over and exploded due to one of the legs not locking in place. the explanation being thrown around was that it didn't lock due to ice caused by the foggy launch conditions. this is a little confusing ... how on earth does ice withstand a launch, re-entry and landing. Am i missing something here? i just cant see how this could have been the issue unless the ice caused damage prior to lift off.

[pluto]

I would have thought the ice would form from condensation as the, relatively warm, booster is passing through the colder parts of the atmosphere, most probably on it's way down - but I could be totally wrong about that!

So close though! at least they got a cool explosion vid out of it (not to mention the complete success of the primary mission)
Glad they landed the last one so the pressure's off a bit :)

[Somnium]

it was extremely close, such a shame. i have been watching their launches live and it was such a shame to see the failure in July (i believe that was when it was). but they are definitely improving their landing. compared to the other landing failures they have had, this was unbelievably close. watching the successful landing live was amazing, i am surprised at how little coverage it got, that is a game changer!

Elon mentioned that it was likely caused by ice build up due to the fog conditions prior to launch, not on re-entry, it must have then damaged something prior to lift off

[deanm]

Ice can persist through a full heat-shield re-entry (if in the right place).

One of the Shuttles once landed with a large icicle still present outside, up behind the flight deck - a leaking valve shedding water.

SpaceX's 1st stage doesn't do a full heat-shield re-entry (it's still sub-orbital) and the propulsive burns to bring it back are brief, with sustained firing of the centre engine only just before touchdown - by which stage previously-accumulated ice could prevent proper leg deployment & locking.

Dean
It just ocurred to me: SpaceX need to borrow from the astro community.

What they need is a bunch of dew straps/heaters to avoid ice formation where critical!

[Somnium]

interesting, i would have thought the proximity to the engines during landing would have vaporised any ice on the feet

[RobF]

The enthusiasm of their relatively young operations room team during the successful landing was pretty infectious. Hope they keep on chalking up the successes. Private enterprise seems the best bet to speed up options outside Earth.

(just as long as they don't plan to bring back any giant killer aliens they find on desolate planets......:question:)

[Somnium]

+1 to that. it is amazing what you can do when you are not tied to political constituents, lobbying and a congress budget.