Collecting wreckage from the SpaceX F9R

In this case, the external carbon fiber aerocover from RP-1/LOX tank intersection.

I can share now that the “How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booste” incredible SpaceX Blooper Reel just came out.

On Aug 22, 2014, we were at the Texas facility and I filmed the final F9R test flight (the footage is part of the SpaceX post). We started the day with a fun DQ binger, and as we drove out to the launch site, I joked about the big bada boom to come. Not sure why. It was the first flight with three engines going, and a lot more fuel than prior flights. It arched over and something was clearly wrong. Then BOOM!

I suggested to Elon that we should go out to the debris field for post-flight analysis… and artifact collecting!

Someone tried to cheer Elon up with a quote about learning coming from life’s failures. Elon replied: “Given the options, I prefer to learn from success.”

That is the quote I am using on the placards for the wreckage remains.