SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster arrives at Port Canaveral following Christmas mishap at sea
The mangled cylindrical base of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster was the site of a unique yet unfortunate spectacle as it was transported back to Port Canaveral after a Christmas mishap at sea.
The booster, identified as B1058, had tipped over atop its drone ship amid rough seas and gusty winds. It floated home via a small watercraft flotilla, with cables dangling from its base into the waters of Port Canaveral.
On Tuesday, as the wreckage slowly motored along the port channel, spectators gathered at places like Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill to witness the unusual sight. “The first time you see it, it’s completely destroyed,” said Danny Grove, a software engineer. “But honestly, it’s still a really cool sight to see.”
The booster, which had completed its 19th and final flight, was returning from a mission when it encountered the mishap. SpaceX officials confirmed that high winds and waves had caused the booster to tip over on the droneship.
Previously, the booster had launched astronauts to the International Space Station and completed several other missions. “This one reusable rocket booster alone launched to orbit 2 astronauts and more than 860 satellites — totaling 260+ metric tons — in ~3.5 years,” SpaceX officials tweeted.
Its arrival at Port Canaveral comes just days before SpaceX may attempt to launch two rockets from the Cape. One of the missions includes a national security launch for the US Space Force’s secretive X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle.
For space enthusiasts and locals, the return of the booster is a bittersweet event. Michael Schwarz, who owns Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill, described it as “exciting” and “a unique view.”
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