• mkwt@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      They later said it was less than 1 mile away from the target spot.

      A big benefit of the ocean is if the capsule loses all attitude control, it can still reenter and survive. But it will be a “ballistic reentry”, much more punishing with the g forces, and also about 1500 miles short of the target zone.

      The Pacific Ocean makes it easy to ensure that those backup contingency landing sites are also safe landing sites.

    • felsiq@piefed.zip
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      12 hours ago

      I mean they generally do aim for a specific spot so the ships can be nearby to pick it up, so even aiming for the ocean a perfect bullseye is a valid thing to say lol