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.
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.