They had a perfect launch, inserted the payload of satellites into orbit, and almost managed to softland the booster for reuse. They came very very close to success, the booster autopilot managed to slow the booster assent, fly it back to the designated landing spot, keep the booster upright, engines pointed down, and land within 1.3 meters, call it four feet, of the desired landed spot. But every little thing has to be just right. One of three landing legs failed under load (or failed to lock into the down position), and with only two legs to stand upon, the booster toppled over and burst into flames.
Which all the newsies are treating as a failure to Space-X. I see it as a good launch and a near miss on landing the booster. Next time, I bet all three legs work perfectly.
Ad Astra.
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