I remember reading somewhere that the actual shell of the rocket is surprisingly thin and very fragile against horizontal forces.
Think of it like a very long can of soda with a ton of lead at the bottom. Any kind of attempt to keep it upright only at the top will most likely end up damaging the shell.
That's why their method of securing it after it lands is to weld the feet, the bottom of this thing is pretty much the only part that's solid, the rest is flimsy as hell in every direction but one.
Think of it like a very long can of soda with a ton of lead at the bottom. Any kind of attempt to keep it upright only at the top will most likely end up damaging the shell.
That's why their method of securing it after it lands is to weld the feet, the bottom of this thing is pretty much the only part that's solid, the rest is flimsy as hell in every direction but one.