> And yes, when a rocket falls over it will often explode.
Why? Why would a small hit make it explode, when the stress of going from orbit does not?
Why? Why would a small hit make it explode, when the stress of going from orbit does not?
Essentially the right parts just popped like a balloon. Falling on your side involves much different loads than being propelled into orbit. There's little value to designing a rocket to withstand such a fall.
So when the thing topples over, it bends. And when it bends, it ruptures because it's far in excess of the loads under standard conditions.