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by kortilla 900 days ago
Flight termination system isn’t relevant when you’re deliberately launching over land. The FTS doesn’t disintegrate the thing
1 comments

In general I agree with the point you are making, but if you will indulge my "well actually..."

From to the Range Commanders Council Range Safety Group, 2010, summary of FTS requirements:

2. produce a small number of pieces, all of which are unstable and impact within a small footprint;

And also another requirement relevant to this particular video where the spent booster clearly had uncombusted carcinogenic hypergolic fuel when it hit the ground:

3. control disposition of hazardous materials (burning propellant, toxic materials, radioactive materials, ordnance, etc.);