The problem as I understand it, and I think what smoyer was talking about, is that there are no other viable landing methods for the rocket than &quot;feet&quot; first.<p>Sufficient thrust is only available from the main engines, and those only point in one direction.<p>So if it starts to tilt off vertical then the rocket has no way to right itself after a point (and certainly no way to counteract gravity). Gravity + tall enough rocket + landing on side = boom (or crumple).<p>So &quot;stick it or bust&quot;?