There are several reasons why landing legs make more sense:<p>– Any flat chunk of cement is a landing spot. That means more places to land in case of contingencies. For yesterday&#x27;s mission, SpaceX had one primary and four alternate landing zones.[1]<p>– I doubt industrial robots can withstand rocket exhaust. As helicopter footage shows, the landing pad got lit-up pretty good.[2] Remember, the first stage is over 40 meters tall. Those are some <i>massive</i> flames.<p>…and most importantly:<p>– Landing legs work on other planets.<p>1. Map: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.americaspace.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;2015&#x2F;12&#x2F;LZ1.jpg" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.americaspace.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;2015&#x2F;12&#x2F;LZ1.j...</a> (from <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.americaspace.com&#x2F;?p=89910" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.americaspace.com&#x2F;?p=89910</a>)<p>2. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=ZCBE8ocOkAQ" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=ZCBE8ocOkAQ</a>