Editing Splashdown (section)

==Launch vehicles==
[[File:Freedom Star SRB recovery.jpg|thumb|Space Shuttle SRB being recovered by [[MV Freedom Star|''Freedom Star'']] after splashing down on [[STS-133]]]]
Some reusable launch vehicles recover components via splashdown. This was first seen with the [[Space Shuttle]] [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|SRBs]], with [[STS-1]] launching in 1981. Out of 135 launches, [[NASA]] recovered all but two sets of SRBs.<ref name="NSF SRBs">{{cite web |last1=Gebhardt |first1=Chris |date=8 July 2012|title=One year on – Review notes superb performance of STS-135's SRBs |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/07/final-flight-superb-performance-sts-135s-srbs/ |website=NASA Spaceflight |access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>

[[SpaceX]] has conducted propulsive splashdowns of the [[Falcon 9]] first stage, [[SpaceX Super Heavy|Super Heavy]] booster, and [[SpaceX Starship (spacecraft)|Starship]] spacecraft. These vehicles are designed to land on land or [[autonomous spaceport drone ship|modified barges]] and do not always survive intact after tipping over in the water; SpaceX has mainly conducted propulsive splashdowns for [[SpaceX reusable launch system development program|development flights]]. After the launch of [[SpaceX CRS-16|CRS-16]], the booster experienced a control issue and splashed down in the ocean instead of making an intended landing at [[SpaceX Landing Zone 1|Landing Zone 1]].<ref name="NSF CRS-16">{{cite web |last1=Bergin |first1=Chris |date=13 January 2019|title=CRS-16 Dragon returns to Earth following ISS departure |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/01/crs-16-dragon-departs-iss-return-journey/ |website=NASA Spaceflight |access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>

[[Rocket Lab]] intended to catch the first stage of their [[Rocket Lab Electron|Electron]] rocket with a helicopter as it descended under parachute, but abandoned this idea in favor of parachute splashdown. In 2020, Rocket Lab made their first booster recovery.<ref name="TechCrunchElectron">{{cite web |last1=Coldewey |first1=Devin |title=Rocket Lab makes its first booster recovery after successful launch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/19/rocket-lab-makes-its-first-booster-recovery-after-successful-launch/ |website=TechCrunch |date=19 November 2020|access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>