SpaceX's first attempt to land its Falcon 9 rocket back on Earth after a launch failed when the 14-story-tall structure ran out of hydraulic fluid and touched down too hard.
The startup did, however, accomplish the tricky maneuver of positioning the rocket for the landing over a platform floating off the coast of Florida, the BBC reported.
The vehicle was launched on a mission to send a cargo capsule to the International Space Station. But once the first-stage of the rocket completed its part of this task, it tried to make a controlled return.
The company CEO Elon Musk tweeted that it was close, but no cigar; however bode well for the future though.
It would mean that normally disposable rockets could be recovered, refurbished and re-used. It might also point to new ways of bringing spacecraft back down to Earth in general.
SpaceX will attempt the landing again after its next launch. The rocket will carry at least 50 percent more hydraulic fluid. If the landing succeeds, it could usher in an era of much cheaper spaceflight thanks to more reusable rocket parts.