splashdown

It plunged into the Gulf of Mexico rather than making the planned controlled splashdown.

Their SpaceX capsule made a fast and fiery re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere, before four parachutes opened to take them to a gentle splashdown off the coast of Florida.

It was due to make a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean roughly an hour after its launch from Boca Chica, Texas.

The uncrewed spacecraft was sent on its way to a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, while the booster returned to earth less than seven minutes later.

So far we’ve only seen what might be called a simulated landing at sea, or 'splashdown'.