The reddit cope in the thread about the crash was astounding. So many people going "actually it is great that it crashed, much better than if it worked because now we get data". Space daddy just made it wrong on purpose.
Classical physics is well understood. Material properties, strengths, fuel chemistry we know it to a great level of detail. All of this we certainly have a very thorough understanding and sufficient computer simulation to be able to design a craft without resorting the trial-and-error that the "yes data!" crowd seems to think is good.
This is ridiculous.
Saying that, there are always variables, and a crash doesn't mean for sure that their engineers suck and didn't design it well or they cheaped out on materials (but it strongly suggests that this is the case).
launch thousands of rockets into space and have them all explode, repeat this until enough data is found. the math adds up.
My favourite bit was when a part fell off the engine like it was Kerbal Space Program.
