It actually WAS successful … at identifying problem area(s) that needed to be addressed. That’s what testing is for. IMHO, of course.
Yes, it was a successful test for the reasons you gave. However, our pathetic society has been programmed to expect a project to be bi-state…either totally successful or totally failure.
I am glad that SpaceX understands the concept of testing and learning.
I wholeheartedly agree. The main reason the Falcon 9 launches and landings have become so routine (and a little boring) is that without early failures there will be no later success.
Becoming routine and boring is a good sign that they're doing their job right.
And actually, the main reason is, SpaceX is privately capitalized, instead of the way the welfare rocket industry operates.