Why did the lander have a lateral velocity at all. Did I understand it correctly their own safety process doomed the mission? That’s safety for you. Failure in a safe manner.
Blah blah blah.
I don’t know why there would be lateral movement across the surface just before touchdown. But at a guess, maybe the landing radar/camera detected rocks and it was manuevering away? Or maybe residual momentum from the de-orbit? Or maybe if they use thrusters for maneuvering for the landing, there will always be some drift?
Personally, I think it appears a bit tall for its base. That must make setting it down more difficult. ...Though Space X has mastered that problem with their Falcon rockets.