When watching the shoot down it appeared that the rocket hit the payload instead of the balloon. Had it been successfully targeted at and hit the balloon itself the payload might have come down in a more recoverable single piece instead of a gazillion pieces scattered over 7 or 8 miles.
Probably what they wanted to do.
“Had it been successfully targeted at and hit the balloon itself the payload might have come down in a more recoverable single piece instead of a gazillion pieces scattered over 7 or 8 miles”
Falling from that altitude it’s more than likely in a gazillion pieces anyway.