"Booster separation!"
"Separation complete!"
Impacted by the explosive bolts, the four boosters, which provided over 80% of the thrust for the first stage, separated in succession after their fuel was exhausted, forming a perfect Korolyov cross in the eerie flames.
However, they were not falling freely. Compared to the Remote One Booster and Core Stage One, the CZ-10A Remote 2 Rocket had several small grid fins, which were not for recovery, but to divert and control the splashdown area as it fell.
Although Qiongzhou Launch Site Five is located at a lower latitude, the debris from the rocket launch could pass over several countries in the South Sea. To avoid international disputes, rocket designs typically avoid having debris fall into densely populated areas.
The design of the original timeline's CZ-5B rocket, with its semi-orbital design and extended Core Stage One burn time, was also motivated by this consideration.
