The article reports that the first stage achieved a near zero velocity landing. Another critical marker that was achieved, which is closely related, is that the first stage's flight dynamics (i.e., pitch, roll and yaw) were correct. Previously, the first stage was destroyed because the flight dynamics were incorrect. Also, the first stage continued to report telemetry for 8 seconds after the water landing.
Does anyone know if the first stage's landing legs were successfully deployed before the water landing? These are the 4 carbon fiber and aluminum legs (each 25ft / 7.6m long) that would be used to land the stage. I know that Falcon 9 launched with them, but I don't know if they were deployed. My suspicion is that they would have attempted to deploy them as well, for verification and validation purposes.
SpaceX hasn't confirmed it, however I would assume that that would be the case. Elon has stated in the past that the legs would provide pitch stability which was missing in the last attempt to relight the first stage. Without it the first stage likely would tumble and a relight would be impossible due to the propellant being centrifuged.
Does anyone know if the first stage's landing legs were successfully deployed before the water landing? These are the 4 carbon fiber and aluminum legs (each 25ft / 7.6m long) that would be used to land the stage. I know that Falcon 9 launched with them, but I don't know if they were deployed. My suspicion is that they would have attempted to deploy them as well, for verification and validation purposes.