A sea anchor is a pretty lightweight device whose purpose is to create some drag against the water when the wind blows. It can take the shape of a small parachute, but in the water, at the end of a long line. The idea is when the wind blows, endangering the booster, the sea anchor will force the booster to point directly into the wind, thus minimizing wave damage.
> Wouldn't you have to launch that into space, too?
Yes, which is definitely a drawback -- every ounce that isn't payload is regarded as a serious waste, because it all has to be launched at great cost (the ratio of payload to fuel is often greater than ten to one).
On the other hand, the SpaceX people report that the booster was destroyed, so this well-tested idea is very likely in their minds right now.
> Wouldn't you have to launch that into space, too?
Yes, which is definitely a drawback -- every ounce that isn't payload is regarded as a serious waste, because it all has to be launched at great cost (the ratio of payload to fuel is often greater than ten to one).
On the other hand, the SpaceX people report that the booster was destroyed, so this well-tested idea is very likely in their minds right now.