I'm old enough to recall that it wasn't always amazing technology. There were numerous early rocket failures that were spectacular (and incredibly costly, no doubt), to say the least.
I often wonder how the scientists and engineers managed to find the cause or rectify the design/assembly/electrical/fuel/name-your-problem errors, after such destructive explosions and losses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Zy4cVrAME