sure, saltwater can have some terrible effects, but lets be realistic here...a ship can be strategically placed at the intended LZ with a wash system to minimize the damaging effects
but the helicopter method is way cooler and probably gets more youtube hits with these promo vids so in the end they get more exposure and more cool factor.

Isn't it usually dissimilar metals in saltwater that have the problems - ISTR that this can be alleviated by a sacrificial anode.

It's not just a tin can. It's the rocket engine and all the associated electronics, connectors, valves, actuators, switches etc. I'm not surprised they want to keep that out of the briney.

:ok:

skadi

lets for a second assume all those parts aren't properly sealed and protected to begin with, and then we can understand why they'd all be garbage from the take off, and re-entry, long before they splash down in some water.

Garbage? Those SpaceX Falcon 9 boosters prove the opposite....

skadi

You should probably do the next one so everyone knows how to get it down as quickly as possible.

Pump the brakes Cheif , just a little personal joke for the pilot. I know he reads this forum most days.

But if I get hold of a rocket ill be sure to post a vid of me punching it off the long line.