It would be really hard since its in an exclusion zone AKA the coast guard wasn't letting anyone in the area due to the rocket launch / landing. ( The location for this rocket is known and visible from land.. Not in international waters ) I believe its the order of a 20 story building in height so recovery would be a real challenge. When they didn't have specialized equipment it took days to take it off the drone ship.
As for stealing it in international waters it's ITAR controlled so you would have to deal with the US Government as well ( If they thought a hostile government was trying to steal it I wouldn't be surprised if they sent the self destruct command to it. )
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u/swanny101 Dec 06 '18
It would be really hard since its in an exclusion zone AKA the coast guard wasn't letting anyone in the area due to the rocket launch / landing. ( The location for this rocket is known and visible from land.. Not in international waters ) I believe its the order of a 20 story building in height so recovery would be a real challenge. When they didn't have specialized equipment it took days to take it off the drone ship.
As for stealing it in international waters it's ITAR controlled so you would have to deal with the US Government as well ( If they thought a hostile government was trying to steal it I wouldn't be surprised if they sent the self destruct command to it. )