Crossword Genius

Safety device in rocket, mode set to malfunction (5,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

smoke detector

'safety device' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'rocket mode set to malfunction' is the wordplay.
'to malfunction' is an anagram indicator.
'rocket'+'mode'+'set'='rocketmodeset'
'rocketmodeset' anagrammed gives 'SMOKE DETECTOR'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for smoke detector that I've seen before include "Kitchen safety device" , "Fire safety device" , "Home safety device" , "Indoor safety device" , "It warns of fire" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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