Rocket Lab to Attempt Mid-Air Rocket Booster Catch with Helicopter

Rocket Lab Targets Mid-Air Booster Recovery

Following the success of its third booster recovery, Rocket Lab’s CEO, Peter Beck, has announced the company’s intention to attempt a mid-air capture of the booster using a helicopter. This ambitious endeavor is projected to occur within the first six months of the coming year.

Successful Ocean Splashdown

Last week marked a significant achievement for Rocket Lab, with the successful recovery of the Electron launcher’s first stage via an ocean splashdown. This mission successfully deployed two BlackSky geospatial imaging satellites into low Earth orbit. A helicopter was stationed nearby during the recovery operation, but its role was limited to observational duties.

The long-term objective of Rocket Lab’s reusability program has consistently been to achieve mid-air booster recovery, and the company is now nearing the point where this can be realized.

Preparing for the Catch

According to Beck, the primary focus between now and the attempted capture is ensuring helicopter readiness. The helicopter designated for the mid-air catch will require a substantially increased lifting capacity and payload allowance compared to the aircraft used during the recent splashdown.

The first stage of the Electron rocket has a mass of approximately 980 kilograms, necessitating a robust aerial platform.

Balancing Recovery with Customer Commitments

“Integrating this flight into our schedule, given our very busy manifest, is a key consideration,” Beck stated during a press briefing. “Our priority remains the timely delivery of services to our customers.”

The company aims to conduct the mid-air recovery flight as soon as practically feasible, ideally within the first half of the next year.

Future Flights and Learning Opportunities

Rocket Lab has a series of commercial launches planned before the mid-air recovery attempt, though these missions will not involve booster recovery procedures. Beck emphasized that a crucial learning milestone will be achieved when the company can successfully capture the booster and return it to the factory without water damage.

Anticipating a Busiest Year

Looking ahead, Beck anticipates a particularly active year for Rocket Lab. This increased activity is partly a response to the coronavirus-related restrictions in New Zealand, which have limited the company’s launch frequency throughout the current year.

While a specific launch number for the next year wasn’t provided, Beck expects it to be the company’s busiest year to date.