Rocket Lab Launch: BlackSky Satellites & Booster Recovery - Live

Rocket Lab's Third Booster Recovery Attempt

Rocket Lab is aiming to further develop its reusability capabilities with a booster recovery attempt tonight. This will be the third time the company has sought to retrieve the first stage of its Electron rocket.

Mission Details: "Love at First Insight"

The launch, designated “Love at First Insight,” is scheduled for 11:25 PM EST. It will originate from Rocket Lab’s launch complex located on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. A live broadcast of the launch will be available on Rocket Lab’s official website.

Previous Recovery Successes

Rocket Lab has previously achieved successful first-stage booster recoveries on two occasions. This places them among a select group of companies, alongside SpaceX, to have accomplished this feat.

The initial recovery occurred in November 2020, followed by another in May 2021. However, the May 2021 mission unfortunately resulted in the total loss of the payload. Both recoveries involved a parachute-assisted splashdown, and a similar outcome is anticipated for tonight’s attempt.

Helicopter Observation and Future Capture Plans

This recovery attempt introduces a new element: a helicopter will be stationed nearby. Its purpose is to monitor and track the booster during its descent.

The presence of the helicopter signifies Rocket Lab’s progress towards its ultimate reusability goal. This involves slowing the booster’s velocity with a parachute, enabling a helicopter to capture it mid-air. While a mid-air capture isn't planned for this mission, the helicopter will conduct essential tests to validate the operational concept.

CEO Peter Beck stated, “We’ve perfected Electron’s controlled descent, demonstrated flawless parachute deployment, and successfully plucked stages from the ocean. Now we’re gearing up for the next stage – preparing to use a helicopter to catch a rocket as it descends to Earth from space.” He further emphasized, “It’s ambitious, but with each recovery mission we’ve iterated and refined the hardware and processes to make the impossible ordinary.”

Payload and Mission Objectives

The primary objective of this mission is to deliver two BlackSky Earth imaging satellites to orbit. This launch is part of a contract with Spaceflight Inc., involving five launches for BlackSky.

Originally slated for August, the launch was postponed due to COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions in New Zealand.

Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions

CEO Peter Beck explained to investors that operations were disrupted by stringent COVID-19 measures, including stay-at-home orders that prevented launch activities.

BlackSky Constellation Expansion

These two BlackSky satellites will augment the existing seven in orbit. The company intends to expand its constellation to a total of 14 satellites by the end of the year. A previous anomaly, occurring shortly after the second-stage ignition on a prior mission, led to the loss of two BlackSky satellites earlier in the year.

Launch Statistics

This represents Rocket Lab’s twenty-second Electron launch and the fifth mission undertaken this year.