Rocket Lab Achieves Historic Mid-Air Rocket Booster Catch with Helicopter
Discover how Rocket Lab successfully captured a falling rocket booster mid-air using a modified Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, marking a revolutionary step in reusable rocket technology.
After nearly three years of meticulous preparation, California-based aerospace company Rocket Lab has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully catching a falling booster stage of its reusable Electron rocket mid-air for the first time. Originally scheduled for April 19, the mission took place on the night of May 3.
The capture sequence begins at the 52-minute mark of the broadcast.
For this unprecedented feat, Rocket Lab employed a specially modified Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. The helicopter skillfully snagged the rocket's descending booster, which was slowed by a braking parachute, using a hook at approximately 2 kilometers altitude. This occurred shortly after the booster successfully deployed 34 small satellites into orbit.
Following the capture, the helicopter pilot reported experiencing higher-than-anticipated loads exceeding test limits. Prioritizing safety, the pilot chose to release the booster, allowing it to splash down in the ocean. The booster was subsequently retrieved from the water and transported back to land. According to Rocket Lab, the booster remains in excellent condition, though its immediate reusability has yet to be determined.
Rocket Lab's innovative approach aims to significantly reduce production costs and turnaround times between launches of their Electron small rockets. Successfully catching and recovering booster stages upon Earth re-entry could eliminate the need to manufacture new stages from scratch for every mission, marking a major advancement in sustainable spaceflight.
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