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IPFS News Link • Space Travel and Exploration

Rocket Lab Has Successful Launch and Recovers First Stage

• Next Big Future - Brian Wang

Rocket Labs successfully launched 34 satellites and recovered the first stage. The "There And Back Again" mission also saw Rocket Lab complete a mid-air capture of the Electron booster with a helicopter for the first time. After launching to space, Electron's first stage returned to Earth under a parachute. At 6,500 ft, Rocket Lab's Sikorsky S-92 helicopter rendezvoused with the returning stage and used a hook on a long line to capture the parachute line. The mid-air capture is a major milestone in Rocket Lab's pursuit to make Electron a reusable rocket to increase launch frequency and reduce launch costs for small satellites. After the catch, the helicopter pilot detected different load characteristics than previously experienced in testing and offloaded the stage for a successful splashdown. The stage is being loaded onto Rocket Lab's recovery vessel for transport back to the Company's production complex for analysis and assessment for re-flight as planned.

They deployed 34 satellites and now have successfully taken up 146 satellites to orbit.


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