Rocket Lab completes mid-air capture in 26th Electron mission

The ‘There and Back Again’ mission saw Rocket Lab deploy 34 satellites to orbit, now having deployed a total of 146 satellites with the Electron launch vehicle. It launched from Pad A at Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula at 10.49am NZST, 3 May 2022.

After launching to space, Electron’s first stage returned to Earth under a parachute. At 65,000ft, Rocket Lab’s Sikorsky S-92 helicopter met the returning stage and captured the parachute line using a hook on a long line. 

Rocket Lab described the mid-air capture as a major milestone in its pursuit to make Electron a reusable rocket to increase launch frequency and reduce launch costs for small satellites.

After the catch, the helicopter pilot reportedly detected different local 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 its production complex, for analysis and assessment for re-flight.