The carbon composite first stage tank from the Electron rocket, successfully launched and recovered in January this year, has entered back into the standard Electron production line to undergo final acceptance testing and qualification ahead of reflight. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”) today announced it is returning a previously flown Electron rocket first stage tank into the Electron production line for the first time in preparation for reflying the stage. The step is a significant milestone in Rocket Lab’s development program to make Electron the world’s first reusable small orbital launch vehicle. An Electron rocket that delivered satellites into orbit in January 2024 for Spire and NorthStar has returned to Rocket Lab's production line for final acceptance testing and eventual reflight, a milestone in the company's efforts to increase launch cadence by reusing the booster's first stage. (Photo: Business Wire) Rocket Lab has successfully
Ah I hadn’t realised they had been collecting but nit re-flying them. Sounds like this is the first time the recovered stage has passed testing in order to be reflown.
Are they still working on collecting them by catching them with choppers, or do they just grab them post splash down before they sink?
I’m not sure, maybe @[email protected] knows?
I found this article that says they were considering just grabbing them with a boat when it lands in the water as the helicopter thing was failing a bit.
Ah yeah, sounds like they worked out it was possible to catch them, but then the simpler approach is to just waterproof more stuff & pick it up with a boat.
Yeah, much like SpaceX abandoned mid-air fairing catch in favour of waterproofing, Rocket Lab seems to be following a similar path with booster recovery.
They’ve reflown an engine before, but not an entire booster. For this booster, it would be interesting to know what components (if any) they are planning on replacing before attempting a reflight. It would be quite a jump to go from a single reflown engine to entirely reflown engines in a single mission.