10 votes

Rocket Lab - the next era (The Rocket Lab Electron Rocket is going reusable, with passive reentry and offshore helicopter capture)

4 comments

  1. cptcobalt
    Link
    The most relevant part of the video starts at 12 minutes in. This is a pretty big move from Rocket Lab, which would theoretically bring down their Electron launch costs, much like another reusable...

    The most relevant part of the video starts at 12 minutes in.

    This is a pretty big move from Rocket Lab, which would theoretically bring down their Electron launch costs, much like another reusable rocket we know. They don't have such a huge margin to get the rocket back, and obviously it's all unproven, but I've got a bit of trust that they'll be successful in doing it.

    They're not naming a target flight yet, they still need to make some instrumentation and stage 1 booster progress, but it doesn't seem that they're going to try for at least three more flights.

    3 votes
  2. [2]
    Eylrid
    Link
    It's good to see Peter Beck sticking to his guns on rocket size, even when a larger rocket would make recovery easier. Parachute recovery is interesting. SpaceX considered that for Falcon 1, but...

    It's good to see Peter Beck sticking to his guns on rocket size, even when a larger rocket would make recovery easier. Parachute recovery is interesting. SpaceX considered that for Falcon 1, but rejected it. It means they don't have to save the extra fuel for entry and landing burns, and don't have to develop the guidance and control system for landing. It'll be fun to watch.

    3 votes
    1. unknown user
      Link Parent
      Believe it or not the final two flights of F1 were indeed equipped with parachutes. As were the first few flights of F9v1.0. It never worked, and the vehicle broke up before they could be deployed...

      Believe it or not the final two flights of F1 were indeed equipped with parachutes. As were the first few flights of F9v1.0. It never worked, and the vehicle broke up before they could be deployed in every instance. Thus why SpaceX performs the reentry burn prior to landing.

      2 votes
  3. spit-evil-olive-tips
    Link
    Their press release: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-announces-reusability-plans-for-electron-rocket/ This sounds...interesting. I hope they livestream these the way SpaceX...

    Their press release: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-announces-reusability-plans-for-electron-rocket/

    The second phase will see Electron’s first stage captured mid-air by helicopter

    This sounds...interesting. I hope they livestream these the way SpaceX does with their drone ship landings.

    2 votes