Rocket Lab successfully catches falling rocket booster with a helicopter
Space launch contender Rocket Lab has successfully demonstrated its peculiar method of capturing spent rocket boosters so they can be re-used: catching them with a helicopter as they fall.
The outfit planned to make the catch on April 29, but bad weather delayed the mission.
The skies cleared today and the mission – dubbed "There and back again" – sent 34 satellites aloft after launching from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. The Electron booster used for the launch then returned to Earth beneath a parachute.
More: https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/03/rocket_lab_booster_catch_success/
...for some value of "successfully" ;)
QuoteThey did release it after hook up as they were not happy with the way it was flying, but no big deal, the rocket splashed down safely and the ship is loading it now.