Rocket Lab Returns Previously Flown Electron to Production Line in Preparation for First Reflight
Rocket Lab Returns Previously Flown Electron to Production Line in Preparation for First Reflight
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 ...
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.
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.