Rocket Lab - Electron “There And Back Again” Mission patch.
May 3, 2022
Electron launches “There And Back Again”
Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle launched the “There And Back Again” mission, 34 small satellites to a Sun-synchronous orbit, from Launch Complex 1 Pad A on Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, on 2 May 2022, at 22:49 UTC (3 May, at 10:49 NZST).
Electron launches “There And Back Again” and Electron first stage recovery
The mission is Rocket Lab’s 26th Electron launch overall. For the first time, Rocket Lab successfully completed a mid-air capture of Electron’s first stage as it returns from space using parachutes and a helicopter.
Electron’s first stage as it returns from space using parachute
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck added via tweet: “Incredible catch by the recovery team, can’t begin to explain how hard that catch was and that the pilots got it.
Image above: The company’s Sikorsky S-92 did end up catching Electron, but offloaded the booster into the Pacific moments later.
They 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.”
Related article:
Rocket Lab - Bring in the chopper!
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2022/04/rocket-lab-bring-in-chopper.html
Related link:
Rocket Lab: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/
Credits: Photos and video footage courtesy of Rocket Lab/SciNews/Screen captures, text by Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
