Tech

Rocket Lab captures mid-air turbocharger for the first time with a helicopter


Rocket Lab has taken a big step forward in transforming its Electron orbiter into a reusable rocket. The company successfully captured Electron’s first stage mid-air by helicopter for the first time as it returned to Earth after implementation 34 satellites in orbit. To ensure that the early stage would survive as it re-entered the atmosphere, Rocket Lab reoriented it at an ideal angle so it had the best chance of withstanding the extreme heat and pressure. A dummy parachute is then deployed to increase drag before the main parachute opens at the end of its landing.

The company dispatched a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to the rendezvous point at 6,500 feet in the air, using a hook to the cable to capture the booster’s parachute cord. While the catch was a success, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck say on Twitter that the pilots were not satisfied with the way the turbocharger hung below the helicopter and chose to drop it into the ocean. It was eventually recovered and put on board for transport back to Rocket Lab headquarters for re-flight evaluation.

Rocket Lab says the test has given its helicopter pilots “different payload characteristics from previous testing experience” and will provide important information for future helicopter shooting. The goal is to be able to grab the turbocharger mid-air and bring it straight back to land instead of having to drop it in the ocean, as salt water could damage the booster. If the company successfully demonstrates that it can reuse its boosters similar to what SpaceX can, it could increase launch frequency and reduce mission costs for small satellites.

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said:

“Bringing a rocket back from space and capturing it by helicopter is something of a supersonic ballet. A lot of elements have to come together and a lot of systems have to work perfectly together, so I extremely proud of the outstanding efforts of our Restoration Team and all of our engineers who made this mission and our first success. phased it out and determined what changes we might want to make to the systems and processes for the next helicopter catch and ultimately the flight again.”

The company has another launch scheduled for May, but it is unclear if it will attempt to recover another helicopter.

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