spacetoday.net: Rocket Lab to attempt first stage recovery on next launch

Rocket Lab to attempt first stage recovery on next launch

Posted: Sat, Nov 7, 2020, 7:37 AM ET (1237 GMT)
Electron first stage reentry (Rocket Lab)

Rocket Lab will attempt to recover the first stage of its Electron rocket during its next launch. The company announced Thursday that it will conduct an all-up test of the recovery system on the first stage after testing elements of it, such as its ability to survive reentry. If successful, the stage will splash down about 400 kilometers from the launch site, where boats will retrieve it and bring it back for engineers to examine its condition. Rocket Lab announced last year its intent to reuse the first stage as a means of increasing its flight rate without having to scale up rocket production facilities. That launch is scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 15.