Rocket Lab is attempting one thing completely different throughout right now’s launch of Electron, its reusable rocket. The area firm will try a mid-air seize of Electron’s first stage because it plummets again to Earth. In order to do that, Rocket Lab is deploying a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, a twin-engine helicopter that may seat 19 folks and is usually used for army or presidential functions. While restoration missions for rocket phases are unusual — most end up on the ocean floor — the corporate’s objective is to create a truly reusable rocket that may enable for extra frequent launches.

Rocket Lab has recovered boosters 3 times up to now, first in November 2020 with a parachute, adopted by two sea recoveries in May and November 2021. But this would be the first mid-air retrieval of a booster with a helicopter. Space X — the one different area firm that has efficiently recovered its boosters— normally depends on drone ships.

Electron is scheduled for lift-off on May 2nd at 6:35PM ET from New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, Roughly two and a half minutes after launch, the primary and second rocket phases will separate. The first stage, outfitted with a parachute and a warmth defend to guard it from the tough forces of the environment, will then descend again to Earth. The helicopter at this level will then hook on to the parachute and recuperate the booster.

You can watch a dwell webcast of the launch (and hopefully, the following restoration) beneath on Rocket Lab’s YouTube channel.