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Rocket Lab Returns Previously Flown Electron to Production Line in Preparation for First Reflight
(investors.rocketlabusa.com)
this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2024
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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 @threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 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.
Ah yeah, sounds like they worked out it was possible to catch them, but then the simpler approach is to just waterproof more stuff & pick it up with a boat.
Yeah, much like SpaceX abandoned mid-air fairing catch in favour of waterproofing, Rocket Lab seems to be following a similar path with booster recovery.
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.