Rocket Lab Snares Returning Booster Mid-Air

Capture
A camera aboard Rocket Lab's recovery helicopter captures a view of the returning Electron booster under parachute just prior to its first mid-air capture.
Credit: Rocket Lab webcast
LONG BEACH, California—After successfully launching a 34-satellite rideshare mission from New Zealand, a Rocket Lab helicopter crew snared the returning first-stage booster mid-air for the first time, then released the rocket into the ocean for retrieval by ship. “Wow, I can’t believe we caught it,”...
Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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