Helicopter Recovery Testing Operations Begin

Rocket Lab has begun its new phase of testing in their efforts to more reliably and affordably recover first stage rockets. The ultimate goal of rotary-wing aerial recovery draws closer as the company begins using helicopters to observe and track their Electron rocket's first stage as it descends back to earth. If successful, the Electron could be the world's first reusable, orbital-class commercial small rocket. The most recent Love At First Insight mission was arranged for BlackSky through space services provider Spaceflight Inc, and made for Electron's 22nd launch from Rocket Lab's complex 1 in New Zealand. The successful launch enabled the delivery of 2 BlackSky Gen-2 Earth-Imaging satellites i