RocketLab Considers Ending Helicopter Recovery Program

Rocket Lab is reevaluating the implementation of mid-air recovery for its Electron boosters as a means to achieve reusability of the vehicle.

During RocketLabs earnings call, Peter Beck, the Chief Executive of Rocket Lab, shared that they are considering recovering stages from the ocean and refurbishing them for launch rather than catching a stage with a helicopter.

RocketLab attempted 2 recoveries in 2022. The first attempt, the helicopter successfully caught but released for safety, the second attempt the recovery was called off due to momentary losing telemetry from the booster. The booster continued its decent under chute and splashed down in the ocean, where a boat recovered it and returned it to Rocket Lab’s facilities.

Electron Booster HeatShield Following Recovery | Credit: Peter Beck

“This turned out to be quite a happy turn of events...Electron survived an ocean recovery in remarkably good condition, and in a lot of cases its components actually pass requalification for flight.” - Peter Beck, RocketLab Chief Executive

RocketLab is now planning an ocean recovery mission on an upcoming flight where they will incorporate additional waterproofing onto the booster.

“Pending this outcome of testing and analysis of the stage, the mission may move us towards sticking with marine recovery altogether and introduce significant savings to the whole operation.” - Peter Beck, RocketLab Chief Executive

The cost difference between mid-air and ocean recovery is identical. There is an increase in cost with the additional work to waterproof the booster and refurbish it but that can be offset by not needing to operate a helicopter. RocketLab estimats that it can recover 60-70% of Electron launches with water recovery vs about 50% with helicopter recovery.

Electron Aboard RocketLab Recovery Ship | Credit: RocketLab

“In 2022 we proved that it was possible to rendezvous with a returning stage mid-air and get it on the helicopter hook...but if we can save ourselves the extra step by just plucking out in water we will...What the water landing does enable us to do is recover more vehicles because we don’t have the constraints of the operations of the helicopter...So, financially it’s kind of the same, but we get to actually reuse more vehicles.” - Peter Beck, RocketLab Chief Executive