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Not reusing rockets is ‘a dead-end product’

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One look at the production floor of the company shows several Electron boosters. The typical rocket-shaped black carbon fiber rockets are in the front and a metallic-looking, reusable booster is in the middle.

Rocket Lab

Rocket LabPeter Beck, the CEO of his company, was certain that his rockets wouldn’t be used like this again. Elon Musk’s SpaceX — to the point that Beck promised to eat his hat.

Beck’s tune has been dramatically altered by a few gulps of mixed hat. Rocket Lab’s development program using helicopters to capture Electron boosters from launches is almost complete. designing its Neutron rocket to be reusableWhen it will be available for purchase in 2024

Beck said that “anyone who isn’t developing a reusable rocket vehicle at this time in their lives is developing a dead end product.” Beck spoke to reporters on Tuesday.

Beck’s statement is in line with the sentiment. Musk, who told CNBC in response to a Rocket Lab recovery video that “full & rapid reusability is the holy grail of orbital rocketry.”

Traditionally, the rockets that launch satellites and spacecraft are expendable – meaning the booster, which is the largest and most expensive part of the rocket that gets it off the ground, is discarded after a launch. SpaceX is a pioneer in reusing rocket boosters of orbital class. Musk’s company frequently lands Falcon boosters after launch and reuses them up to ten times.

This composite photo shows a Falcon 9 rocket launcher lifting off, and then landing back at the launchpad.

SpaceX

Next year, helicopter rocket capture

Rocket Lab sent an Electron satellite-carrying mission to carry satellites on its launch. BlackSkyThe booster was recovered from the water by the atmosphere last week.

Beck declared Tuesday, “The next recovery flights that we will make”

Beck stated that the timing of the next rescue attempt will depend on helicopter readiness. Rocket Lab currently has a larger helicopter at work and “needs modifications” to make it ready for Electron.

Beck stated, “We definitely hope to have that flight in the first half next year or as soon possible.”

The company’s Electron rocket booster is a close-up.

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab uses a thermal protection device on the Electron booster that will strengthen it for recovering. Beck explained that this type of graphite makes the carbon fibre rocket look almost metallic.

Beck predicts “around half of the Electron flight’s recovery tests will have been completed by Rocket Lab.” Rocket Lab is committed to improving rocket production.

Beck said that 2021 was a difficult year for the company, with five launches to date. Beck cited New Zealand Covid lockdowns as the biggest problem for his company and said it had slowed down production and schedule.

Rocket Lab plans to rebound next year.

Beck explained that there are a lot of launch vehicles in the room and they will need to get busy for 2022.

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