Rocket Lab video shows practice run for midair rocket catch

As Rocket Lab makes final preparations for its ambitious attempt to catch a first-stage booster as it falls to Earth shortly after launch, the commercial spaceflight company has shared a dramatic video showing a recent practice run in which its helicopter grabs a dummy booster from the sky.

While we await ideal weather conditions for #ThereAndBackAgain, the recovery team has been conducting capture tests using a stage 1 mass simulator. Our pilots make this look easy! 🚀🪂🚁 pic.twitter.com/1r6PZvzBni

— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) April 26, 2022

The video shows the dummy booster falling to the ground. The helicopter flies toward the booster before catching it with a grappling hook. While the helicopter has been carrying dummy boosters back to land during practice flights, Rocket Lab says it will make its first attempt at landing the helicopter and the booster on a nearby recovery ship.

The company said recently that the first stage of the Electron rocket performs a number of complex maneuvers on its descent, allowing it to survive the extreme heat and forces of atmospheric reentry. The helicopter is fitted with a heat shield and a parachute that slows down its descent to make it easier for the pilot to move into position.

Thursday, April 27 is when Rocket Lab will attempt to catch part of its workhorse Electron rocket in its 26th commercial mission. It is fair to say that all eyes will be on the company's booster-catching effort, as there will be 34 satellites deployed for a range of customers.

If it can perfect the maneuver, plucking the booster from the sky rather than letting it fall into the ocean will make it easier for Rocket Lab to modify the vehicle for additional missions. The first-stage boosters of both Rocket Lab and SpaceX are reuses, but they land upright on land or on an ocean-based barge.

Poor weather in the recovery zone off the coast of New Zealand caused a delay in the launch of the There And Back Again mission.

The founder and CEO of Rocket Lab said on Monday that weather is one of the variables that can be eliminated for the first attempt.

The helicopter's attempt to catch the Electron booster will be streamed by Rocket Lab. You can watch it here.

Recommended video