this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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Rocket Lab successfully completes return-to-flight Electron launch (spaceflightnow.com)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Rocket Lab launched its first flight of its Electron rocket since a failure on Sept. 19. The 42nd mission for the small-satellite launcher lifted off on Dec. 15 from New Zealand during at about 1705 NZDT (0405 UTC or 11:05 p.m. EST).

Launched today from the Mahia Peninsula (Hawke's Bay). Lift off is around the 35 minute mark of the linked video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLwTLqaCnQ8&t=3)

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[–] threelonmusketeers 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If I remember correctly, they haven't reflown an entire booster yet, but they have reflown a Rutherford engine. I believe they are working towards booster reuse with Electron, though I haven't heard much recently.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

True, they’ve recovered at least one booster fully intact (since ditching the helicopter-hook idea), but no reflights yet. I guess they want to do some very thorough structural validation before attempting to refly.

Plus, their launch cadence hasn’t exactly been rapid over the last 2-3 years. Hopefully they can start picking up the pace and that’ll in turn accelerate the progress of their Electron reuse program.