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For the first time, Rocket Lab aims to recover part of its Electron rocket after a mission launched from the Mahia Peninsula this afternoon.
Check out the release here:
CEO Peter Beck said the company hopes to bring Electron’s first stage back to Earth under a parachute system for a controlled water landing before it is collected by a company ship.
Conditions look good at LC-1 for a launch on time this afternoon.
Target takeoff time:
UTC | 01:46
NZT | 14:46
PT | 17:46
And | 20:46 pic.twitter.com/TdDAqhtOQf– Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) November 19, 2020
He said that if the attempt is successful, it will mark an important milestone for the business and make Electron a reusable rocket for small satellite missions.
“Recovering the first stage of a small launch vehicle is uncharted territory. What we are trying to accomplish with Electron is an incredibly difficult and complex challenge, but we are willing to continue to push the launch cadence even further and deliver even more launches. frequent opportunities for small satellite operators, “Beck said in a statement.
We will try to bring Electron’s first stage to Earth under a parachute for the first time during today’s mission. It’s all part of our plan to make Electron a reusable rocket. Read more about how we will do it: https://t.co/hnauZQ6LTU pic.twitter.com/eiL3vKIfgV
– Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) November 19, 2020
The “Return to Sender” mission is Rocket Lab’s 16th launch of Electron and will deploy “30 payloads for a range of small satellite customers to a solar synchronous orbit of 500 km, with recovery attempt as a secondary objective of launch, “Beck said.
Peter Beck says that if the recovery mission is successful, it will be a milestone for the company.
Photo: Supplied / Rocket Lab
While the ultimate goal was to get the first stage back intact, the mission would be considered successful if it collected a lot more data as well.
Electron’s first stage will perform the following complex maneuvers on its journey back to Earth:
- Two minutes after lift-off, at an altitude of around 80 km, Electron’s first and second stages will separate according to standard mission procedure. Electron’s second stage will continue into orbit, where the kick stage will separate and deploy the satellites.
- With the motors off in the Electron first stage, a reaction control system will reorient the stage 180 degrees to place it at an ideal angle for reentry, designed to allow it to survive the incredible heat and pressure known as “the wall.” “during his descent to Earth
- After slowing down to less than Mach 2, a drop parachute will be used to increase drag and stabilize the first stage as it descends.
- In the final part of the descent, a large main parachute will be used to further slow down the stage and allow for a controlled landing.
- A Rocket Lab ship will reclaim the stage.
Electron’s first stage is equipped with guidance and navigation hardware, a reaction control system, and onboard flight computer systems to support recovery.
If Rocket Lab’s take-back program is successful, Electron would become the first and only reusable orbital-class small launch system in operation, the company said.
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