In the first half of next year, Rocket Lab will try to return the Electron carrier stage using a helicopter. Previously, the company successfully landed it in the ocean several times.
Rocket Lab has officially confirmed that it will try to catch the first stage of its rocket in the air during the next "reusable" mission. It can be held in the first half of 2022.
This was preceded by successful returns of the first stage with splashings: Rocket Lab conducted the last such mission on November 18. In the interval between this launch and the next attempt to return the first stage, Rocket Lab will carry out a number of launches that do not involve its recovery.
The Rocket Lab concept is different from SpaceX's approach. According to the plan, the first stage will be caught in the air by a specially upgraded helicopter. Subsequently, it will be restored and used again for launch.
A reusable rocket is also being actively developed in Russia. In particular, we are talking about the Krylo-SV project, aimed at creating a winged stage capable of returning and landing like an airplane. As it became known in early November, Roscosmos ordered engines for a promising rocket.
