Rocket Lab tested an engine from a space rocket that had already flown

At the end of June Rocket Lab had launched the CAPSTONE mission on behalf of NASA, the first of the Artemis era. This will serve to prove what the orbit will be used by the Lunar Gateway in the coming years, an orbit never used during the previous Apollo missions. But the company had also made an important launch in May, attempting the first recovery “on the fly” of a first stage of a Electron space rocket.

As stated Peter Beck (CEO of the company) some time ago “I think anyone who isn’t developing a reusable launch vector right now is developing a product with no future because it’s so obvious that this is a fundamental approach that needs to be thought about from day one.”. SpaceX’s successes with Falcon 9 have pushed the competition and in the coming months too Electron it could become a real (light) reusable carrier, obviously waiting for Neutron, the next big step forward. These days the company has rekindled for the first time a Rutherford engine that had already been used for a mission. A first success on the way to reuse.

Rocket Lab rekindles an engine already used for a space launch

As explained by the company and the CEO Peter Beckin recent weeks the teams are carrying out a series of tests and retraining the components of the first stage of a Electron space rocket already employed for the mission There And Back Again of 2 May. In particular, the first stage structure and obviously the engine section (which is the most complex) are being examined.

The re-ignition of a Rutherford engine from Rocket Lab used since Electron rocket it was a pivotal moment. In particular, the recovery operations did not go exactly as planned. In fact, after returning, the parachute opened correctly and the helicopter had hooked it. The weather conditions, however, forced the latter to release it (gently) into the ocean and then be recovered.

Now the company has run the same tests on this engine as it was a new unit. This means one static fire from 200 “ with multiple restarts and managing to generate 21 kN thrust within 1000 “ from power on. Data that is identical to that of a new model showing how, even when reused (and coming into contact with salt water) the engine is still in excellent condition.

Rocket Lab is working on the next mission that promises to still use a helicopter for recovery “on the fly” of the first stage, this time bringing it directly back to the mainland. All time Peter Beck also announced that the company has achieved i 300 engines Rutherford products with 3D printing. If all goes as planned, already in 2023 it will be possible to see a fly again Electron rocket. A new success for the space market.

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