Rocket Lab launches 34 Satellites and Helicopter Catches Booster for First Time

At 6:35pm EDT on April 29 (1035hrs on April 30 NZST)
The “There And Back Again” mission Electron deployed 34 satellites to a sun synchronous orbit for a variety of customers including Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Spaceflight Inc., and Unseenlabs, and bringing the total number of satellites launched by Electron to 146.

“There And Back Again” is also a recovery mission where, for the first time, Rocket Lab will attempted a midair capture of Electron’s first stage as it returned from space using parachutes and a helicopter.

Credit: Rocket Lab