Electron (reusable)

Electron Reusable

Mission Profile

The Electron Reusable is Rocket Lab's modified version of the Electron launch vehicle, equipped with parachutes, thermal protection, and flight computers to enable first-stage recovery and refurbishment after ocean splashdown following helicopter capture operations. Standing 18 m tall with a 1.2 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 12,550 kg, it generates 224 kN of first-stage thrust from nine Rutherford engines and can deliver 200 kg to sun-synchronous orbit. Since its first recovery demonstration in November 2020, Rocket Lab has progressively refined the helicopter capture process, successfully recovering multiple first stages and reflying refurbished boosters to reduce costs and increase launch cadence.