20 Nov 2020

Rocket Lab to recover rocket for first time

From Midday Report, 12:42 pm on 20 November 2020

Rocket Lab will attempt to recover the largest part of its rocket for the first time today, when it launches its new mission "Return to Sender" this afternoon

The rocket splits into two pieces minutes after take-off, with the largest part - called stage one - falling back to earth.

This time, stage one will be collected shortly after it touches down in the sea, in what is being seen as a crucial step towards Rocket Lab being able to reuse parts of its rockets in the future.

Māni Dunlop spoke to the company's chief executive, Peter Beck, about how it will work.