The previously used Rutherford engine passed qualification tests and is set to make history as the first 3D-printed engine to reach space for a second time.
Debuting in 2017, Rutherford is the world’s first 3D-printed rocket engine. Nine of these kerosene-fueled engines power Electron’s first stage, each of them exerting 5,500 pounds of thrust, allowing the rocket to deliver 660 pounds to low Earth orbit. A lone vacuum-friendly Rutherford powers Electron’s second stage.
After its recovery in May 2022, the chosen Rutherford engine underwent extensive testing for recertification, including multiple full mission duration hot fire tests, during which it performed “on par” with unflown Rutherford engines, according to Rocket Lab. The engine is ready to go, but it won’t fly until later this year on account of newly built engines already being set aside and integrated for upcoming missions.
soft parachute-assisted landings in the ocean, typically off the coast of New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula. Rocket Lab has performed six of these ocean recoveries to date. “Reusability for small rockets is immensely challenging as they simply don’t have the fuel margins that larger rockets have to enable propulsive landing,” Beck said. “Despite this significant technical hurdle, our team has poured relentless innovation into our reusability program and proven it’s possible to bring home small rockets and run the engines as good as new.
: “Extensive analysis of returned stages shows that Electron withstands an ocean splashdown and engineers expect future complete stages to pass qualification and acceptance testing for re-flight with minimal refurbishment.” As a result, Rocket Lab is abandoning the helicopter recovery concept in favor of the ship-assisted rescues.Rocket Lab’s There And Back Again mission featured the first mid-air helicopter capture attempt of a returning booster.
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