Satellite launch provider Rocket Lab USA Inc RKLB on Thursday said it has successfully launched with a pre-flown engine, making a significant step towards rocket reusability much like Elon Musk‘s SpaceX.
What Happened: Rocket Lab launched a pre-flown 3D-printed Rutherford engine on its “We love the nightlife” mission, which employed its recovery-configured Electron rocket. The rocket was launched from New Zealand on Aug. 24 at 11:45 am NZST and deployed a satellite for American space tech company Capella. The launch also marked Rocket Lab’s 40th Electron launch overall.
“The data is in, perfect performance from the reused engine and the stage,” Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said on X. The particular engine previously flew on the first stage of the ‘There and Back Again' mission launched in May 2022.
“The pre-flown Rutherford engine performed flawlessly today – a major step toward Electron reusability,” Rocket Lab wrote while adding that it has thus far launched 399 Rutherford engines into space.
Why It Matters: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk warned last month that rocket manufacturers must either go all-in on reusability or risk being obsolete.
"No one would buy a single-use airplane, car, or even bicycle! You’d need to tow another car just for the return trip," Musk said. His SpaceX aims to make its rockets reusable in a bid to bring down the cost of spaceflight.
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