Rocket Lab has seen mixed results from its efforts to catch rockets with helicopters and it may abandon the effort altogether.
During the company’s most recent earnings call, CEO Peter Beck said a recently launched rocket survived an ocean recovery in “remarkably good condition.”
WATCH: Aerospace Company Wants to Try Helicopter Catch Again
Rocket Lab said it plans to try another ocean recovery soon after adding more waterproofing modifications.
“The mission may move us towards sticking with marine recovery altogether and introduce significant savings to the whole operation,” Beck said.
He said ocean recoveries add flexibility to launch windows and boost Electron mission recoveries to about 60% or 70%.
Rocket Lab last year managed to catch a rocket with a hook hanging from a helicopter but had to drop it in the water due to safety concerns.
