Rocket Lab catches an Electron stage in mid-air, demonstrating a key part of its rocket recovery plan

Rocket Labis in the process of developing a way to recover the rockets it launches, despite their originally being designed as fully expendable launch vehicles. The company had a surprise announcement on Wednesday: It has already managed to successfully catch an Electron in mid-air, during a test meant to prove out the feasibility of that part of the operation.
The whole process involves Rocket Labemploying an onboard guidance system to orient an Electronfirst-stage to re-enter Earth’s at