A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
Rocket Lab will next month attempt to bring a rocket back from space.
The United States-based company's next mission from its Mahia launch complex will attempt to slow down the Electron launch vehicle as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere before splashing down in the ocean.
“The complex mission is the next
major step toward making Electron the first orbital-class reusable small launch vehicle, enabling rapid-turnaround launches for small satellites,” a statement from Rocket Lab said.
Scheduled for launch in mid-May, the “Running Out of Toes” mission will be Rocket Lab's 20th Electron launch and the second of three planned ocean splashdown recovery missions.
“Once Electron is at subsonic speeds, a circular parachute is deployed to help further slow the rocket in preparation for a gentle ocean splashdown,” said the statement.
