The recent successful test by the American company Rocket Lab demonstrated a parachute and helicopter system to recover rocket stages, a method that could potentially be applied to Russian rockets as well, according to space expert Pavel Pushkin. Pushkin, who previously led the private firm CosmoKurs, spoke about the development on socialbites.ca, noting the evolving landscape of reusable rocket technology and the different constraints that may appear in Russian space programs. (Source: SpaceNews)
Pushkin outlined several scenarios for Russia. He pointed out that reusability presents its own set of challenges, especially for large, state-operated missiles. He suggested that while a universal rocket unit from Angara could be recovered, attempting to reuse Angara with the same payload capacity would likely incur a significant reduction in payload mass, calling into question the practicality of reusing such a heavy launcher. The analyst emphasized that the economics would shift if the program focused on ultralight missiles, where innovative recovery methods could yield cost advantages due to skilled crews and efficient operations. In that case, an operator might find it financially viable to maintain reserve units and pursue on-site recovery strategies. (Source: SpaceNews)
Pushkin stressed that Russia has long faced questions about reusability and highlighted historical research into recovery concepts for Angara, specifically the URM four universal rocket modules that comprise part of the Angara system. He recalled discussions about utilizing a large Mi-26 helicopter to hoist these modules, each weighing around ten tons, during the early stages of development. The point was to explore whether helicopter-based recovery could translate into tangible savings or mission flexibility for future launches. (Source: SpaceNews)
Historically, similar capture methods were explored on Soviet helicopters in the late 1970s and 1980s, designed to rescue critical facilities in military and strategic contexts. These early tests demonstrated successful in-flight retrievals and underscored the reliability of airborne capture as a concept. The lessons from that era inform ongoing discussions about whether modern engineering and autonomous systems could improve precision, safety, and repeatability in recovery missions today. (Source: SpaceNews)
In a broader context, Rocket Lab’s previous experiments with a helicopter capture during the Electron rocket’s spent first stage recovery have become a reference point for international programs considering airborne retrieval. The company’s approach has sparked conversations about how foreign launch systems might adapt similar hardware and procedures to support cost-effective reuse, even when operational and geopolitical factors vary. (Source: SpaceNews)