Network-based recovery refers to a rocket landing on a massive, ship-borne capture net, instead of landing on landing upright on its engines like a SpaceX Falcon 9. Hooks on the booster get snagged by a net of tensioned steel wires that ride robotic rails sliding into place to meet it. Catching instead of landing has the advantage of shedding the heavy legs and sparing the fuel a soft touchdown burns to hover.
> the world's first network-based recovery of a launch vehicle
What does this mean?
Network-based recovery refers to a rocket landing on a massive, ship-borne capture net, instead of landing on landing upright on its engines like a SpaceX Falcon 9. Hooks on the booster get snagged by a net of tensioned steel wires that ride robotic rails sliding into place to meet it. Catching instead of landing has the advantage of shedding the heavy legs and sparing the fuel a soft touchdown burns to hover.