Rocket Lab launched and recovered a rocket mid-air in a world first
The first stage and parachute caught mid-air (left), and the Electron rocket launching (right). It's happened. It's possible. Rocket Lab, a private aerospace firm, launched a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1A on Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, at roughly 6:48 PM EDT - lofting 34 picosatellites and cubesats into orbit, according to the firm's official YouTube channel.
https://interestingengineering.com/rocket-lab-recovered-mid-air