This is relevant now because of the United Launch Aliance's proposed method for capturing the first-stage engine block of their new Vulcan rocket. We've captur

This is relevant now because of the United Launch Aliance's proposed method for capturing the first-stage engine block of their new Vulcan rocket. We've captured missile payloads falling back to Earth using helicopters many times, so this isn't anything uniquely innovating, though hopefully it'll give the ULA a good return on investment, something that'll give SpaceX a run for it's money. The ULA has been openly pessimistic about the ROI for recovery, so it begs the question of why they're even trying this in the first place. The reason is that SpaceX has forced them to. If the ULA doesn't have something to show investors, then they're going to be in trouble. Heirs to even more hairbrained recovery schemes in the near future! This is great stuff!