Mesh left in rocket damaged (9)
I believe the answer is:
interlock
'mesh' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'left in rocket damaged' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'damaged' is an anagram indicator.
'l'+'in'+'rocket'='linrocket'
'linrocket' anagrammed gives 'INTERLOCK'.
(Other definitions for interlock that I've seen before include "Get engaged" , "Make connection with" , "Couple" , "Become engaged?" .)