Rocket landing systems
OwnerN. Eric Knudsen, Matthew Niels Knudsen +2inventors
InventorsN. Eric Knudsen, Matthew Niels Knudsen, Andrew Niels Knudsen, Jacob Niels Knudsen
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Abstract
A rocket landing stabilization system can include one or more upright support structures such as posts, columns, or walls, from which one or more stabilizing elements can be supported. The stabilizing elements can be used to stabilize a rocket as it lands at a landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can also include a cradle, funnel, or cone to catch or otherwise support a rocket as it lands at the landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can be located on land or at sea.
Claims13
A rocket landing stabilization system for recovering, stabilizing and moving a propulsively landing rocket stage, the rocket landing stabilization system comprising:
- a stabilization structure located at a landing site, wherein the stabilization structure includes a plurality of movable stabilization jaw structures;
- a first hook shaped assembly coupled to and extending laterally away from a first side of a main body of the landing rocket stage;
- and
- a second hook shaped assembly coupled to and extending laterally away from a second side of the landing rocket stage that is substantially opposite the first side, and
- wherein the first and second hook shaped assemblies are configured to be caught on the plurality of movable stabilization jaw structures, respectively, as the rocket slows to a hover to be caught.
A method of catching and recovering a descending rocket stage comprising:
- engaging a plurality of hook shaped assemblies coupled to a main body of the rocket stage with a stabilization structure located at a landing site, the hook shaped assemblies extending laterally away from the main body of the rocket stage;
- wherein the stabilization structure includes an upright support structure, a first stabilization jaw structure supported by the upright support structure, and a second stabilizing jaw structure supported by the upright support structure;
- wherein the first and second stabilizing jaw structures are movable independently of one another and configured to catch and cushion the rocket stage as the rocket stage descends and slows to approach or maintain a hover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.