Vehicle that converts heat from atmospheric reentry environment into energy for powering reaction control system, and related system and method

Abstract

An atmospheric reentry vehicle includes a heat shield, a heat exchanger, and a reaction control system. The heat shield is configured to define a windward side of the vehicle during travel in an atmospheric reentry phase of a flight trajectory. The heat exchanger is disposed relative to the heat shield and has a coolant therein. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer energy from the heat shield to the coolant to generate a heated fluid flow. The reaction control system is configured to adjust an attitude of the vehicle using at least a portion of the heated fluid flow. Also disclosed is a multi-stage rocket system that includes the vehicle, and a related method for atmospheric reentry of the vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.