Rocket landing systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11738890-B2
Application number	US-202117344722-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2021
Priority date	Apr 27, 2015
Publication date	Aug 29, 2023
Grant date	Aug 29, 2023

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A rocket landing stabilization system, comprising:
a stabilization structure located at a landing site, wherein the stabilization structure includes a plurality of jaws; and
a hook coupled to a main body of a rocket, the hook extending laterally away from the main body of the rocket, and the hook configured to engage the stabilization structure as the rocket lands.

2. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of jaws are configured to grasp the rocket as the rocket lands.

3. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of jaws are configured to move toward one another to enclose and grasp the rocket as the rocket lands.

4. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the stabilization structure includes an upright support structure and a stabilizing element supported by the upright support structure, wherein the stabilizing element is configured to stabilize the rocket as the rocket lands.

5. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 4 wherein the stabilization structure includes a plurality of stabilizing elements supported by the upright support structure, wherein the plurality of stabilizing elements are configured to hold the rocket.

6. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of stabilizing elements includes a first stabilizing element and a second stabilizing element that is movable independently of the first stabilizing element.

7. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of stabilizing elements are configured to catch the rocket as the rocket lands.

8. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of stabilizing elements are configured to cradle the rocket as the rocket lands.

9. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of stabilizing elements are configured to be adjusted vertically to cushion the rocket as the rocket lands.

10. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 4 wherein the stabilizing element is made of steel and is rigid.

11. A rocket landing stabilization system, comprising:
a stabilization structure located at a landing site; and
a hook coupled to a main body of a rocket, the hook extending laterally away from the main body of the rocket, and the hook configured to engage the stabilization structure as the rocket lands;
wherein the stabilization structure includes an upright support structure and a stabilizing element supported by the upright support structure, wherein the stabilizing element is configured to stabilize the rocket as the rocket lands;
wherein the stabilizing element includes an engagement fitting that is movable along the length of the stabilizing element and that is configured to engage the hook.

12. A rocket landing stabilization system, comprising:
a stabilization structure located at a landing site, wherein the stabilization structure includes a clamp system; and
a fin coupled to a main body of a rocket, the fin extending laterally away from the main body of the rocket, and the fin configured to engage the stabilization structure as the rocket lands.

13. The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 12 wherein the stabilization structure includes an upright support structure and a plurality of stabilizing elements supported by the upright support structure, wherein the stabilizing elements are configured to stabilize and catch the rocket as the rocket lands.

14. A method of catching a rocket as the rocket lands, comprising:
engaging a hook coupled to a main body of the rocket with a stabilization structure located at a landing site, the hook extending laterally away from the main body of the rocket;
wherein the stabilization structure includes an upright support structure, a first stabilizing element supported by the upright support structure, and a second stabilizing element supported by the upright support structure;
wherein the first and second stabilizing elements are movable independently of one another and configured to catch the rocket as the rocket lands;
wherein the first stabilizing element includes a first engagement fitting that is movable along a length of the first stabilizing element and the second stabilizing element includes a second engagement fitting that is movable along a length of the second stabilizing element;
wherein the method further comprises moving the first and second stabilizing elements relative to the upright support structure, moving the first engagement fitting along the length of the first stabilizing element, moving the second engagement fitting along the length of the second stabilizing element, and using the stabilization structure to move the rocket.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising operating the rocket such that the rocket hovers at the landing site.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein stabilizing the rocket as the rocket lands includes stabilizing the rocket as it lands vertically.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising using the stabilization structure to move the rocket.

Assignees

• Knudsen N Eric
• Knudsen Matthew Niels
• Knudsen Andrew Niels
• Knudsen Jacob Niels

Inventors

• Knudsen N Eric
• Knudsen Matthew Niels
• Knudsen Andrew Niels
• Knudsen Jacob Niels

Classifications

• B64G5/00 Primary

  Ground equipment for vehicles, e.g. starting towers, fuelling arrangements (B64G3/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B64G1/625

  Landing devices; Undercarriages · CPC title

• B64G1/62 Primary

  Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devices · CPC title

• B64G2005/005

  Systems for launching spacecraft from a platform at sea · CPC title