Rocket landing systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12503253-B2
Application number	US-202418947415-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2024
Priority date	Apr 27, 2015
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

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 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.

2 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of movable stabilization jaw structures are independently movable to move toward one another to enclose, control and grasp the landing rocket stage as the rocket stage is caught.

3 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of movable stabilization jaw structures are configured to allow vertical adjustment to cushion under the first and second hook shaped assemblies as the rocket stage is caught.

4 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of movable stabilization jaw structures include engagement fittings that are movable along a length of the stabilization jaw structures to enable positional and rotational translation of the rocket stage.

5 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 4 wherein the movable engagement fittings can independently engage the first and second hook shaped assemblies to rotate the rocket stage along a vertical axis thereof or move the rocket stage towards or away from the stabilization structure.

6 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of movable stabilization jaw structures are vertically adjustable to lower the rocket stage to rest on a separate system or solid surface, move below the first and second hook shaped assemblies, open away from the rocket stage and raise back up.

7 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the first and second hook shaped assemblies are located above a center of gravity of the rocket stage.

8 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the landing site is on terra firma.

9 . The rocket landing stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the landing site is on a marine vessel on a body of water.

10 . 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.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising vertically adjusting up or down, during the catch process, the stabilization jaw structures to make contact with the hook shaped assemblies.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the first stabilization jaw structure includes a first engagement fitting system that is independently movable along a length of the first stabilization jaw structure, and wherein the second stabilization jaw structure includes a second engagement fitting system that is independently movable along a length of the second stabilization jaw structure;
wherein engaging the plurality of hook shaped assemblies with the stabilization structure enables positional and rotational translation of the rocket stage; and wherein the first and second engagement fitting systems are moved after catching the rocket stage to rotate the rocket stage about a vertical axis thereof and/or to laterally move the rocket stage along the length of the stabilizing jaw structures.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising lowering the stabilizing jaw structures to set the rocket stage on a separate support system, lowering the stabilizing jaw structures below the hook shaped assemblies, and opening the stabilizing jaw structures away from the main body of the rocket stage.

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

• B64G1/625 Primary

  Landing devices; Undercarriages · CPC title

• B64G2005/005

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

• B64G5/00 Primary

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