IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,834,859
Granted Patent B2
US 7,834,859 · App. 11/599,799 · Granted Nov 16, 2010

Process for recovering a spacecraft first stage

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,834,859
App. No.
11/599,799
Granted
Nov 16, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The process comprises the steps of: 1) launching the vehicle from the launch site using the first stage booster rocket engine system; 2) separating the at least one upper stage from the first stage booster; 3) terminating operation of the first booster stage rocket engine system; 4) turning the first stage booster back toward the launch site using the aerodynamic flight control system; 5) operating the first stage booster rocket engine system to boost the first stage booster to an altitude sufficient to allow non-powered flight back to the launch side; and 6) landing the first stage booster at the launch site.

Claims (15)

1. A process for returning the first stage booster of a launch vehicle having at least one upper stage, the first stage booster, having a rocket propulsion system and aerodynamic flight control system, to the launch site, the process comprising the steps of:

launching the vehicle from the launch site using the first stage booster rocket propulsion system;

separating the at least one upper stage from the first stage booster;

terminating operation of the first booster stage rocket propulsion system;

turning the first stage booster back toward the launch site using the aerodynamic flight control system;

operating the first stage booster rocket propulsion system to boost the first stage booster to an altitude sufficient to allow non-powered flight back to the launch side; and

landing the first stage booster at the launch site.

2. A process for returning the first stage booster of a launch vehicle having at least one upper stage, the first stage booster, having a rocket propulsion system and aerodynamic flight control system, to the launch site, the process comprising the steps of:

providing the first stage booster with fuel in excess of that required to booster the at least one upper stage to its separation point from the first stage booster;

launching the vehicle from the launch site using the first stage booster rocket propulsion system;

separating the at least one upper stage from the first stage booster;

terminating operation of the first booster stage rocket propulsion system,

turning the first stage booster back toward the launch site using the aerodynamic flight control system;

operating the first stage booster rocket propulsion system using the fuel in excess of that required to boost the first stage booster to an altitude sufficient to allow non-powered flight back to the launch side; and

landing the first stage booster at the launch site.