A method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for recovering a carrier rocket at sea, which belongs to the field of spacecraft recovery technology, including: the first stage of the rocket enters a separation program and separates from the upper stage of the rocket, and moves downward under the action of gravity; the first stage of the rocket decelerates after descending to a preset height, enters a state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water, and opens the tail end float; the first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, uses the tail end float to buffer the entry into the water and splashes into the water; the first stage of the rocket continues to enter the seawater downward, decelerates under the buoyancy of the tail end float, the first stage of the rocket dumps under the action of its own weight, and opens the front end float during the dumping process; after the dumping is completed, the first stage of the rocket is in a horizontal lying state and floats on the sea surface under the buoyancy of the front end float and the tail end float; and the first stage of the rocket is towed back to the port by a ship to complete the recovery at sea. The invention reduces the requirements for the landing accuracy of the rocket, reduces the technical difficulty and cost, improves the reliability of the rocket recovery, and has high social and economic value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of spacecraft recovery, and in particular to a method for recovering a carrier rocket at sea. Background Art

[0002] At present, the recovery technology of launch vehicles mainly includes vertical landing recovery technology and offshore platform landing recovery technology. Vertical landing recovery technology requires the rocket to have landing legs for support, while offshore platform landing recovery technology requires the provision of a landing platform during offshore recovery, and is limited by sea conditions and platform stability. These technologies have certain limitations in practical applications. For example, the landing legs of rockets are generally large in scale, which will increase the dead weight of the rocket and cause loss of the launch vehicle's carrying capacity. The plan for the rocket to land on an offshore platform requires strict requirements on the position, speed and attitude of the rocket when landing, and high control accuracy.

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a new technical solution to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present application provides a method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea, which can reduce the requirements for rocket landing accuracy, reduce technical difficulty and cost, improve the reliability of rocket recovery, and has high social and economic value.

[0005] A method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea, comprising:

[0006] After the rocket is launched, it ascends into the air, and the first stage of the rocket enters the separation program and separates from the upper stage of the rocket, and moves downward under the action of gravity;

[0007] After the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset altitude, it decelerates, enters the state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water, and opens the tail end float bag;

[0008] The first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, using the tail end buoy to cushion the entry into the water and splash into the water;

[0009] The first stage of the rocket continues to move downward into the seawater, decelerating under the buoyancy of the tail end float. The first stage of the rocket dumps under its own weight, and the front end float opens during the dumping process.

[0010] After the dumping is completed, the first stage of the rocket is in a horizontal lying state and floats on the sea surface under the buoyancy of the front and rear buoyancy bags;

[0011] Use a ship to tow the first stage of the rocket back to the port for offshore recovery.

[0012] Preferably, the rocket first stage decelerates after descending to a preset height, enters a state ready for the rocket body to enter the water, and opens the tail end float bag, which includes:

[0013] The float receives the calculation results of the rocket navigation computer and obtains the position, velocity and attitude information of the first stage of the rocket in real time;

[0014] The time when the tail end of the first stage of the rocket splashes down on the sea surface is calculated by solving the position velocity of the first stage of the rocket;

[0015] When the time for the tail end of the first stage of the rocket to splash down to the sea surface reaches a first preset time, a deceleration action is performed;

[0016] When the time for the tail end of the first stage of the rocket to splash down to the sea surface reaches the second preset time, the rocket body enters the water entry preparation state, executes the float bag deployment action, and opens the tail end float bag.

[0017] Preferably, after the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset height, it decelerates and enters a state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water, in the step of opening the tail end float bag, if the tail end float bag does not open normally;

[0018] When the first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, a seawater sensor installed outside the tail end float bag is used to detect whether the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater. As soon as the first stage of the rocket is detected to enter the seawater, a tail end float bag opening signal is given, the float bag deployment action is executed, and the tail end float bag is opened.

[0019] Preferably, the first stage of the rocket continuously moves downward into the seawater, decelerates under the buoyancy of the tail end float, and the first stage of the rocket dumps under the action of its own weight, and opening the front end float during the dumping process includes:

[0020] After the lower end of the rocket splashes down on the sea surface, it slows down under the buoyancy of the tail end float, and the first stage of the rocket tips over under its own weight;

[0021] By solving the attitude information and calculating the time when the front end of the first stage of the rocket splashes onto the sea surface according to the tipping angle and angular velocity of the first stage of the rocket;

[0022] When the calculated splashdown time of the front end of the rocket's first stage reaches the third preset time, the front end of the arrow enters the water preparation state, executes the front end float bag deployment action, and opens the front end float bag.

[0023] Preferably, when the calculated splashdown time of the front end of the first stage of the rocket reaches the third preset time, the front end of the arrow enters the water preparation state, the front end float bag deployment action is executed, and the front end float bag is opened. If the front end float bag is not opened normally, then when the front end of the first stage of the rocket is in a continuous dumping state, a seawater sensor installed outside the front end float bag is used to detect whether the front end of the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater. At the first time when it is detected that the front end of the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater, a front end float bag opening signal is given, the float bag deployment action is executed, and the front end float bag is opened.

[0024] Preferably, when decelerating after the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset height, the reverse thrust of the first stage engine of the rocket is used for dynamic deceleration or a deceleration device arranged outside the first stage of the rocket is used for pneumatic deceleration.

[0025] Preferably, there are a plurality of tail end float bags, and the plurality of tail end float bags are evenly distributed on the circumference of the first stage cross section of the rocket.

[0026] Preferably, there are a plurality of front end float bags; the plurality of front end float bags are evenly distributed on the circumference of the first stage cross section of the rocket.

[0027] Preferably, the number of the tail end float bladders is 3-4.

[0028] Preferably, the number of the front end floating bags is 3-4.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0030] 1. The present invention reduces the requirements for rocket landing accuracy, reduces technical difficulty and cost, improves the reliability of rocket recovery, and has high social and economic value.

[0031] 2. The present invention utilizes floating bladder technology to recover rockets, thereby achieving efficient and safe recovery of rockets at sea.

[0032] 3. The floating bag of the present invention is controlled by the rocket navigation computer when it is deployed, ensuring that it is opened in time before the rocket splashes into the sea, thereby ensuring the safe recovery of the rocket.

[0033] 4. The present invention utilizes a seawater sensor as a backup, ensuring that the float can be deployed promptly and effectively, thereby improving the safety of rocket recovery at sea. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall process of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first stage deceleration of the rocket of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first stage of the rocket of the present invention completing deceleration and arriving at a low altitude over the sea surface;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the opening of the tail end floating bag of the first stage of the rocket of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the tail end of the first stage of the rocket of the present invention splashing down at sea;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first stage of the rocket of the present invention beginning to dump;

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the front end floating bag of the first stage of the rocket of the present invention being opened;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the first stage of the rocket of the present invention floating on the sea and being in recovery state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the specific embodiments of the present application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0044] A method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea is to install a floating bag at the front and rear end of the first stage of the rocket, so that the rocket can splash down and be recovered at sea. At the same time, this method does not require the rocket to have landing legs for support, does not require a landing platform, and the position accuracy requirements for the rocket when splashing down are greatly reduced compared to the offshore platform recovery method. The technical difficulty and cost of rocket recovery are reduced.

[0045] like Figure 1-8 As shown, a method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea comprises the following steps:

[0046] Step S1. After the rocket is launched, it ascends into the air, and the first stage of the rocket enters the separation program and separates from the upper stage of the rocket, and moves downward under the action of gravity;

[0047] Step S2: After the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset height, it decelerates, enters a state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water, and opens the tail end float bag;

[0048] Step S3: The first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, using the tail end float to buffer the entry into the water and splash into the water;

[0049] Step S4. The first stage of the rocket continues to move downward into the seawater and decelerates under the buoyancy of the tail end buoy. The first stage of the rocket falls over under its own weight, and the front end buoy is opened during the falling process.

[0050] Step S5. After the dumping is completed, the first stage of the rocket is in a horizontal lying state and floats on the sea surface under the buoyancy of the front end buoyancy bag and the rear end buoyancy bag;

[0051] Step S6. Use a ship to tow the first stage of the rocket back to the port to complete offshore recovery.

[0052] Preferably, the rocket first stage decelerates after descending to a preset height, enters a state ready for the rocket body to enter the water, and opens the tail end float bag, which includes:

[0053] The float receives the calculation results of the rocket navigation computer and obtains the position, velocity and attitude information of the first stage of the rocket in real time;

[0054] The time when the tail end of the first stage of the rocket splashes down on the sea surface is calculated by solving the position velocity of the first stage of the rocket;

[0055] When the time for the tail end of the first stage of the rocket to splash down to the sea surface reaches a first preset time, a deceleration action is performed;

[0056] When the time for the tail end of the first stage of the rocket to splash down to the sea surface reaches the second preset time, the rocket body enters the water entry preparation state, executes the float bag deployment action, and opens the tail end float bag.

[0057] Preferably, in the step of opening the tail end float bladder, if the tail end float bladder is not opened normally;

[0058] When the first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, a seawater sensor installed outside the tail end float bag is used to detect whether the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater. As soon as the first stage of the rocket is detected to enter the seawater, a tail end float bag opening signal is given, the float bag deployment action is executed, and the tail end float bag is opened.

[0059] Humidity Sensor

[0060] Preferably, the first stage of the rocket continuously moves downward into the seawater, decelerates under the buoyancy of the tail end float, and the first stage of the rocket dumps under the action of its own weight, and opening the front end float during the dumping process includes:

[0061] After the lower end of the rocket splashes down on the sea surface, it slows down under the buoyancy of the tail end float, and the first stage of the rocket tips over under its own weight;

[0062] By solving the attitude information and calculating the time when the front end of the first stage of the rocket splashes onto the sea surface according to the tipping angle and angular velocity of the first stage of the rocket;

[0063] When the calculated splashdown time of the front end of the rocket's first stage reaches the third preset time, the front end of the arrow enters the water preparation state, executes the front end float bag deployment action, and opens the front end float bag.

[0064] Preferably, when the calculated splashdown time of the front end of the first stage of the rocket reaches the third preset time, the front end of the arrow enters the water preparation state, the front end float bag deployment action is executed, and the front end float bag is opened. If the front end float bag is not opened normally, then when the front end of the first stage of the rocket is in a continuous dumping state, a seawater sensor installed outside the front end float bag is used to detect whether the front end of the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater. At the first time when it is detected that the front end of the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater, a front end float bag opening signal is given, the float bag deployment action is executed, and the front end float bag is opened.

[0065] Preferably, when decelerating after the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset height, the reverse thrust of the first stage engine of the rocket is used for dynamic deceleration or a deceleration device arranged outside the first stage of the rocket is used for pneumatic deceleration.

[0066] Preferably, there are a plurality of tail end float bags, and the plurality of tail end float bags are evenly distributed on the circumference of the first stage cross section of the rocket.

[0067] Preferably, there are a plurality of front end float bags; the plurality of front end float bags are evenly distributed on the circumference of the first stage cross section of the rocket.

[0068] Preferably, the number of the tail end float bladders is 3-4.

[0069] Preferably, the number of the front end floating bags is 3-4.

[0070] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0071] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0072] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0073] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea, characterized in that: include: After the rocket is launched, it ascends into the air, and the first stage of the rocket enters the separation program and separates from the upper stage of the rocket, and moves downward under the action of gravity; After the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset altitude, it decelerates, enters the state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water, and opens the tail end float bag; The first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, using the tail end buoy to cushion the entry into the water and splash into the water; The first stage of the rocket continues to move downward into the seawater, decelerating under the buoyancy of the tail end float. The first stage of the rocket dumps under its own weight, and the front end float opens during the dumping process. After the dumping is completed, the first stage of the rocket is in a horizontal lying state and floats on the sea surface under the buoyancy of the front and rear buoyancy bags; Use a ship to tow the first stage of the rocket back to the port for offshore recovery.

2. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset height, it decelerates and enters a state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water, and the tail end float bag is opened, including: The float receives the calculation results of the rocket navigation computer and obtains the position, velocity and attitude information of the first stage of the rocket in real time; The time when the tail end of the first stage of the rocket splashes down on the sea surface is calculated by solving the position velocity of the first stage of the rocket; When the time for the tail end of the first stage of the rocket to splash down to the sea surface reaches a first preset time, a deceleration action is performed; When the time for the tail end of the first stage of the rocket to splash down to the sea surface reaches the second preset time, the rocket body enters the water entry preparation state, executes the float bag deployment action, and opens the tail end float bag.

3. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the first stage of the rocket descends to a preset height, the rocket decelerates and enters a state of preparation for the rocket body to enter the water. In the step of opening the tail end float bag, if the tail end float bag does not open normally; When the first stage of the rocket continues to move downward, a seawater sensor installed outside the tail end float bag is used to detect whether the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater. As soon as the first stage of the rocket is detected to enter the seawater, a tail end float bag opening signal is given, the float bag deployment action is executed, and the tail end float bag is opened.

4. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first stage of the rocket continuously moves downward into the seawater, decelerating under the buoyancy of the tail end float bag, and the first stage of the rocket dumps under the action of its own weight. The front end float bag is opened during the dumping process, including: After the lower end of the rocket splashes down on the sea surface, it slows down under the buoyancy of the tail end float, and the first stage of the rocket tips over under its own weight; By solving the attitude information and calculating the time when the front end of the first stage of the rocket splashes onto the sea surface according to the tipping angle and angular velocity of the first stage of the rocket; When the calculated splashdown time of the front end of the rocket's first stage reaches the third preset time, the front end of the arrow enters the water preparation state, executes the front end float bag deployment action, and opens the front end float bag.

5. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the calculated splashdown time of the front end of the first stage of the rocket reaches the third preset time, the front end of the arrow enters the water preparation state, the front end float bag deployment action is executed, and the front end float bag is opened. If the front end float bag is not opened normally, then when the front end of the first stage of the rocket is in a continuous dumping state, a seawater sensor installed outside the front end float bag is used to detect whether the front end of the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater. At the first time when it is detected that the front end of the first stage of the rocket enters the seawater, a front end float bag opening signal is given, the float bag deployment action is executed, and the front end float bag is opened.

6. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first stage of the rocket decelerates after descending to a preset height, the reverse thrust of the first stage engine of the rocket is used for power deceleration or a deceleration device arranged outside the first stage of the rocket is used for pneumatic deceleration.

7. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are a plurality of tail end float bags, which are evenly distributed on the circumference of the first stage cross section of the rocket.

8. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 7, characterized in that: There are a plurality of front end float bags, which are evenly distributed on the circumference of the first stage cross section of the rocket.

9. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of the tail end floating bladders is 3-4.

10. The method for recovering a launch vehicle at sea according to claim 8, characterized in that: The number of the front end floating bags is 3-4.

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