Spaceflight recovery ship

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of spacecraft recovery, in particular to a spaceflight recovery ship. Like a tugboat which can assist passing ships in berthing in shore, the spaceflight recovery ship can provide assistance, help and guidance for returning of multiple spaceflight equipment such as rockets to be recovered or sub-levels and subspace aircrafts of the rockets to be recovered, so that the rockets to be recovered can correctly land on a specified recovery site. The spaceflight recovery ship comprises a body, and the body is provided with a power system for providing power for flight of the body, an energy system for providing energy for the power system, a flight control system for controlling the flight attitude and route of the body, and a docking device for connecting a spacecraft to be recovered. The machine body is connected with the to-be-recycled spacecraft through the butt joint device so as to assist or support recycling of the to-be-recycled spacecraft. And a landing docking mechanism can also be selectively added, so that the spaceflight recovery ship and the spacecraft to be recovered can land on the recovery platform together.

Description

Technical field:

[0001] The present application relates to the field of spacecraft recovery technology, and in particular to a spacecraft recovery ship. Background technology:

[0002] The aerospace field is booming today, especially the field of reusable rockets. The current mainstream recovery methods include the outrigger recovery mode, the rope recovery mode, the "chopstick clamp" recovery mode, etc. However, the recovery of these spacecraft currently has the following disadvantages: long R&D cycle, high R&D cost, certain risks; it is only applicable to a type of configuration it targets and is difficult to promote on a large scale. Summary of the invention:

[0003] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present invention aims to provide a technical solution that can solve the above-mentioned problems. The technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0004] Space recovery ship, including:

[0005] The fuselage is provided with a power system, an energy system, a flight control system and a docking device.

[0006] The airframe, i.e. the structural system of the space recovery ship, is the base of the space recovery ship, and is used to combine the various systems and devices mentioned above into a complete whole. The space recovery ship should have a good aerodynamic shape to ensure flight performance; the weight should be reduced and the structure should be simplified as much as possible while meeting the strength, rigidity, use requirements and reliability; there should also be enough space to install instruments and equipment, and provide suitable working environment conditions, such as pressure, temperature and vibration resistance. (In a broad sense, the airframe in this article refers to the space recovery ship itself).

[0007] Energy system, which provides energy for the power system, such as aviation kerosene and its storage tanks, aerospace kerosene and its storage tanks, liquid oxygen and its storage tanks, oil pipelines, etc. The corresponding energy system is matched according to the specific power system.

[0008] The flight control system, i.e., the flight control system, mainly includes: sensors, onboard computers, and servo actuators. Sensors such as inertial measurement units and positioning systems can obtain information such as the attitude and position of the space recovery ship; the onboard computer is responsible for the calculation and processing of functions such as attitude stability and navigation guidance; the servo actuators, as actuators, control the flying wings, grid wings, power systems, etc. of the space recovery ship according to computer instructions to achieve flight control. It is used to control the flight attitude and route of the aircraft body; it is also used to control the flight attitude and route of the space recovery ship when and after the aircraft body is connected to the spacecraft to be recovered. It is responsible for controlling the output size and output direction of the power system according to data and programs. It is responsible for adjusting the operation of devices such as flying wings and grid wings on the aircraft body that affect the flight attitude. (The spacecraft to be recovered in this article refers to the aerospace equipment, components, and parts that can be used for recovery launched through the space launch site).

[0009] The docking device is used to connect the docking device of the spacecraft to be recovered. The body is rigidly connected to the spacecraft to be recovered by the docking device. Through the firm connection between the two, the space recovery ship can assist or support the recovery operation of the spacecraft to be recovered. During docking, the docking monitoring and guidance equipment is used to evaluate the docking timing and calculate the optimal docking trajectory to carry out docking. Manual docking can also be performed through a remote control handle. The docking monitoring and guidance equipment for automatic docking includes at least: a monitor (such as a camera) and a computer.

[0010] The power system is a power system that provides power for its flight; it is preferably arranged around or above the fuselage. At the same time, in order to avoid the engine burning the spacecraft to be recovered, the engine nozzle can be arranged at a certain distance and angle from the fuselage.

[0011] Further preferably, a hollow structure or a concave structure for receiving the spacecraft to be recovered is provided in the middle of the fuselage. These two structures can better cooperate with the docking device to be more firmly connected to the spacecraft to be recovered. The concave structure can be designed as a bowl-shaped concave structure to hold the spacecraft to be recovered upside down.

[0012] Furthermore, the power system is a liquid rocket engine or an aero engine or a hybrid configuration of the two, and the selected liquid rocket engine should be a reusable liquid rocket engine. The liquid engine should have the ability to adjust the thrust.

[0013] Furthermore, the docking device is a device used to be fixedly connected to the spacecraft to be recovered in the air. It can be one or a combination of a manipulator or a suction cup or a magnetic suction or a gripper collision lock or a heterogeneous isomorphic peripheral structure or a clamping mechanism. The design of the docking device can refer to the design of the spacecraft docking device. Since the docking device does not need to consider airtightness, set up channels, and the relative speed of the two docking objects during docking is small, the design of the docking device will be simplified accordingly. The docking device can be designed as a unified docking port, which is used to adapt to various sizes and models of spacecraft to be recovered. Since the docking device can be designed to be larger, a docking method similar to "protruding head sliding in-docking locking" can also be adopted. Of course, other effective methods can also be used.

[0014] The body can be configured to be horizontally rotatable and adjustable (such as by adding a rotatable annular mechanism) for further alignment with the spacecraft to be recovered during docking, and for auxiliary attitude adjustment after being connected and fixed to the spacecraft to be recovered.

[0015] Furthermore, a buffer device is provided at the lower end of the body. When the space recovery ship is connected with the spacecraft to be recovered, the buffer device plays a role of buffering energy absorption and shock absorption (such as a rubber cushion) to guide the two to dock more stably and accurately.

[0016] Furthermore, the fuselage is provided with grid wings to assist the aircraft in adjusting and stabilizing its attitude. The fuselage may also be provided with compressed gas cylinders, flying wings (similar to the tail of a rocket), etc. to assist the aircraft in adjusting and stabilizing its attitude.

[0017] Furthermore, the body is provided with a communication system, which provides communication with the spacecraft to be recovered and the recovery control center to transmit information. The communication system is mainly used to transmit the attitude, position, speed and other information of the spacecraft to be recovered and the space recovery ship; the equipment status information of the spacecraft to be recovered and the space recovery ship; and the information of the recovery control center.

[0018] Furthermore, the fuselage may be provided with a landing docking mechanism connected to the recovery platform, which is used for landing on the recovery platform after connecting with the spacecraft to be recovered. Such as: large hydraulic or spring landing connection arms, landing connection hooks, landing legs, etc. It can be directly connected to the recovery platform. The design principle of the landing connection arm and the landing connection hook is the same as the two landing hooks on the Starship booster designed by SpaceX, except that the landing connection arm is pressed on the recovery arm of the recovery platform, and the landing connection hook is hung on the recovery platform. The landing connection hook can be used to land on the recovery platform that is recovered using ropes. The landing legs are similar to the landing legs on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

[0019] At this time, since the landing docking mechanism is set on the space recovery ship instead of the spacecraft to be recovered, the landing docking mechanism can be made larger, further enhancing the accuracy of recovery. When the landing docking mechanism is a landing leg, it is more suitable for landing and recovery of small recoverable spacecraft such as small spacecraft. The landing docking mechanism can be designed to be retractable, so that it can be stored inside the body when not in use.

[0020] The fuselage may also be provided with a device for the space recovery ship to land itself, such as a skid-type landing gear, a wheeled landing gear, etc. The landing docking mechanism connected to the recovery platform may also be used to land itself.

[0021] The space recovery ship can be equipped with searchlights, laser ranging radars, night vision cameras, etc. to assist docking and landing at night. The spacecraft to be recovered can be equipped with docking marks to assist aiming during the docking process.

[0022] It should be noted that although this ship is designed as an unmanned space recovery ship for safety reasons, it is allowed to be used by humans under special circumstances.

[0023] In order to ensure safety, the space recovery ship can be designed with a self-destruction program to move away from the recovery platform and self-destruct in an emergency.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0025] 1. This space recovery ship can occupy less resources such as launch sites and test rockets during design and testing; 2. It can improve the accuracy of the spacecraft to be recovered landing on the recovery platform; 3. It can flexibly adapt to recoverable spacecraft of various sizes and models; 4. It provides an emergency rescue method for returning spacecraft, etc.

[0026] The disadvantages of the present invention are as follows: 1. It is difficult to dock with the spacecraft to be recovered; 2. The engine of the space recovery ship may burn and damage the spacecraft to be recovered, and the spacecraft to be recovered needs to be optimized accordingly. 3. The spacecraft to be recovered needs to be designed to dock appropriately with the docking device of the space recovery ship, etc. Description of the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of the present invention (excluding the landing docking mechanism (6)).

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (excluding the landing docking mechanism (6)).

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention (excluding the landing docking mechanism (6)).

[0030] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the connection between the space recovery ship and the spacecraft to be recovered.

[0032] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the space recovery ship and the spacecraft to be recovered landing on the recovery platform.

[0033] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the connection between the space recovery ship and the spacecraft to be recovered.

[0035] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the space recovery ship and the spacecraft to be recovered landing on the recovery platform.

[0036] In the figure:

[0037] 1. Fuselage, 2. Docking device, 3. Liquid rocket engine, 4. Buffer device, 5. Grid wing, 6. Landing docking mechanism, 7. Spacecraft to be recovered, 8. Recovery platform, 9. Aircraft engine, 10. Flying wing. Specific implementation method:

[0038] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention will now be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following examples so that the public can better understand the implementation method of the present invention. The specific implementation scheme of the present invention is as follows:

[0039] The space recovery ship is characterized in that it includes an airframe 1, which is provided with a power system for providing power for its flight, an energy system for providing energy for the power system, such as batteries, liquid fuel, etc., a flight control system for controlling the flight attitude and route of the airframe 1, and a docking device 2 for connecting to the spacecraft 7 to be recovered. The airframe 1 is connected to the spacecraft 7 to be recovered by using the docking device 2 to assist or support the recovery of the spacecraft 7 to be recovered.

[0040] Just as tugboats on the water can assist large ships to return to the port and dock, this space recovery ship can provide assistance, help and guidance for the return of many aerospace equipment and components such as rockets or their sub-stages, sub-space vehicles, etc. to be recovered, so that they can land correctly at the designated recovery location, such as landing on the recovery platform 8.

[0041] Specifically, a hollow structure or a concave structure ( Figure 1 , Figure 3 The middle is a hollow structure. Figure 4 The middle is a concave structure); Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The power system is arranged around the body 1 ( Figure 7 The aircraft engine 9 is arranged above the body 1 and uses jets arranged around the body 1 to eject air. In order to avoid the liquid rocket engine 3 burning the recoverable spacecraft 7, Figure 1 The engine nozzle has a certain angle with the vertical plane of the body 1.

[0042] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the docking device 2 is a clamp mechanism, which achieves the purpose of connection and fixation by tightening the inward contraction of the spacecraft 7 to be recovered. In other embodiments, it can also be a manipulator or a suction cup or a magnetic suction or a gripper collision lock or a heterogeneous isomorphic peripheral structure (such as Figure 7 The docking device 2 is a structural design similar to "convex head sliding in-docking and locking").

[0043] A buffer device 4 is provided at the lower end of the body 1 so that the body 1 and the spacecraft 7 to be recovered are softly connected before the docking device 2 is fixed, thereby avoiding damage to the spacecraft 7 to be recovered.

[0044] The outer periphery of the body 1 is provided with grid wings 5 ​​or flying wings 10 to adjust the flight attitude and stability.

[0045] The body 1 is provided with a communication system, which provides communication with the spacecraft to be recovered 7 and the recovery control center.

[0046] The space recovery ship can approach and connect with the spacecraft 7 to be recovered from above, below, side, or other qualified positions of the spacecraft 7 according to specific circumstances. When the spacecraft 7 to be recovered fails, the space recovery ship can effectively guide and change the landing area of ​​the spacecraft 7 to be recovered.

[0047] It should be noted that for large aerospace equipment, multiple small aerospace recovery ships can be used to coordinate recovery.

[0048] After the space recovery ship is adapted accordingly, it can also be adapted to the landing recovery of the spacecraft 7 to be recovered on an alien planet.

[0049] Now let's describe the recovery of the first stage of the rocket with the assistance of a space recovery ship. The following is an example of a recovery scenario:

[0050] 1. The rocket is launched into space and the space recovery ship is on standby.

[0051] 2. The rocket is successfully launched, and the first stage of the rocket is ready to land for recovery. At the same time, the space recovery ship takes off (in order to save fuel for the space recovery ship, the space recovery ship can also be dropped from the air by an aircraft or sent to the predetermined airspace by a disposable solid rocket, etc.).

[0052] 3. The first stage of the rocket freely falls into the air at a certain distance from the ground. At this time, the space recovery ship is cruising and on standby near the first stage of the rocket.

[0053] 4. The first stage of the rocket begins to restart the rocket engine to reduce the descent speed. At this time, the space recovery ship is above the first stage of the rocket.

[0054] 5. The space recovery ship and the first stage of the rocket are both descending, and the space recovery ship is gradually approaching the top of the first stage of the rocket.

[0055] 6. The space recovery ship and the first stage of the rocket begin to connect in the air and are fixed by the docking device 2.

[0056] 7. The rocket engine of the first stage of the rocket provides the main power, the power system of the space recovery ship provides the auxiliary power (or the space recovery ship provides the main power), and the landing docking mechanism 6 is used in conjunction to make the whole connected by the two gradually land on the recovery platform 8.

[0057] 8. The space recovery ship separates from the first stage of the rocket, waiting for the next recovery mission.

[0058] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "lower left", "upper right", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Although the present invention has been described according to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, with the benefit of the above description, should understand that other embodiments can be conceived within the scope of the invention described thereby.

Claims

1. A space recovery ship, characterized in that: include: An airframe (1), the airframe (1) being provided with a power system for providing power for its flight; Energy system, which provides energy for the power system; A flight control system, used to control the flight attitude and route of the aircraft (1); The docking device (2) is used to connect the spacecraft to be recovered in the air. The body (1) is rigidly connected to the spacecraft to be recovered by using the docking device (2). Through the firm connection between the two, the space recovery ship can assist or support the recovery operation of the spacecraft to be recovered.

2. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The machine body (1) is provided with a landing docking mechanism (6) for connecting with a recovery platform (8).

3. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle part of the body (1) is provided with a hollow structure or a concave structure for receiving the spacecraft to be recovered.

4. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power system is at least a liquid rocket engine (3) or an aeroengine (9) or a hybrid configuration of the two; wherein the liquid rocket engine (3) is a reusable liquid rocket engine with a throttling function.

5. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: A communication system is arranged on the body (1), and the communication system provides communication with the spacecraft to be recovered and the recovery control center.

6. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flight control system includes at least: sensors, onboard computers, and servo actuators.

7. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the body (1) is provided with grid wings (5) or flying wings (10) or a mixed configuration of the two.

8. The docking device (2) according to claim 1 can be one or a combination of a manipulator, a suction cup, a magnetic suction, a gripper collision lock, a heterogeneous isomorphic peripheral structure, or a clamp mechanism.

9. The space recovery ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer device (4) is fixedly arranged at the lower end of the machine body (1).

10. The landing docking mechanism (6) according to claim 2, characterized in that: It is one of the landing connecting jib, landing connecting hook and landing leg.

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