Space Rocket Vertical Landing Using Movable Gantry Intermediaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current space rocket landing technologies using spreadable legs are unreliable, insecure, and inefficient, with limitations such as uncertain touchdown, damage from flames, and restrictions on rocket size and wind conditions, making them unsuitable for frequent use or tall rockets with modules.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing spreadable arms for vertical landing, where space rockets hang from movable gantries on ships or ground stations, allowing for secure, multiple-use capabilities, including the attachment of modules and return loads, with aerodynamic braking and thermal protection features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If space rockets land on spreadable legs, then landing is achieved, but reliability is poor due to uncertain touchdown and risk of falling over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable gantries as intermediary structures between the space rocket and the landing surface. The gantries provide a stable, controlled landing platform that eliminates the uncertainty of direct leg-landing. The rocket attaches to the gantry structure, which then transfers the load to the ground or water, providing reliable and controlled touchdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing system is segmented into multiple functional components: spreadable arms for attachment, movable gantries for support, damping mechanisms for shock absorption, and thermal covers for protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving overall reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If damping mechanisms are added to legs, then stability improves, but the risk of falling over increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable gantry acts as an intermediary that separates the damping mechanisms from the direct load path. The damping mechanisms are integrated into the gantry structure rather than the rocket legs, allowing them to absorb shock without directly influencing the rocket's balance. This eliminates the paradoxical effect where damping could cause the rocket to fall over.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping function is segmented and integrated into the gantry structure rather than the rocket itself. The gantry's movable components provide shock absorption while the rocket maintains its own structural integrity and balance, eliminating the conflict between stability and falling-over risk.
3Speed
If legs are spread out early, then landing speed can be controlled, but atmospheric air pushes legs upward too strongly
Solution Approach 1:
The movable gantry serves as an intermediary structure that the rocket attaches to during descent. The gantry's position and structure allow controlled interaction with atmospheric air, managing the forces acting on the landing system. This eliminates the direct conflict between controlling landing speed and resisting air pressure on the legs.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing system is segmented into the rocket, spreadable arms, movable gantries, and damping mechanisms. Each component handles specific forces: the arms provide attachment points, the gantries manage air interaction and positioning, and the damping mechanisms absorb impact forces, eliminating the conflict between speed control and air pressure resistance.
4Quantity of substance
If tall space rockets with modules are used, then payload capacity increases, but landing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable gantry system provides universal landing capability for rockets of various sizes and configurations. The gantries can accommodate different payload capacities and rocket designs through adjustable positioning and damping mechanisms, eliminating the need for specialized landing systems for each rocket type. This reduces landing complexity while maintaining high payload capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing system is segmented into modular components that can independently handle different rocket configurations. The spreadable arms, movable gantries, and damping mechanisms can be adjusted to accommodate tall rockets with modules, providing standardized landing capability that reduces complexity while supporting high payload capacities.
5Adaptability or versatility
If landings are attempted in windy conditions, then operational flexibility improves, but the risk of falling over increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable gantry acts as an intermediary structure that provides stable support independent of wind conditions. The gantry's positioning and damping mechanisms compensate for wind-induced forces, allowing landings in previously prohibited weather conditions while maintaining reliability and preventing the rocket from falling over.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing system is segmented into components that independently manage different forces: the gantries provide structural support resistant to wind, the damping mechanisms absorb dynamic forces, and the spreadable arms maintain attachment. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to windy conditions without increasing the risk of falling over.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure, reliable, and frequent vertical landing and launch of space rockets, regardless of weather conditions, with reduced fuel consumption and enhanced safety, allowing for the reuse of space rockets and their components.
Implementation Method 1
during landing, the space rocket legs can be spread out only a few seconds before touchdown, because only then the space rocket descent is at low speed. Otherwise, atmospheric air would too strongly push the legs upward.
Implementation Method 2
Landing on the legs makes it difficult to utilize some damping mechanisms in the legs because they would possibly cause the space rocket fall over as well.
Implementation Method 3
During landing on the legs, the space rocket legs are spread around plenty white-hot flames exhausting from the main engines.
Data Source
AI summary
System for multiple use of space rockets equipped with spreadable arms and sliding engines covers, and for said space rockets a vertical landing method on two movable gantries situated on a specific sea ship or on a solid ground. Said space rockets comprise steering flaps and a dividable sectional load cover. The specific sea ship comprises specific joined hulls, two horizontally movable decks and tunnels with ballasting wagons. The specific sea ship has installed a landing station for the space rockets. The landing station comprises hangers, grasping wagons and two movable ship gantries. The hangers comprise rotating wedges. The gantries comprise damping wagons. The system comprises also two movable ground gantries and a specific movable ground crane all situated on a solid ground that together create a multi-task station for the space rockets hanging up, reloading, launching, and landing. The system allows that the space rockets can liftoff from two movable gantries while vertically hang on their spreadable arms.