Reusable upper stage rocket with aerospike engine

Systems and methods for a fully reusable upper stage for a multi-stage launch vehicle are provided. The reusable upper stage uses an aerospike engine for main propulsion and for vertical landing. A heat shield can include a plurality of scarfed nozzles embedded radially around a semi-spherical surfa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Ramsey, Roger Eugene, Wuerl, Adam, French, James R
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 19.03.2024
Subjects
AIRCRAFT
AVIATION
BLASTING
COMBUSTION ENGINES
COSMONAUTICS
HEATING
HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
LIGHTING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
TRANSPORTING
VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
WEAPONS
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Summary:Systems and methods for a fully reusable upper stage for a multi-stage launch vehicle are provided. The reusable upper stage uses an aerospike engine for main propulsion and for vertical landing. A heat shield can include a plurality of scarfed nozzles embedded radially around a semi-spherical surface of the heat shield, wherein inboard surfaces of the plurality of scarfed nozzles collectively define an aerospike contour. The heat shield can be actively cooled to dissipate heat encountered during reentry of the upper stage.
Bibliography:Application Number: US202217811408