METHOD OF DESCENT OF SPACE ROCKET BOOSTER TO TOUCHDOWN ZONE AND DEVICE FOR ITS REALIZATION Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: rocketry and space engineering. SUBSTANCE: method of descent of space rocket booster to touchdown zone includes stages of stabilization, aiming and controllable descent with the aid of aerodynamic forces. First- stage booster is separated together with panels of tail bay of the second stage at stabilization phase; when dynamic head reaches 40 kg/sq.m, first-stage booster is braked and stabilized in forward position by means of engine through symmetrical (relative to longitudinal axis of space rocket) synchronous turn of forward-arranged aerodynamic control surfaces of tail bay of second stage. During aiming phase, radio beacon is switched on in zone of booster falling and radar is switched- on aboard first stage booster; lateral mismatch and distance between design impact point and location of radio beacon are determined with the aid of digital computer; position of aerodynamic control surfaces in pitching and yawing is controlled with the aid of electrohydromechanical drives depending on the amount of mismatch. Device for descent of space rocket booster in touchdown zone has aerodynamic control surfaces and electrohydromechanical drives; aerodynamic control surfaces are all-moving and are mounted on panels of second-stage tail bay which are made integral with first-stage booster and shifted relative to lateral tanks of first stage by semi-angle of pitch; they are linked kinematically for synchronous action in pairs symmetrically relative to longitudinal axis of space rocket; electrohydromechanical drives are connected to radar for action in proportion with amount of mismatch of design impact point and position of radio beacon. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of control of booster in bringing it to impact zone; reduced loads on controls and reduced area of zone to radius not exceeding 100 calibres of rocket. 3 cl, 8 dwg