FIELD: space technology.
SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to the design and operation of reusable elements of space rockets. The payload fairing (3) (5) returnable to the Earth (PF), mounted on the second stage (2) of the rocket, is made of two flaps (halves) connected to each other by a sliding mechanism (not shown). When the engine of the first stage (1) is running, the flaps of the PF (3) are pushed apart so that the stage (2) passes freely through the PF, and the PF is fixed on the stops of the first stage. After the separation of stages (1) and (2), the flaps of the PF are shifted, and the PF is returned to the Earth together with the first stage. In another variant, the passage of the PF through stage (2) is performed after the separation of stages (1) and (2) and during the operation of the latter. After the passage of the PF, the brake motors are started on the flaps of the PF, then the flaps are shifted, and the landing of the PF is carried out using an aerostatic shell.
EFFECT: creation of a simple and reliable system for the return of PF.
12 cl, 4 dwg
