An inflatable aerodynamic deceleration method and system is provided for use with an atmospheric entry payload. The inflatable aerodynamic decelerator includes an inflatable envelope and an inflatant, wherein the inflatant is configured to fill the inflatable envelope to an inflated state such that the inflatable envelope surrounds the atmospheric entry payload, causing aerodynamic forces to decelerate the atmospheric entry payload.

A satellite deorbiting device including an aerobraking surface including a satellite attitude control device with gravity gradient, the device with gravity gradient including at least one mast carrying the aerobraking surface, a first end of which is secured to the satellite and the second end of which is provided with a mass, such that the mast is oriented in a direction opposing that of the planet around which the satellite orbits.

A device to stabilize and deorbit a satellite includes a pair of coplanar masts, each one carrying at least one membrane forming an aerobraking web. The masts are fixed to the satellite along non-parallel axes. Each mast is provided on the opposite end of the satellite with a mass to generate a gravity gradient. The end of each mast is fixed to the satellite. The masts form, with the bisectrix between the masts, a fixed angle to align the bisectrix with the satellite speed vector at any altitude.

A rocket stage for a multistage space launch vehicle, wherein the rocket stage includes a main engine and is configured for stage separation from remaining parts of the space launch vehicle such that the rocket stage returns to the surface of the earth, wherein rocket stage includes an inflatable hull configured to retain lifting gas from a pressure tank, an inflation unit, a propulsion and steering unit configured to provide thrust and attitude control to the rocket stage, and a control unit configured to initiate inflation of the hull by controlling the inflation unit after the stage separation and to control the propulsion and steering unit to maneuver the rocket stage to a specified landing site on the surface of the earth.

The system and method for decelerating space objects moving at high velocities are provided. The system comprises at least one closed volume containing a combination of gas, liquid, solid particles, or a mixture thereof. The volume can be transported to the targeted location using a range of means, including a chemical gun, light gas gun, electromagnetic coil gun, superconducting quench gun, a rocket, or a combination thereof. The volume is strategically positioned on the trajectory of the moving object. Upon penetrating the walls of the volume, the object passes through it, experiencing deceleration.

Vehicles with control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing. Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces and associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for launching space vehicles into outer space are disclosed. Method include powering a thrust augmentation stage of a launch vehicle during an initial portion of a launch trajectory to provide thrust to the launch vehicle; following the initial portion of the launch trajectory, separating a first stage of the launch vehicle from the thrust augmentation stage; powering the first stage of the launch vehicle during the initial portion and during a second portion of the launch trajectory following the initial portion of the launch trajectory to provide thrust to the launch vehicle; and controlling a controlled descent of the thrust augmentation stage to Earth following separation of the thrust augmentation stage from the first stage.

A recoverable rocket and an associated recovery method are disclosed. A recoverable rocket comprises a rocket body and at least two side wings. One end of each side wing is connected to the casing of the rocket body, and the other end is connected to a deceleration mechanism; the deceleration mechanism comprises a turbine engine and a propeller. The propeller is arranged below the turbine engine. The propeller is connected to the drive shaft of the turbine engine, and the turbine engine drives the propeller to rotate in the air to generate a thrust which decelerates the rocket during recovery. The rocket body comprises a structural system, a propulsion system, a control system and a set of landing legs. The advantage of this invention is that it realizes the recovery of rockets.

Systems and methods for launching space vehicles into outer space are disclosed. Method include powering a thrust augmentation stage of a launch vehicle during an initial portion of a launch trajectory to provide thrust to the launch vehicle; following the initial portion of the launch trajectory, separating a first stage of the launch vehicle from the thrust augmentation stage; powering the first stage of the launch vehicle during the initial portion and during a second portion of the launch trajectory following the initial portion of the launch trajectory to provide thrust to the launch vehicle; and controlling a controlled descent of the thrust augmentation stage to Earth following separation of the thrust augmentation stage from the first stage.

A vehicle for supersonic or hypersonic flight comprises a thermal rocket engine (1b) with a nozzle (2) and an active cooling system (8). The active cooling system cools a heat shield (6, 7). A working fluid absorbs heat inside the active cooling system and the heated working fluid expands through the nozzle to create thrust. Such a vehicle is suitable to fly a multi-skip trajectory, a boost-glide trajectory, a trajectory with a cruise phase or a re-entry into an atmosphere, for example.