A generally vertical rocket (2) flies generally horizontally into recovery line, cable or chain (3) suspended between towers (5, 7) of a catamaran landing ship (9). High speed winches (11, 13), preferably located near or at the tops of the towers (5, 7) can rapidly reel in or out the recovery line (3) to effectively raise or lower the recovery line (3). The fixture engages a capture device on the rocket located usually above the rocket center of gravity. This invention provides a more reliable means of landing a rocket and also eliminates rocket weight, cost and complexity associated with previous means of landing a rocket.

A rocket landing stabilization system can include one or more upright support structures such as posts, columns, or walls, from which one or more stabilizing elements can be supported. The stabilizing elements can be used to stabilize a rocket as it lands at a landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can also include a cradle, funnel, or cone to catch or otherwise support a rocket as it lands at the landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can be located on land or at sea.

An offshore floating rocket launch platform (12) is disclosed. The platform (12) floats on the surface of a body of water (14). A rocket (16) and a rocket launch support tower (18) are shown on the top surface (19) of the platform (12) in preparation for launch. The platform (12) includes a statically buoyant chamber 20) and more than one variable buoyancy-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22). A number of variable buoying-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22) are capable of being pressurized with a fluid to provide counter-acting forces that compensate for position changes of the platform incurred by natural forces. Other embodiment of the invention may be used for floating offshore structures like buildings (26), bridges (46) and wind turbines (50).

An offshore floating rocket launch platform (12) is disclosed. The platform (12) floats on the surface of a body of water (14). A rocket (16) and a rocket launch support tower (18) are shown on the top surface (19) of the platform (12) in preparation for launch. The platform (12) includes a statically buoyant chamber 20) and more than one variable buoyancy-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22). A number of variable buoying-generating variable buoyancy-generating chambers (22) are capable of being pressurized with a fluid to provide counter-acting forces that compensate for position changes of the platform incurred by natural forces. Other embodiment of the invention may be used for floating offshore structures like buildings (26), bridges (46) and wind turbines (50).

A rocket landing stabilization system can include one or more upright support structures such as posts, columns, or walls, from which one or more stabilizing elements can be supported. The stabilizing elements can be used to stabilize a rocket as it lands at a landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can also include a cradle, funnel, or cone to catch or otherwise support a rocket as it lands at the landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can be located on land or at sea.

Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a fastening mechanism carried by a landing support element of a portion of a launch vehicle, the mechanism configured to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface when the launch vehicle portion is on the landing surface. The fastening mechanism can include a barrel structure for propelling a stud and an interference portion positioned to receive the stud upon activation of an energetic material that propels the stud. The stud can bind in the interference portion and in the landing surface to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface. A representative method includes automatically fastening a portion of a launch vehicle to a landing surface using a stud carried by the portion of the launch vehicle.

Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a fastening mechanism carried by a landing support element of a portion of a launch vehicle, the mechanism configured to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface when the launch vehicle portion is on the landing surface. The fastening mechanism can include a barrel structure for propelling a stud and an interference portion positioned to receive the stud upon activation of an energetic material that propels the stud. The stud can bind in the interference portion and in the landing surface to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface. A representative method includes automatically fastening a portion of a launch vehicle to a landing surface using a stud carried by the portion of the launch vehicle.

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.

Method and apparatus to efficiently launch spacecraft from underwater. Unfortunately, the prior art processes of launching spacecraft from sea either make no use of water buoyancy or waste use rocket fuel to overcome water resistance. As a result, payloads are smaller than are ideal. The instant invention however adds water buoyancy to increase the overall thrust of the spacecraft and therefore makes the spacecraft more efficient than if launched outside of water.

An offshore rocket transport and launch method includes S1: assembling a rocket horizontally; S2: loading the assembled rocket as a whole into a transport cage; S3: transporting, by a transport vehicle, the transport cage loaded with the rocket to a wharf by land horizontal transport; S4: transferring the transport cage loaded with the rocket to a transport ship, and transporting the transport cage loaded with the rocket to an offshore rocket launch pad by sea transport; S5: hoisting, by a hoisting device, the transport cage loaded with the rocket to the rocket launch pad; S6: opening the transport cage, transferring the rocket to a launching position, and hoisting the transport cage away from the rocket launch pad; and S7: launching the rocket. The method effectively facilitates the offshore rocket transport and launch process, and prevents the rocket from being affected by the external environment during the launch process.