Aerodynamic braking system for recovering a space vehicle
US4896847A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24149
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aerobrake for an orbital transfer vehicle that permits recovery of the vehicle for refurbishment and reuse after a payload has been deployed in a desired geo-synchronous earth orbit by slowing the vehicle for reentry of the vehicle to a low earth orbit for return to earth by a shuttle vehicle on the like for recovery and reuse. The aerobrake includes a flexible thermal blanket that is folded inwardly against the vehicle in a predetermined stored manner and which, after the payload is deployed, is driven to an extended position by power hinges that drive a plurality of supporting panel members that cooperate with drag links to provide a lightweight strong supporting structure for the thermal blanket.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.