Spacecraft afterbody device
US8604402B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
11References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B10/66
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An afterbody device for a spacecraft fitted with at least one rocket engine at the rear of the craft includes at least one movable cover element designed to take a first position, masking and reducing the vehicle's rear drag, where it prolongs the vehicle's fuselage around at least one part of a rocket engine nozzle of the vehicle and extends beyond the rear of the vehicle's fuselage, and to take a second position fully deployed, increasing the vehicle's aerodynamic drag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.