Abstract

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.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64G 5/00 - Ground equipment for vehicles, e.g. starting towers, fuelling arrangements
• B64F 1/02 - Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for arresting aircraft, e.g. nets or cables
• B63B 35/52 - Nets, slipways or the like, for recovering aircraft from the water
• B63B 1/10 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
• B63B 15/00 - SuperstructuresArrangements or adaptations of masts
• B63B 17/00 - Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for