METHOD OF MULTIPLY LAUNCHING OUTSIZED PAYLOADS INTO SPACE AND RETRIEVING SAME AND APPARATUS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF

摘要

The group of inventions relates to methods and reusable means for launching outsized payloads into space and retrieving same. The outsized payload to be launched is encircled with annular or polygonal rocket stages which conform with the outline of the outsized payload. The rocket stages are interconnected by the faces thereof, and rocket engines are distributed such as to provide uniform thrust about the girth of the outsized payload to be launched and acceptable vibration and acoustic loads from the rocket engines. A fairing is configured in the form of a heat-resistant aerostatic shell, the rigidity of which is provided by the superatmospheric pressure of a light gas or heated air. The bottom part of a rocket stage is provided with a central body of similar design. This is used to save the other annular rocket stage to which it is fastened (acting like an aerostat or parachute). During braking, hot air enters the shell of the fairing or the central body via special air inlet pockets with valves. The outsized payload can be returned inside a hermetically sealed aerodynamic capsule of similar design. This reduces the modularity of large space structures.