A Modular Launch System with an Expandable Mast for Spacecraft

A spacecraft launch system that uses an expandable mast to connect a nose and tail, allowing it to carry modular payloads and land horizontally after releasing them.

What it covers

The patent describes a launch vehicle consisting of a nose section and a tail section connected by a central mast. This mast can extend or retract, allowing the vehicle to change its length to accommodate different payloads or fuel modules between the nose and tail. Once the payload is released in orbit, the system retracts the mast to bring the nose and tail together, forming a compact, aerodynamic shape capable of horizontal landing. The aerodynamic surfaces are specifically designed only to support the weight of the vehicle itself during this landing phase.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover launch systems that lack an expandable mast mechanism.
• —Does not cover aerodynamic surfaces designed to support payloads during landing.
• —Does not cover non-modular, single-piece rocket designs.
• —Does not cover vertical landing systems (e.g., propulsive landing).

The clever bit

The invention uses a retractable mast to transition between a long, payload-carrying configuration and a short, aerodynamically stable configuration for reentry, effectively decoupling the launch geometry from the landing geometry.

Why it matters

This patent addresses the challenge of making space flight more efficient by creating a reusable, modular architecture. By allowing a single vehicle to carry variable payloads and then return to a compact state for landing, it aims to reduce the mass and complexity typically associated with dedicated launch vehicles.

Real-world examples

• 1.Conceptual modular space launch vehicles
• 2.Reusable orbital launch platforms