Systems and methods for a fully reusable upper stage for a multi-stage launch vehicle are provided. The reusable upper stage uses an aerospike engine for main propulsion and for vertical landing. A heat shield can include a plurality of scarfed nozzles embedded radially around a semi-spherical surface of the heat shield, wherein inboard surfaces of the plurality of scarfed nozzles collectively define an aerospike contour. The heat shield can be actively cooled to dissipate heat encountered during reentry of the upper stage.


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    Title :

    Reusable upper stage rocket with aerospike engine


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2024-03-19


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    F02K JET-PROPULSION PLANTS , Strahltriebwerke / B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS



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