Reusable rocket launcher capture

FALCon – DLR

In collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), FALCon aims to verify the design of a winged reusable first-stage booster. It uses the latest drone technology to emulate the inflight capture and towing to the landing station.

Reusable rocket launcher capture

FALCon – DLR

In collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), FALCon aims to verify the design of a winged reusable first-stage booster. It uses the latest drone technology to emulate the inflight capture and towing to the landing station.

Innovative reusable launcher

This concept of a reusable launcher uses a winged first stage with gliding capabilities that can descend performing a controlled re-entry, returning the rockets to an area where it can be captured to safely land on the ground.

Two technicians inspecting and preparing a bright red unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a runway with mountains in the background.

Main elements

The winged First Stage Booster enables controlled gliding and descent; Capture System captures the shuttle inflight using a relative positioning system; Towing Platform tows the shuttle to the ground and releases it for autonomous landing.

Embention in FALCon

Embention has designed a scale model for the first-stage booster. It can fly fully autonomously above 5000m, gliding for capture at speeds up to 150km/h and performing inflight turbine restart to simulate flight stages during the recovery.

Front view of a bright red unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a runway.

Innovative reusable launcher

This concept of a reusable launcher uses a winged first stage with gliding capabilities that can descend performing a controlled re-entry, returning the rockets to an area where it can be captured to safely land on the ground.

Two technicians inspecting and preparing a bright red unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a runway with mountains in the background.

Main elements

The winged First Stage Booster enables controlled gliding and descent; Capture System captures the shuttle inflight using a relative positioning system; Towing Platform tows the shuttle to the ground and releases it for autonomous landing.

Front view of a bright red unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a runway.

Embention in FALCon

Embention has designed a scale model for the first-stage booster. It can fly fully autonomously above 5000m, gliding for capture at speeds up to 150km/h and performing inflight turbine restart to simulate flight stages during the recovery.

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