Recovery system for the evolved expendable launch vehicle

摘要

Development and testing of a recovery system for the Low Cost Concept Validation phase of the USAF Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program is discussed. ^This system demonstrated for the first time the recovery of a liquid-fueled rocket engine, a Space Shuttle Main Engine, from altitude to an ocean touchdown with subsequent refurbishment and engine firing. ^New technology developed and discussed includes the largest three Ringsail parachute cluster of Apollo heritage, in-flight deployable spray shield, and Propulsion Module testing approaches to validate the integrated concept. ^(Author)