Low-altitude retro-rocket load landing system with wind drift counteraction

摘要

A low-altitude, retro-rocket, load landing apparatus for decelerating the rate of descent of a load and counteracting sideward wind drift. The apparatus includes a support assembly having a tilting mechanism for adjustably coupling a rigid support member to the load for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis offset from the center of gravity of the load, a retro-rocket rigidly coupled to the support member, a plurality of sensors for determining wind direction, wind speed and altitude of the load, and a control assembly coupled to the sensors, rocket and tilting mechanism for actuating the tilting mechanism in response to output signals from the sensors. Actuation of the tilting mechanism varies the rocket's thrust direction and counteracts sideward wind drift.