Systems and methods for receiving a descending rocket

This invention describes a system for catching a rocket as it descends from space. The rocket is designed to come down at an angle, not straight down, and has an arm with hooks that extends out almost perpendicular to its body. This arm is meant to grab a cable suspended from a semi-submersible platform at sea, which then secures the rocket, rotates it horizontally, and can be elevated to transfer it to a ship. The claims specifically narrow the rocket's descent to a glide scope of -45 degrees.

Why it matters: The core engineering challenge of precisely controlling a large descending rocket for an angled capture at sea remains substantial. No specific technological shift in the last two years has uniquely enabled this particular method over other rocket recovery approaches.

Status: Not in forceListed as no longer active. The specific reason is not in the record we hold.
How hard to build: SpecializedLarge marine platform, rocket arm, control systems.

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