US 12,435,684 B2
Atmospheric re-entry vehicle with skewed base heat shield
Thomas Ryan McCullough, Seattle, WA (US); and Thomas Feldman, Kent, WA (US)
Filed by STOKE Space Technologies, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/930,844.
Application 18/930,844 is a continuation of application No. 18/554,587, previously published as PCT/US2022/071686, filed on Apr. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/236,002, filed on Aug. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/174,323, filed on Apr. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2025/0052212 A1, Feb. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. F02K 9/97 (2006.01); B64G 1/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); B64G 1/58 (2006.01); B64G 1/62 (2006.01); F02K 9/88 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 9/97 (2013.01) [B64G 1/006 (2023.08); B64G 1/401 (2013.01); B64G 1/58 (2013.01); B64G 1/62 (2013.01); F02K 9/88 (2013.01); F05D 2220/80 (2013.01); F05D 2240/15 (2013.01); F05D 2250/73 (2013.01)] 36 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An atmospheric re-entry vehicle, comprising:
a main body defining a forward end of the vehicle;
a base defining an aft end of the vehicle; and
a heat shield at the base, the heat shield including a heat shield outer surface;
wherein the main body and the heat shield are configured such that a centerline of the heat shield is offset relative to a centerline of the main body; and
wherein at least a portion of the heat shield outer surface is at least substantially axisymmetric relative to the centerline of the heat shield.