A Comprehensive Landing Gear Solution for Reentry Vehicles: Stability, Configuration, and System Realization for space applications.
- Paper ID
93853
- author
- company
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram
- country
India
- year
2025
- abstract
With the growing interest in reusable reentry vehicles for space exploration and defence applications, the need for advanced landing gear systems capable of handling high reentry velocities and thermal stresses has become paramount. Globally, reentry vehicles are paving the way for a new era of aerospace design, while in India, similar missions by ISRO and private sector initiatives reflect a burgeoning market for landing gear solutions designed for reentry applications. This paper addresses the urgent requirement for deployable landing gear tailored for 4-ton-class reentry vehicles, specifically focusing on configurations that ensure stability, durability, and regulatory compliance. We present the configuration design, analysis, and system realization of a retractable landing gear system, optimized for a 4-ton-class vehicle under the extreme conditions of orbital reentry. Compliant with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 23 stability and performance criteria such as tip back angle stability, tail down angle, , turn over angle stability, this landing gear design is intended for vehicles operating in autonomous reentry and landing modes. The system leverages corrosion-resistant alloys and lightweight material, with a tri-cycle landing gear layout chosen for optimal stability and load distribution. This layout, coupled with an innovative shock-absorption mechanism, is carefully engineered to meet both static and dynamic stability requirements critical for safe and reliable high speed landing (~100m/s). The design process involves a rigorous analysis of thermal, structural, and kinematic requirements. Finite element analysis (FEA) and thermal resistance testing validate the robustness of materials and structure under high sink velocity landing( 4m/s). In addition to materials selection, we discuss actuator and deployment mechanism choices that support a smooth retraction and fail-safe operation, vital for ensuring mission success. A detailed review of prototyping and preliminary tests showcases the performance of the system, offering insight into its potential applications in India’s emerging space sector and beyond. This research contributes to the international knowledge base in reentry vehicle technology, providing a deployable landing gear solution that is compliant with aerospace regulations, scalable, and ready for the demands of modern reentry systems. Our findings highlight the robust design for advanced landing gear designs in India and globally, underscoring the importance of reliable, reusable solutions in supporting the next generation of space exploration and defence technology.