Horizontal landing
Horizontal landing
When landing horizontally, the rocket stage touches down on a runway, much like an aircraft. The wings also play a crucial role in reducing loads during re-entry without the need for rocket propulsion. There are two main recovery options for horizontally landing systems: 'in-air capturing' (shown in blue) and fly-back. In-air capturing is a DLR-patented technology developed through 2022 as part of the EU Horizon 2020 project called FALcon (Formation flight for in-Air Launcher 1st stage Capturing demonstration). This method involves a towing aircraft positioned in the planned capture area while the winged stage performs an atmospheric re-entry, transitioning into a subsonic glide. The towing aircraft, equipped with a capture device attached to a rope, positions itself in formation flight so the stage can dock with the capture device. After a successful docking, the stage is towed by the aircraft to a runway near the rocket launch site. It is then undocked in mid-air and lands autonomously, similar to a glider or the Space Shuttle. The fly-back method involves equipping the reusable stage with its own aircraft engines, which are activated during subsonic flight.
