Recent Progress in Aerospace Mechanisms for Reusable Launch Vehicles: A Review

Baolin Tian; Jiaxing Liu; Xuecong Yang; Jia Guo; Haitao Yu; Hongjian Zhang; Fan Yang; Chunhui Gu; Yuhong Shi; Haibo Gao; Dong Li; Zongquan Deng

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2026.02.030

Engineering ›› :202602030 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.02.030

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Recent Progress in Aerospace Mechanisms for Reusable Launch Vehicles: A Review

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Abstract

Reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) are essential for achieving low-cost, frequent, and sustainable space access, making space travel more affordable and providing new opportunities for large-scale commercial space exploration. Aerospace mechanisms, which are regarded as fundamental technology for multifunctional launch vehicles, can provide structural support, facilitate power distributions, enable propulsion and maneuvering, and guarantee the proper deployment and operation of launch vehicle components. In this paper, the current state-of-the-art developments of key aerospace mechanisms for RLVs are reviewed, including connection-separation mechanisms, controllable recovery mechanisms, and attitude control mechanisms, along with the corresponding thermal protection techniques. Furthermore, considering the technological challenges associated with the aerospace mechanisms of RLVs, future potential trends and directions for multifunctional long-term on-orbit tasks, smart materials and actuation, extraterrestrial recovery for round-trip flights, software for aerospace mechanism design and virtual validation, and intelligent health monitoring and management are identified.

Keywords

Reusable launch vehicle / Aerospace mechanism / Recovery technique / Separation and thrust mechanisms / Landing gears

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Baolin Tian, Jiaxing Liu, Xuecong Yang, Jia Guo, Haitao Yu, Hongjian Zhang, Fan Yang, Chunhui Gu, Yuhong Shi, Haibo Gao, Dong Li, Zongquan Deng. Recent Progress in Aerospace Mechanisms for Reusable Launch Vehicles: A Review. Engineering 202602030 DOI:10.1016/j.eng.2026.02.030

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