Semi-submersible Offshore Launch Platform

Enhanced Jet Protection

The seawater cover over the launch platform effectively delays gas-jet impingement and reduces ablation.

Bohan, Shen · Yusen, Niu · Yi, Jiang · Xinyu, Wang · Yang, Lina

Advances in Space Research 2026

Advantages

Delayed Jet Impingement

The water layer significantly delays the impingement of the gas-jet core on the platform surface, thereby reducing ablation.

Predictive Model

A theoretical model is derived to predict the time required for an overexpanded jet to penetrate the water layer, considering added mass and momentum dissipation.

Dimensionless Correlation

Through dimensionless analysis using the Buckingham π theorem, a linear empirical correlation for the dimensionless penetration time is obtained.

Applications

• Offshore Rocket Launch：Replace traditional offshore launch platforms to improve efficiency and reduce ablation.
• Space Launch Systems：Provide a new offshore launch method for space launch systems, reducing platform maintenance costs.