Patent ID: 6901740

Claim:
An engine for a space launcher, said engine having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a central spike coaxial with said longitudinal axis and comprising a functional lateral surface at least approximately in the shape of a cone, the base of which is arranged on the engine side; and a plurality of individual generators arranged at the periphery of said base of the functional lateral surface and generating pressurized gaseous flows that strike said functional lateral surface, wherein: at the opposite end to said base, the pointed end of said central spike comprises a foldable inflatable structure, having a foldable but inextensible wall, that is operable to adopt alternatively: a folded position, for which said central spike is truncated at the opposite end to said base, the lateral surface of said central spike then being shorter than said functional lateral surface, and exhibiting a lateral surface smaller than the functional lateral surface; and an unfolded position for which the lateral surface of said central spike corresponds to said functional lateral surface, wherein: said foldable structure forms said pointed end of said central spike.