Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1984-11-19
1987-05-26
Barefoot, Galen
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
244158A, 244160, 244172, B64G 122, B64G 162
Patent
active
046679073
ABSTRACT:
Disclosed is an orbital space transfer vehicle comprises essentially a composite hollow cylindrical body structure enclosing a spherical oxygen tank suspended and spaced from the inner wall of the cylindrical body structure, a hollow toroidal hydrogen tank suspended from and spaced from said cylindrical body structure, a main thrust rocket engine, and an aerobrake located at the aft end of the vehicle. This arrangement provides a vehicle with a very short length, lowers the required aerobrake size and maximizes vehicle controllability that may otherwise occur due to non-uniform distribution of the propellants during operation of the vehicle. Thus disclosed is a vehicle which can fully benefit from space basing, easily maintained while stationed in orbit, and transportable in a fully assembled state from earth to low earth orbit. Also disclosed is a space station with which the orbital transfer vehicle may cooperate while in space.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3118636 (1964-01-01), Kantrowitz et al.
patent: 3286951 (1966-11-01), Kendall
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patent: 4318491 (1982-03-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 4475662 (1984-10-01), Mandel
patent: 4504031 (1985-03-01), Andrews
Stott et al, "The European Space Tug: A Reappraisal", 6-1980, BIS Space Transport. Symp.
Hujsak Edward J.
Siden LeRoy E.
Barefoot Galen
Duncan John R.
General Dynamics Corporation/Convair Div.
Gilliam Frank D.
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