Method and apparatus for launching a spacecraft by use of a reco

Details Method and apparatus for launching a spacecraft by use of a reco Method and apparatus for launching a spacecraft by use of a reco

1986-10-01

1988-05-03

Nase, Jeffrey V.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

With fuel system details

244158R, B64G 110

Patent

active

047415029

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for launching a spacecraft including a payload and a delivery stage having a rocket engine powered by fluid bipropellant from the earth into a high energy orbit and for recovering the delivery stage are disclosed. By reducing the delivery stage mass, it becomes feasible and cost effective to recover the delivery stage for reuse. Delivery stage mass is reduced by several techniques including transporting the spacecraft and the fluid bipropellant to a parking orbit with the fluid bipropellant in tanks external to the spacecraft; transferring the fluid bipropellant to light weight tanks integral to the spacecraft; controlling the relative flow rates of the fluid bipropellant constituents to the rocket engine during firing of the rocket engine to ensure complete use of both bipropellant constituents; and controlling ascent and descent maneuvers from remote tracking stations. A space shuttle can be used to transport the spacecraft and fluid bipropellant in its cargo bay to the parking orbit and recover the delivery stage at the end of a mission. The invention is particularly useful for delivery of payloads to geosynchronous orbits.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3369771 (1968-02-01), Walley et al.
patent: 4471926 (1984-09-01), Steel, III
patent: 4609169 (1986-09-01), Schweickert et al.
T. A. Heppenheimer, "Paving the Way for Space Tugs", High Technology, Sep. 1985, pp. 57-59.

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