Methods and apparatus for reusable launch platform and reusable

Aeronautics and astronautics – Retarding and restraining devices – Friction brakes

Patent

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

244158R, 244 63, 244114R, B64F 500, B64F 100

Patent

active

056671679

ABSTRACT:
A reusable single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft and a reusable launch assist platform provide a new system for space transportation. The platform has a frame with a cradle for supporting the spacecraft. Rocket engines attached to the launch assist platform propel the launch assist platform and the spacecraft substantially vertically through the atmosphere for release of the spacecraft. The launch assist platform returns to a predetermined landing site in a power-controlled, vertical descent.
The spacecraft is in the shape of a cone having a large, rounded base with a primary load-bearing structure substantially perpendicular to the base. The spacecraft reenters the atmosphere in a base-first reentry, and is slowed and guided to a landing site by using a rocket engine in the base. The spacecraft lands base first on a resilient landing device.

REFERENCES:
patent: 1637769 (1927-08-01), Ennisson
patent: 1739193 (1929-12-01), Ward
patent: 1874423 (1932-08-01), Belleville
patent: 1914573 (1933-06-01), Kookogey
patent: 2841107 (1958-07-01), Scheider
patent: 3000593 (1961-09-01), Eggers et al.
patent: 3285175 (1966-11-01), Keenan
patent: 3486718 (1969-12-01), Marchal et al.
patent: 3817479 (1974-06-01), Crowley
patent: 4265416 (1981-05-01), Jackson et al.
patent: 4678141 (1987-07-01), Sarrantonio
patent: 4709883 (1987-12-01), Giuliani et al.
patent: 4744529 (1988-05-01), Clarke
patent: 4802639 (1989-02-01), Hardy et al.
patent: 5000398 (1991-03-01), Rashey
patent: 5090642 (1992-02-01), Salkeld
patent: 5129602 (1992-07-01), Leonard
patent: 5295642 (1994-03-01), Palmer
Correspondence of P. Steinnon to W. Kistler, 1 page, dated Aug. 7, 1994.
Stiennon, "Two Stage Launch Vehicle and Launch Trajectory Method," 18 pages, Aug. 7, 1994.
Dornheim, "DC-X Proving Initial Operational Concepts," Aviation Week & Space Technology, pp. 46-49, Oct. 11, 1993.
Smiljanic et al., "Delta Clipper: Design for Supportablility," Aerospace America, pp. 24-27, Jul. 1993.
Worden et al., "Single Stage Rocket Technology: Here Today," Aerospace America, pp. 20-23, Jul. 1993.
Tinsley, "Auxiliary Fleet," Final Frontier, pp. 56-61.
Sellards, "The DC-X Makes Its First Test Hops," Countdown, pp. 10-11, Oct., 1993.
McDonnel Douglas/U.S. Army, "A New Kind of Ride," p. 32.
Cunningham, "Sabotaging SSRT's Future," Space News, vol. 4, No. 41, Oct. 18-24, 1993.
Hudson, "Phoenix: A Commercial, Reusable Single-Stage Launch Vehicle," Pacific American Launch Systems, Inc., pp. 1-13.
Bruckner et al., "Antares: A Low Cost Modular Launch Vehicle Concept," International Astronautical Federation, Aug. 28-Sep. 5, 1992, pp. 1-13.
Ruppe "Design Considerations for Future Space Launchers," Acia Astronautica, vol. 29, No. 9, pp. 705-722, 1993.
Copper et al., "Future Single-Stage Rockets: Reusable and Reliable," Aerospace America, pp. 18-21, Feb. 1994.
Bekey "Why SSTO Rockets Are Now Feasible and Practical," A White Paper, pp. 1-22, Nov. 21, 1993.
Aldrich, "NASA's Access To Space Study," pp. 1-12, Nov. 21, 1993.
Martin, "Selecting Hydrocarbon Rocket Propulsion Technology," International Astronautical Federation, pp. 1-13, Oct. 4-11, 1986.
Koelle et al., "The Single-Stage Reusable Ballistic Launcher Concept For Economic Cargo," International Astronautical Federation, Oct. 4-11, 1986.
Staehle et al., "Crew Transportation for the 1990's: Commercializing Manned Flight with Today's Propulsion," World Space Foundation 1989.
Hunter, "SSX Spaceship, Experimental," Mar. 15, 1988, updated Mar. 11, 1989.
Penn, "Advanced Booster Engine Propulsion," International Astronautical Federation, Oct. 10-17, 1987.
Hunter, "The SpaceGuild Plan," SpaceGuild, pp. i-B-5, May 30, 1991.
Gaubatz, "Space is a Place," McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, pp. 1-14.
Hoeser, "The Impact of Low Cost Space Access," Feb. 1986 Updated Oct. 1989.
Koelle, "Cost Analysis of Single-Stage (SSTO) Reusable Ballistic Launch Vehicles," International Astronautical Federation, pp. 1-7, Aug. 28-Sep. 5, 1992.
Rogers et al., "What The United States Must Do To Realize The Economic Promise of Space," pp. i-35, IEEE-USA, Dec. 17, 1993.
Hunter, "SpaceGuild Related Activities," SpaceGuild, pp. 1-6.
Beichel et al., "The Next Generation Rocket Engines," International Astronautical Federation, Oct. 8-15, 1988.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Methods and apparatus for reusable launch platform and reusable does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Methods and apparatus for reusable launch platform and reusable , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods and apparatus for reusable launch platform and reusable will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-212895

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.