초록 ▼

This invention is directed toward providing a transatmospheric launch system that is essentially totally reusable, provides wide flexibility in choice of orbit, and may be launched quickly on short notice. The system of the invention is a two-stage horizontal takeoff and landing system. An orbiter v

This invention is directed toward providing a transatmospheric launch system that is essentially totally reusable, provides wide flexibility in choice of orbit, and may be launched quickly on short notice. The system of the invention is a two-stage horizontal takeoff and landing system. An orbiter vehicle (50) is integrated into the underside of an aircraft (2). Aircraft (2) has a cavity (4) opening aftwardly and downwardly to receive vehicle (50). Vehicle (50) and aircraft (2) are releasably connected by struts (30, 32). Aircraft (2) and vehicle (50) proceed to staging conditions under air breathing and then rocket power. Rocket engine (22) of aircraft (2) is throttled to produce a thrust differential with rocket engine (66) of vehicle (50). This differential causes vehicle (50) to automatically pivot away from aircraft (2) on struts (30, 32). After pivoting out of cavity (4), vehicle (50) is disengaged from struts (30, 32) and proceeds on its own to orbit. Aircraft (2) makes a conventional landing. Following reentry, vehicle (50) makes an unpowered horizontal landing. Separation is accomplished at a Mach number of about 3.3. In a second embodiment, the main engine of the orbiter (50′) is a scramjet (101) instead of a rocket.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of launching a transatmospheric vehicle, comprising: providing an aircraft of the type having an air breathing engine; providing the aircraft with a rocket engine, and providing the transatmospheric vehicle with a scramjet engine; releasably connecting the aircraft and the transatmospheric

A method of launching a transatmospheric vehicle, comprising: providing an aircraft of the type having an air breathing engine; providing the aircraft with a rocket engine, and providing the transatmospheric vehicle with a scramjet engine; releasably connecting the aircraft and the transatmospheric vehicle together; operating said air breathing engine to accomplish a horizontal takeoff of the connected aircraft and vehicle; flying the connected aircraft and vehicle, including igniting said rocket engine and then accelerating to a Mach number of about 3.3 and climbing to an altitude sufficient to allow said vehicle to attain orbit and accomplish a predetermined mission; while so accelerating and climbing, igniting said scramjet engine; and upon reaching said Mach number and altitude, releasing the aircraft and said vehicle from each other and flying the aircraft and said vehicle independently of each other; including operating said scramjet engine to cause the separated transatmospheric vehicle to continue to accelerate to a velocity exceeding orbital velocity and climb to about the maximum altitude at which the scramjet engine can function, and then allowing said vehicle to coast to orbital altitude.