초록 ▼

A non-powered pre-stage (10) with a commensurably large wing area is used to launch a variety of single-stage and multiple-stage space vehicles (20), such as conventional ballistic rockets and prospective spaceplanes, from conventional runways. This method of launch eliminates need in dedicated grou

A non-powered pre-stage (10) with a commensurably large wing area is used to launch a variety of single-stage and multiple-stage space vehicles (20), such as conventional ballistic rockets and prospective spaceplanes, from conventional runways. This method of launch eliminates need in dedicated ground launch structures and/or dedicated long runways. The vehicle to be launched (20) is mated to this non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage (NAP) (10), with their flight directions aligned, using a lock-and-release mechanism (30). The resulting stack takes off like a conventional airplane using the propulsion of the vehicle and aerodynamic lift of the NAP. After the desired trajectory of the vehicle is achieved, the vehicle is separated from the NAP and continues its ascent. The NAP returns back to the surface for reuse or disposal. Thus, a wide variety of conventional airfields can be used for launch of ballistic and aero-assisted flight vehicles.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage for launch of single-stage and multiple-stage ballistic rockets and aero-assisted vehicles, henceforth referred to as space vehicles, comprising: a. an airframe which can be attached to a space vehicle to form a stack, said airframe having an aerodynamic shap

1. A non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage for launch of single-stage and multiple-stage ballistic rockets and aero-assisted vehicles, henceforth referred to as space vehicles, comprising: a. an airframe which can be attached to a space vehicle to form a stack, said airframe having an aerodynamic shape capable of providing aerodynamic lift sufficient for take-off at airspeeds of subsonic jet airplanes, and ascent of said vehicle using propulsion of said vehicle,b. said airframe having a planform with a low enough aspect ratio, to ensure mechanical strength, sufficient to carry said space vehicle,c. said airframe having an undercarriage for supporting said stack on a runway during roll-out and take-off,d. said airframe having a flight control system for providing flight control of said stack and glide of said airframe after separation, ande. said airframe having a hold-and-release mechanism for holding said vehicle to said airframe and releasing said vehicle at a separation altitude,whereby said non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage provides a capability to launch both said ballistic rockets and aero-assisted flight vehicles from airport runways in a conventional airplane-like fashion. 2. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said airframe has a delta-wing planform. 3. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 2 wherein said airframe has a longitudinal notch to accommodate the thrust vector of said vehicle to be launched, said notch being adjacent the center of gravity of said airframe. 4. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 2 wherein said airframe has a biplane configuration to increase the total wing area and reduce take-off airspeed. 5. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said undercarriage for providing roll-out is selected from the group consisting of wheels, floats, air cushions, and skids. 6. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said airframe has upper and lower surfaces and said hold-and-release mechanism is located on one of said surfaces of said airframe. 7. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said airframe is converted from an airframe of a suitable aircraft with necessary modifications for preventing the exhaust plume of the engine of said space vehicle from damaging said pre-stage and to ensure unobstructed release of said space vehicle at the separation point. 8. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said airframe may have optional low-power propulsion means selected from the group consisting of engine-driven propellers, jet engines, and rocket engines, whereby said low-power propulsion means can be used for short-distance self-transportation, and test flights. 9. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said space vehicle is selected from the class comprising ballistic rockets and aero-assisted flight vehicles. 10. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1, further including a space vehicle attached to said airframe to form a stack. 11. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 1 wherein said airframe may have optional low-power propulsion means selected from the group consisting of engine-driven propellers, jet engines, and rocket engines, whereby said low-power propulsion means can provide short-distance self-transportation, and test flights. 12. A non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage for launch of single-stage and multiple-stage ballistic rockets and aero-assisted vehicles, henceforth referred to as space vehicles, comprising: ascent-assisting means which can be attached to a space vehicle to form a stack, said means providing aerodynamic lift sufficient for take-off and ascent of said vehicle using propulsion of said vehicle,said ascent-assisting means having an undercarriage for supporting said stack on a runway during roll-out and take-off,said ascent-assisting means having a flight control system for providing flight control of said stack and glide of said means after separation, andsaid means arranged to hold said space vehicle to said ascent-assisting means and release said ascent-assisting means at a separation altitude,whereby said ascent-assisting means provides a capability to launch said ballistic rockets and said aero-assisted flight vehicles from airport runways, with a take-off airspeed not exceeding that of subsonic jet airplanes. 13. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 12 wherein said ascent-assisting means has a delta-wing planform. 14. The ascent-assisting means of claim 13 wherein said ascent-assisting means has a longitudinal notch to accommodate the thrust vector, of said vehicle to be launched, said notch being adjacent the center of gravity of said airframe. 15. The ascent-assisting means of claim 13 wherein said ascent-assisting means have a biplane configuration to increase the total wing area and reduce take-off airspeed. 16. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 12 wherein said means arranged to provide roll-out is selected from the group consisting of wheels, floats, air cushions, and skids. 17. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 12 wherein said means arranged to hold said vehicle to said ascent-assisting means and release said ascent-assisting means at a separation altitude is located on upper or lower surface of said airframe. 18. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 12 wherein said ascent-assisting means is converted from an airframe of a suitable aircraft with modifications for preventing the exhaust plume of the engine of said space vehicle from damaging said pre-stage and to ensure unobstructed release of said space vehicle at the separation point. 19. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 12 wherein said space vehicle is selected from the class comprising ballistic rockets and aero-assisted flight vehicles. 20. The non-powered aero-assisted pre-stage of claim 12, further including a space vehicle attached to said airframe to form a stack.