Method of launching a spacecraft into low earth orbit using a non-line-of-sight optical power transfer system
US10705297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N10/13
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit using a non-line-of-sight optical power transfer system. The method includes generating optical power at a base station and using an optical fiber to transmit the optical power generated to a launch vehicle via an actively cooled fiber spooler thereon. The optical power received by the launch vehicle is converted to another form of energy usable by the launch vehicle. The optical power is optically focused into a reaction chamber to impinge on a refractory target. A working fluid is regeneratively fed to a heat exchanger contained within the actively cooled fiber spooler. The working fluid is pre-heated within the heat exchanger and injected into the reaction chamber where the working fluid heats and expands. The exhaust is channeled through a rocket nozzle to produce thrust. In an alternative embodiment, the optical fiber expended during launch of a spacecraft is recovered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.