Stratospheric-airship-assisted orbital payload launching system
US9302788B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2014 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G5/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a stratospheric-airship-assisted orbital payload launching system that features with high reusability ratio, low cost, short launch-preparation time and robust reliability. The system consists of an airship-based stratospheric launch platform (1), a stratospheric-launched suborbital shuttle (2, SLSS) and an upper stage (3, a modified version of conventional upper stage or a spaceplane). The airship-based stratospheric launch platform (1) employs hydrogen and helium to provide buoyancy in its ascent and high-altitude cruise stages. Given the substantially lower ambient pressure, the usage of hydrogen at high altitude is much safer than on the ground. The SLSS (2) is mounted beneath the platform (1), and an assembly of payload (4) and upper stage (3) is loaded in the cargo bay (2B) of SLSS (2). In a typical orbital payload launching mission, the airship-based stratospheric launch platform (1) ascends to a predetermined altitude in stratosphere, where the air density is much lower than the sea level and wind is relatively slow and steady comparing with the upper troposhere, and then launches the SLSS (2) in a predetermined position and time. After the SLSS (2)…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.