High Altitude Air Launched Rocket
AssigneeIntercept Nexus, LLC
InventorKyle Snowberger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air launched rocket for placing payloads in earth orbit comprising a lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending in a spanwise direction between a first and a second wing tip. The lifting body further comprises at least one rocket engine positioned at the first wing tip oriented for propelling the lifting body in the spanwise direction. The air launched rocket is combined with a carrier aircraft which is removably attached to a suction surface of the airfoil.
Claims58
An air launched rocket, said rocket comprising:
- a lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending in a spanwise direction between a first and a second wing tip;
- at least one rocket engine positioned at said first wing tip, said at least one rocket engine oriented for propelling said lifting body in a spanwise direction.
An air launched rocket, said rocket comprising:
- a lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending in a spanwise direction between a first and a second wing tip;
- a plurality of rocket engines positioned at said first wing tip, said rocket engines oriented for propelling said lifting body in a spanwise direction.
In combination, a carrier aircraft and an air launched rocket, said air launched rocket comprising:
- a lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending in a spanwise direction between a first and a second wing tip;
- at least one rocket engine positioned at said first wing tip, said rocket engine oriented for propelling said lifting body in a spanwise direction;
- wherein
- said carrier aircraft is removably attached to a suction surface of said airfoil.
In combination, a carrier aircraft and an air launched rocket, said air launched rocket comprising:
- a lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending in a spanwise direction between a first and a second wing tip;
- a plurality of rocket engines positioned at said first wing tip, said rocket engines oriented for propelling said lifting body in a spanwise direction;
- wherein
- said carrier aircraft is removably attached to a suction surface of said airfoil.
A method of transporting a payload into earth orbit, said method comprising:
- using a carrier aircraft attached to a lifting body containing said payload to fly said lifting body to an altitude above the earth, said lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending spanwise from a first to a second wing tip;
- using said lifting body to generate lift while flying;
- detaching said lifting body from said carrier aircraft;
- propelling said lifting body in a spanwise direction into earth orbit using one or more rocket engines mounted on said first wing tip.
A method of transporting a payload contained in a lifting body from an altitude above the earth into earth orbit, said lifting body having a cross sectional shape of an airfoil extending spanwise from a first to a second wing tip, said method comprising propelling said lifting body in a spanwise direction into earth orbit using rocket engines mounted on said first wing tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.