Launch system and method

Abstract

A launch system is provided, including a composite vehicle and a carrier vehicle. The composite vehicle includes a payload vehicle, a booster vehicle and a first coupling system. The payload vehicle is configured for powered spaceflight at least in a space medium, and includes a rocket driven propulsion system. The booster vehicle is configured for powered supersonic/hypersonic aerodynamic flight, includes a ramjet propulsion system, and is configured for transporting the composite vehicle between a first altitude and a second altitude under propulsive power provided by the ramjet propulsion system. The first coupling system is configured for selectively coupling and decoupling the payload vehicle with respect to the booster vehicle. The carrier vehicle is configured at least for powered subsonic/transonic/supersonic aerodynamic flight, and for transporting the composite vehicle to at least the first altitude from a ground location. The launch system also includes a second coupling system for selectively coupling and decoupling the composite vehicle with respect to the carrier aircraft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.