Modular solid-propellant launch vehicle and related launch facility

Abstract

A family of modular solid-propellant launch vehicles and a related launch facility for placing a wide range of payloads in earth orbit at greatly reduced costs compared to present day launch systems. The basic family of modular solid-propellant launch vehicles is constructed from only two sizes of modular solid-propellant rocket motors, a large rocket motor and a small rocket motor. The modular rocket motors are clustered and stacked in various configurations to form the family of launch vehicles. The physical and performance characteristics of the two solid-propellant rocket motors, including weight, vacuum specific impulse and action time, were tailored to maximize the payload capabilities of each member of the launch vehicle family without exceeding predetermined maximum and staging dynamic pressure limits and maximum acceleration limits. The universal launch facility utilizes a steel canister that is sized to hold the maximum diameter and length launch vehicle. The steel canister is secured in a concrete-lined launch pit and the vehicle is expelled from the canister by a piston. The piston is caught by an arrestor device upon reaching the end of the canister. An assembly platform at the top of the piston provides a platform for assembling the launch vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.