High altitude launch platform payload launching apparatus and method
AssigneeSpread Spectrum
InventorWilliam R. Palmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high altitude launch platform, used to launch a payload into earth orbit, is part of a payload launch system having a payload launching rocket carried by the high altitude launch platform. A first amount of fuel, substantially less than the capacity of the fuel tanks, is provided to the launch platform while the launch platform is on the ground. The launch platform is flown to a first altitude and the fuel tanks are provided with a second amount of fuel while the high altitude launch platform is at the first altitude. The addition of the second amount of fuel is sufficient to allow the payload to be launched into orbit.
Claims37
A method of launching a payload into earth orbit with a payload launch system having a payload launching rocket with an engine carried by a high altitude launch platform which uses one or more engines having fuel tanks associated therewith, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first amount of fuel to the fuel tanks of the engines for the launch platform while the launch platform is on the ground, wherein said first amount is substantially less than a capacity of the fuel tanks;
- flying said launch platform to a first altitude;
- and
- providing a second amount of fuel to the fuel tanks while said high altitude launch platform is at said first altitude, wherein addition of said second amount of fuel is sufficient to allow the payload to be launched into orbit.
A method of launching a payload into earth orbit with a payload launch system having a payload launching rocket with a launching rocket engine carried by a high altitude launch platform which uses one or more launch platform engines, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first amount of propellant fuel to the launch platform while said launch platform is on the ground, wherein the total amount of fuel contained in the launching rocket and the launch platform prior to launching from the ground is less than the amount of fuel needed to launch the payload into earth orbit;
- flying said launch platform to a first altitude;
- and
- providing a second amount of propellant fuel from a source other than the payload launching rocket and the launch platform to the payload launch rocket after said launch platform has left the ground, wherein said second amount of fuel is sufficient to allow the payload to be launched into orbit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.