Method and system for rapidly assembling a launch vehicle

A method for vertically and rapidly assembling a solid-fuel rocket motor launch vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first-stage rocket motor positioned horizontally, wherein said receiving the first-stage motor step includes the step of receiving on a pivot at least a base portion of the first-stage rocket motor, said pivot engaged to one of a breakover stand and a base bracket assembly releasably attached to the base portion;
• rotating, about and relative to the pivot, the first-stage rocket motor to a vertical position;
• positioning the first-stage rocket motor on and above-ground launch platform;
• positioning an inter-stage section on the first-stage rocket motor;
• positioning a final-stage rocket motor on the inter-stage section;
• positioning an equipment section on the final-stage motor;
• receiving a shroud positioned horizontally;
• rotating the shroud to a vertical position;
• assembling the shroud with a payload assembly to form a shroud assembly;
• and
• positioning the shroud assembly on the equipment section.

A solid rocket motor launch vehicle assembled vertically on and above-ground launch platform according to the process of:

• receiving a first-stage rocket motor positioned horizontally on a trailer;
• pivoting, on a breakover stand having a pivot engaged with a first stage rocket motor, the first-stage rocket motor to a vertical position;
• positioning the first-stage rocket motor on the launch platform;
• receiving a shroud positioned horizontally on a trailer;
• pivoting, about a pivot on a shroud skid, the shroud to a vertical position, wherein a portion of the shroud is pivotally engageable with the pivot of the shroud skid;
• assembling the shroud with a payload assembly to form a shroud assembly;
• and
• positioning the shroud assembly on the first-stage rocket motor.

A solid rocket motor launch vehicle assembled vertically on and above ground launch platform according to the process of:

• receiving a first-stage rocket motor positioned horizontally on a trailer;
• pivoting, about a breakover stand having a pivot, the first-stage rocket motor to a vertical position, wherein a base portion of the first-stage rocket motor is pivotally engaged with the pivot of the breakover stand;
• positioning the first-stage rocket motor on the launch platform;
• positioning an inter-stage section on the first-stage rocket motor;
• positioning a final-stage rocket motor on the inter-stage section;
• positioning an equipment section on the final-stage rocket motor;
• receiving a shroud positioned horizontally on one of the first and a second trailer;
• pivoting, about a shroud skid having a pivot, the shroud to a vertical position, wherein a portion of the shroud is pivotally engageable with the pivot of the shroud skid;
• assembling the shroud with a payload assembly to form a shroud assembly;
• and
• positioning the shroud assembly on the equipment section.

A method for vertically assembling on an above-ground launch pad a solid-fuel rocket motor launch vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a horizontally oriented first-stage rocket motor, wherein a base portion of the first-stage rocket motor is pivotally engaged on a pivot, wherein the pivot is included in one of a breakover assembly and in a base bracket releasably engaged to said base portion;
• rotating about the pivot the first-stage rocket motor from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation;
• positioning the vertically oriented first-stage rocket motor on the above-ground launch platform;
• stacking a vertically oriented inter-stage section on the first-stage rocket motor;
• and
• stacking a final-stage rocket motor on the inter-stage section.