Dual-mode airbreathing propulsion system

A system for providing a dual-mode propulsion system comprising:

• at least one tank of liquid hydrogen;
• a plurality of second tanks of liquid nitrogen;
• a combustion chamber and nozzle assembly;
• a plurality of pumps;
• a first mode of operation including:
• a collector inlet to intake air from atmosphere;
• a cooler heat exchanger and a condenser to liquefy the air;
• a separator to separate liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen from the air to define separated liquid oxygen and separated liquid nitrogen, a portion of the separated liquid oxygen is stored and a remaining portion of the separated liquid oxygen is allowed to flow into said combustion chamber;
• and
• the plurality of pumps to pressurize and pump the liquid hydrogen, the liquid nitrogen, and the regenerative coolant separated liquid nitrogen, collectively fluids, through the condenser and the heat exchanger, such that the fluids aid in liquefying the air and air aids in heating the fluids to their gaseous states, and the gaseous fluids are further allowed to flow into said combustion chamber and nozzle assembly where the fluids and said remaining portion of separated liquid oxygen are burned to create thrust;
• and
• a second mode of operating including:
• the plurality of pumps to pressurize and pump the liquid hydrogen and the stored separated liquid oxygen into said combustion chamber and nozzle assembly where the liquid hydrogen and the stored separated liquid oxygen are burned to create thrust.

In a method of performing a first and second mode of propulsion, the method comprises:

• collecting air during the first mode of propulsion and separating liquid oxygen from said air;
• burning at least gaseous hydrogen, gaseous nitrogen and a portion of said separated liquid oxygen in a combustion chamber to produce thrust, defining the first mode of propulsion;
• and
• burning at least liquid hydrogen and a portion of said separated liquid oxygen in the combustion chamber to produce thrust, defining the second mode of propulsion.