Space launch vehicles configured as gliders
Space launch vehicles configured as gliders
Keywords Aerospace,Kelly Space, Launching, Patents
In world patent 96/15941 Kelly Space and Technology, Inc. describes orbital launch vehicles. They have aerodynamic lifting surfaces enabling them to be towed as gliders behind conventional aircraft. The method of towing these launch vehicles uses a flexible cable to connect them with a conventional aircraft, for placing spacecraft into low earth orbit at greatly-reduced cost, compared with current orbital launch systems.
The lift from the aerodynamic surfaces enables the launch vehicles to be towed by means of a flexible cable from a conventional runway using existing aircraft. As with"conventional air-launch", this permits spacecraft launch into orbit to originate from any conventional runway consistent with constraints of public safety, thus eliminating the need to build dedicated launchpads at geographic locations from which a full range of orbital inclinations can be reached.
