Launch vehicle and system and method for economically efficient launch thereof

摘要

The present disclosure relates to a launch system, a launch vehicle for use with the launch system, and methods of launching a payload utilizing the launch vehicle and/or the launch system. The disclosure can provide for delivery of the payload at a terrestrial location, an Earth orbital location, or an extraorbital location. The launch vehicle can comprise a payload, a propellant tank, an electrical heater wherein propellant, such as a light gas (e.g., hydrogen) is electrically heated to significantly high temperatures, and an exhaust nozzle from which the heated propellant expands to provide an exhaust velocity of, for example, 7-16 km/sec. The launch vehicle can be utilized with the launch system, which can further comprise a launch tube formed of at least one tube, which can be electrically conductive and which can be combined with at least one insulator tube. An electrical energy source, such as a battery bank and associated inductor, can be provided.

主权项

1. A launch vehicle adapted for high velocity delivery of a payload, the launch vehicle comprising:
a payload container; a propellant tank containing a propellant; an electrical heater in fluid connection with the propellant tank and adapted for electrical heating of the propellant to form an exiting exhaust; and one or more electrical conductors comprising sliding electrical contacts and configured to direct flow of electrical current from an external source to the electrical heater, and comprising arms positioned between the sliding electrical contacts and the electrical heater.