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 configured to direct flow of electrical current from an external source to the electrical heater.