Space launch vehicles configured as gliders and towed to launch altitude by conventional aircraft

摘要

An orbital launch vehicle equipped with aerodynamic lifting surfaces is towed as a glider behind a conventional aircraft. The launch vehicle is used to place spacecraft into low earth orbit. The lift from the aerodynamic surfaces enables the launch vehicle 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 launch pads at geographic locations from which a full range of orbital inclinations can be reached. The method of towing the launch vehicle, utilizing the lift of its wings to fully offset its weight, permits at least an order of magnitude increase in the weight of vehicle which can be launched compared to "conventional air-launch" methods whereby the launch vehicle is carried on, or within a conventional aircraft. This in turn enables an order of magnitude increase in the weight of spacecraft which can benefit from the inherent flexibility and low cost of "air-launch." The tow launch method also requires fewer and simpler modifications to a conventional aircraft than do any other current or proposed air-launch methods.