Vehicles for launching space craft into orbit around the earth

摘要

A towed glider space launch vehicle (1) for deploying a spacecraft (17), the glider adapted to be towed by an aircraft and comprising: aerodynamic lifting surfaces capable of providing all of the lift required to support atmospheric flight of the vehicle for lifting the vehicle to a predetermined launch altitude while being towed by the aircraft (19) at subsonic speeds; a support (18) for carrying the spacecraft; and a propulsion system for propelling the glider from the predetermined altitude to at least an altitude from which the glider can coast beyond the sensible atmosphere. 508 כ" ג בתמוז התש" ס - July 26, 2000