AN AEROSPACE VEHICLE HAVING MULTIPLE PROPULSION SYSTEMS ON A RELATIVELY ROTATABLE FLYING WING

摘要

An aerospace vehicle having multiple propulsion systems on a relatively rotatable flying wing capable of takeoff and subsequent landing with intermediate space flight in the manner of a conventional aircraft and rocket, respectively, comprising an elongated wing member having internal passenger and crew, cargo and fuel storage compartments. A plurality of propulsion systems are distributed about the wing member for providing thrust and aerodynamic control. The vehicle also includes rotating means for controlling the direction of the thrust of the propulsion systems relative to the longitudinal axis of the wing whereby to rotate the wing member relative to the direction of flight. The vehicle takes off and lands with the longitudinal wing axis being transverse to the direction of thrust and therefore to the flight direction in a manner similar to that of conventional aircraft. In flight as the vehicle approaches space, the rotating means rotates the longitudinal wing axis into alignment with the direction of thrust of the plurality of propulsion systems and therefore to the direction of flight for suborbital, orbital and space flight in the manner similar to that of conventional rockets.