APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING A SPACECRAFT AND A FLUID PROPELLANT FROM THE EARTH TO A SUBSTANTIALLY LOW GRAVITY ENVIRONMENT ABOVE THE EARTH

摘要

An apparatus for transporting a spacecraft (28) and a fluid propellant from the ground to a substantially low gravity environment above the earth with a substantially reduced loading of the spacecraft due to the forces exerted on the propellant fluid during transportation. Said apparatus comprises a vehicle for transporting the spacecraft and the propellant fluid from the ground to a substantially low gravity environment above the earth; a plurality of external tanks (20, 2, 24, 26) disposed within said vehicle, external to the spacecraft, and containing the propellant fluid while the vehicle is carrying the spacecraft and the propellant fluid from the earth to the substantially low gravity environment above the earth; a plurality of reservoirs (30, 32, 34, 36) of the spacecraft disposed therein to receive and contain the propellant fluid; and means for transferring the fluid propellant tanks for spacecraft external reservoirs in substantially low gravity environment above the earth.