A FLOATING PLATFORM FOR LAUNCHING A SPACE ROCKET FROM A HEIGHT AND METHOD FOR LAUNCHING A RIGID -WALLED BALLOON INTO THE SPACE

摘要

The subject of the present invention relates to a floating platform (10) for launching a space rocket (100) from high altitude comprising a support structure (20) for suspending the space rocket (100) and which support structure (20) can be releasably connected to the space rocket (100), one or more hydrogen or helium filled balloons (30) fixed to the support structure (20), one or more rigid-walled tanks (12) and a compressor module (40) connected to the one or more balloons (30) and rigid-walled tanks (12) for delivering at least a portion of the hydrogen or helium stored in the balloons (30) into the one or more rigid-walled tanks (12), said one or more balloons (30) are dimensioned to lift the floating platform (10) and the space rocket (100) connected thereto, characterized in that the floating platform (10) comprises a hydrogen or helium-filled, preferably cigar-shaped rigid-walled balloon (35) which is releasably connected to the support structure (20) and secured to the top of the space rocket (100) and which is suitable for connecting the space rocket (100) to the support structure (20). The invention further relates to a method for launching a rigid-walled balloon (35) into space.