Methods of launching a vehicle using impulsive force are disclosed. In one instance, a vehicle is launched easterly with impulsive force in a plane corresponding to the vehicle's elliptical orbital path. In another instance, a method of closing a timing difference is disclosed. The vehicle undergoes a series of forces after impulsive launch. The first force establishes an orbit having a period significantly different from the orbital period of a satellite or desired vehicle location, closing the difference in an integer number of orbits. The second force establishes the vehicle in circular orbit with the satellite or desired vehicle location. In another instance, the vehicle launched impulsively from a first celestial body travels a first path, and the vehicle experiences a second force along a hyperbolic path about the second celestial body and enters circular orbit about the second celestial body.
Methods of launching a vehicle using impulsive force are disclosed. In one instance, a vehicle is launched easterly with impulsive force in a plane corresponding to the vehicle's elliptical orbital path. In another instance, a method of closing a timing difference is disclosed. The vehicle undergoes a series of forces after impulsive launch. The first force establishes an orbit having a period significantly different from the orbital period of a satellite or desired vehicle location, closing the difference in an integer number of orbits. The second force establishes the vehicle in circular orbit with the satellite or desired vehicle location. In another instance, the vehicle launched impulsively from a first celestial body travels a first path, and the vehicle experiences a second force along a hyperbolic path about the second celestial body and enters circular orbit about the second celestial body.
Methods of launching a vehicle using impulsive force are disclosed. In one instance, a vehicle is launched easterly with impulsive force in a plane corresponding to the vehicle's elliptical orbital path. In another instance, a method of closing a timing difference is disclosed. The vehicle undergoes a series of forces after impulsive launch. The first force establishes an orbit having a period significantly different from the orbital period of a satellite or desired vehicle location, closing the difference in an integer number of orbits. The second force establishes the vehicle in circular orbit with the satellite or desired vehicle location. In another instance, the vehicle launched impulsively from a first celestial body travels a first path, and the vehicle experiences a second force along a hyperbolic path about the second celestial body and enters circular orbit about the second celestial body.
A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.
F41F 3/04 - Rocket or torpedo launchers for rockets
F41A 1/02 - Hypervelocity missile propulsion using successive means for increasing the propulsive force, e.g. using successively initiated propellant charges arranged along the barrel length; Multistage missile propulsion
F41B 11/68 - Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns characterised by the supply of compressed gas the gas being pre-compressed before firing
F41F 1/00 - Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons; Harpoon guns
F42B 15/01 - Arrangements thereon for guidance or control
A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.
F41F 3/04 - Rocket or torpedo launchers for rockets
F41F 1/00 - Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons; Harpoon guns
F41B 11/723 - Valves; Arrangement of valves for controlling gas pressure for firing the projectile only
F41A 1/02 - Hypervelocity missile propulsion using successive means for increasing the propulsive force, e.g. using successively initiated propellant charges arranged along the barrel length; Multistage missile propulsion
F41B 11/60 - Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns characterised by the supply of compressed gas
A vehicle for launching from a gun such as a gas gun and having a housing; preferably incorporating a precessional attitude control system; and utilizing a flared base, fins, or active use of the attitude control system during passage through the atmosphere. Subtly canting the fins can produce desired spinning of the vehicle. The propulsion system can employ liquid, hybrid, or solid fuel. A removable aero-shell assists atmospheric flight with thermal protection being provided by anticipated ablation, an ablative aero-spike, or transpirational cooling. And a releasable sabot enhances the effectiveness of the launch.
F42B 15/10 - Missiles having a trajectory only in the air
F42B 10/00 - Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
F42B 15/00 - Self-propelled projectiles or missiles, e.g. rockets; Guided missiles
A gas gun launcher having a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. A sliding seal is employed to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, again to enhance the accuracy of launches. And an embodiment of the gas gun launcher suitable for use in water such as an ocean or large lake preferably utilizes a neutrally buoyant launch tube and a neutrally buoyant pump tube. And a fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube conserves the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle.
F41F 1/00 - Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons; Harpoon guns
F41A 1/02 - Hypervelocity missile propulsion using successive means for increasing the propulsive force, e.g. using successively initiated propellant charges arranged along the barrel length; Multistage missile propulsion
F42B 15/01 - Arrangements thereon for guidance or control
A vehicle for launching from a gas gun having a housing; preferably incorporating a precessional attitude control system; and utilizing a flared base, fins, or active use of the attitude control system during passage through the atmosphere. Subtly canting the fins can produce desired spinning of the vehicle. The propulsion system can employ liquid, hybrid, or solid fuel. A removable aero-shell assists atmospheric flight with thermal protection being provided by anticipated ablation, an ablative aero-spike, or transpirational cooling. And a releasable sabot enhances the effectiveness of the launch.
F42B 15/10 - Missiles having a trajectory only in the air
F42B 10/00 - Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
F42B 15/00 - Self-propelled projectiles or missiles, e.g. rockets; Guided missiles
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