Crewed on-orbit, returnable, and reusable space vehicle

• US 6,666,409 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Issued: 12/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Cronick, Jeffrey J., Smith, Thomas R., Wechsler, James K., Green, Jennifer L., Lindley, Brian R., Carpenter, Jon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLZEN, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US10/374,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20030183727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158.R, 244/160, 244/162, 244/170, 244/139, 244/140
• US Class Current: 244/159.3
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/14 Space shuttles reusable launch rockets B64G1/006
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/26 using jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/52 Protection, safety or emergency devices; Survival aids
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/62 Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/641 Interstage or payload connectors docking systems B64G1/646

Abstract

A returnable and reusable space vehicle including a main body separate from and releasably mounted to a booster rocket assembly. A crew compartment module is provided that is separate from and releasably mounted to the main body. A propellant system is operably coupled to the crew compartment module so as to propel the crew compartment module from the main body during an emergency procedure. An orientation control system is coupled to the propellant system such that the orientation control system maintains the crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during the emergency procedure. A pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extend from the main body to provide aerodynamic lift the the main body to permit the main body to return from the orbit and land.

Claims

1. A method of using a reuseable, modular, multi-stage to orbit space vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a booster rocket assembly;

providing a main body releasably mounted to said booster rocket assembly, said main body capable of maintaining and changing orbit during a normal procedure, said main body having a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending therefrom providing aerodynamic lift to said main body to permit said main body to return from said orbit and land;

providing a crew compartment module separate from and releasably mounted to said main body, said crew compartment module having a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending therefrom providing aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment module to return from said orbit and land; and

actuating a propellant system operably coupled to said crew compartment module during an emergency procedure so as to propel said crew compartment module from said main body.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during said emergency procedure.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module includes deploying a parachute.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein said reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module includes deploying an airbag.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

jettisoning said propellant system from said crew compartment module during said emergency procedure.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

actuating maneuvering rockets disposed along at least one of said booster rocket assembly, said main body, and said crew compartment module during said normal procedure.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said actuating a propellant system including actuating said propellant system while the space vehicle is on a launch pad.

9. A method of using a reuseable, modular, multi-stage to orbit space vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a booster rocket assembly;

providing a main body releasably mounted to said booster rocket assembly, said main body capable of maintaining and changing orbit during a normal procedure, said main body having a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending therefrom providing aerodynamic lift to said main body to permit said main body to return from said orbit and land;

providing a crew compartment module separate from and releasably mounted to said main body, said crew compartment module having a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extending therefrom providing aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment module to return from said orbit and land; and

maintaining said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during an emergency procedure.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

actuating a separation propellant system operably coupled to said crew compartment module during an emergency procedure so as to propel said crew compartment module from said main body.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

jettisoning said separation propellant system from said crew compartment module during said emergency procedure.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module includes deploying a parachute.

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein said reducing the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module includes deploying an airbag.

15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

actuating maneuvering rockets disposed along at least one of said booster rocket assembly, said main body, and said crew compartment module during said normal procedure.

16. A method of forming a reuseable, modular, multi-stage to orbit space vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a booster rocket assembly;

releasably mounting a main body to said booster rocket assembly, said main body capable of maintaining and changing orbit during a normal procedure;

coupling a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings to said main body to provide aerodynamic lift to said main body to permit said main body to return from said orbit and land;

releasably mounting a crew compartment module to said main body;

coupling a pair of aerodynamic lifting wings to said crew compartment module to provide aerodynamic lift to said crew compartment module to permit said crew compartment module to return from said orbit and land; and

coupling a propellant system to said crew compartment module, said propellant system being actuatable during an emergency procedure so as to propel said crew compartment module from said main body.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

integrating an orientation control system with said propellant system, said orientation control system maintaining said crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during said emergency procedure.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

coupling an energy absorbing assembly to said crew compartment module to reduce the amount of impact energy experienced during landing of said crew compartment module.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein said coupling an energy absorbing assembly to said crew compartment module includes coupling a parachute.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein said coupling an energy absorbing assembly to said crew compartment module includes coupling an airbag.

21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

coupling maneuvering rockets along at least one of said booster rocket assembly, said main body, and said crew compartment module.