Vehicle launch system and method
The present disclosure relates to a launch system and method. The launch system and method can include at least a preliminary accelerator tube system (PAT) that can be combined with a main accelerator tube system (MAT). The PAT alone or combined with the MAT can be used for launch of a vehicle for testing and/or for delivery of a payload.
1. A soft catch system comprising:
a flight tube configured for longitudinal movement therethrough of a vehicle; and
at least one component present within the flight tube and configured to decelerate the vehicle, the at least one component comprising an ablative material configured to interact with a gas bearing band present on at least a portion of the vehicle,
wherein the ablative material is positioned within at least one trough formed along a length of the flight tube.
2. The soft catch system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one component present within the flight tube configured to decelerate the vehicle comprises a plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with a plurality of gases that differ based on one or more of composition, molecular weight, temperature, and density at constant pressure.
3. The soft catch system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with a plurality of gases is separated from a lower pressure section of the flight tube by a sealing membrane.
4. The soft catch system of claim 2 , further comprising a vent tube surrounding at least the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with the plurality of gases.
5. The soft catch system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with the plurality of gases includes a plurality of vents.
6. The soft catch system of claim 1 , wherein the ablative material is also configured as a ramp within the flight tube.
7. The soft catch system of claim 2 , further comprising one or both of a passive cushion and an active cushion positioned behind the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with the plurality of gases.
8. The soft catch system of claim 7 , wherein the passive cushion is present in the form of a variable density foam.
9. The soft catch system of claim 7 , wherein the active cushion is present in the form of a recoil piston.
10. The soft catch system of claim 7 , wherein the passive cushion is present behind the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with the plurality of gases, and the active cushion is present behind the passive cushion.
11. A launch system for launch of a vehicle, the launch system comprising:
a preliminary accelerator tube (PAT) configured for preliminary acceleration of a vehicle therethrough;
a main accelerator tube (MAT) configured for further acceleration of the vehicle therethrough; and
a soft catch system comprising a flight tube configured for longitudinal movement therethrough of a vehicle, and at least one component present within the flight tube and configured to decelerate the vehicle;
wherein the PAT is arranged to include:
a pre-acceleration chamber configured to receive a gas and an electric heater configured to heat the gas;
a valve assembly downstream of the pre-acceleration chamber and in fluid communication therewith, the valve assembly including at least one pressure-releasable valve; and
a pre-accelerator tube downstream of the valve assembly and in fluid communication therewith, the pre-accelerator tube being configured to contain the vehicle; and
wherein opening of the at least one pressure-releasable valve of the valve assembly creates a pressure wave sufficient to accelerate the vehicle through the pre-accelerator tube.
12. The launch system of claim 11 , wherein the pre-acceleration chamber comprises an internal heating system.
13. The launch system of claim 11 , wherein the pre-acceleration chamber comprises an external heating system.
14. The launch system of claim 11 , wherein the MAT comprises a main tube that is formed at least of two concentric, conductive tubes, the main tube being configured for delivery of electrical energy to the vehicle.
15. The launch system of claim 14 , wherein the launch system is configured such that a portion of the vehicle exits the MAT, and a portion of the vehicle is captured with the soft catch system.
16. A soft catch system comprising:
a flight tube configured for longitudinal movement therethrough of a vehicle; and
a plurality of components present within the flight tube and configured to decelerate the vehicle, the plurality of components comprising:
an ablative material configured to interact with a gas bearing band present on at least a portion of the vehicle;
a plurality of sections of the flight tube that are filled with a plurality of gases that differ based on one or more of composition, molecular weight, temperature, and density at constant pressure; and
one or both of a passive cushion and an active cushion positioned behind the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with the plurality of gases, wherein the active cushion is present in the form of a recoil piston or wherein the passive cushion is present behind the plurality of sections of the flight tube filled with the plurality of gases, and the active cushion is present behind the passive cushion.