Patent ID: 7131613
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: B64B,B64G

Abstract:
1. A lifting system, designed and suited for lifting a rocket having at least one rocket engine to atmospheric heights before said rocket engine is ignited, comprising: a. at least one inflatable buoyant vessel designed to be filled with helium or hydrogen; b. a liftable tank-holding subassembly, comprising at least one pressurized tank suited for holding helium or hydrogen, and at least one pump or compressor coupled to at least one hose, said pump and hose being capable of partially deflating at least one inflatable buoyant vessel, with means for coupling said tank-holding subassembly to at least one inflatable buoyant vessel; c. at least one winged aircraft, having at least two rotatable wings affixed to opposed sides of said winged aircraft and having at least one aircraft engine mounted to each of said rotatable wings and capable of generating upward thrust when the rotatable wings are positioned vertically, and forward thrust when the rotatable wings are positioned horizontally; d. means for suspending said winged aircraft beneath said tank-holding subassembly and for releasing said winged aircraft from said tank-holding subassembly; e. means for both (i) suspending a rocket from the lifting system, thereby allowing the rocket to be lifted into the atmosphere by the lifting system, and (ii) releasing the rocket from the lifting system, once the lifting system and the rocket have reached a suitable altitude during a launching operation.