Patent ID: 7281682
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: B64C,B64G

Abstract:
1. A method for launching a spacecraft into an earth orbit, including the steps of: providing a spacecraft having a lifting body and at least one rocket engine; supporting the spacecraft on a ground-based vehicle; providing a turbojet engine to power the ground-based vehicle; operating the turbojet engine to accelerate the ground-based vehicle and spacecraft horizontally to achieve aerodynamic takeoff speed of the spacecraft; separating the spacecraft from the ground-based vehicle; said at least one rocket engine powering the spacecraft from horizontal liftoff to earth orbit; said spacecraft thereafter reentering the atmosphere and gliding back to the earth; refurbishing and reusing the spacecraft after gliding back to earth; providing the spacecraft with a removable unitary belly assembly extending to cover the bottom surfaces of the entire spacecraft, and replacing the belly assembly during refurbishing of the spacecraft.