Patent ID: 6367243
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B64G,F02K,G21D,Y02E

Abstract:
A combined cycle propulsion system for an aerodynamic vehicle, comprising:a propellant store housed in the vehicle for storing a fuel therein; a nuclear-based thermal rocket (NTR) coupled to said propellant store, said NTR burning said fuel and producing a hydrogen exhaust stream whereby a thrust force is applied to the vehicle so that the vehicle is propelled through the air; and means for selectively introducing an uncompressed flow of the air surrounding the vehicle into said exhaust stream at speeds of the vehicle up to approximately Mach 6 , and for stopping said flow of air when a specified combination of speed of the vehicle and altitude of the vehicle is achieved, said specified combination being defined by a speed of the vehicle of approximately Mach 6 and an altitude of the vehicle of approximately 40 kilometers.