Patent ID: 9145215
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: B64D,B64G,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of piloting an aircraft comprising: performing a first aerodynamic flight step at a subsonic speed between Mach 0.5 and Mach 0.8 using aeronautical engines without in-flight refueling, performing a second space launch flight step using rocket propulsion units after controlling an aircraft inclination change between the first step and the second step, performing a third gliding descent step with a fuselage substantially perpendicular to trajectory, and performing a fourth aerodynamic flight landing step after repositioning the aircraft substantially in the direction of the trajectory between the third flight step and the fourth flight step, wherein said aircraft includes a fixed, substantially straight and elongated wing in a lateral direction of the fuselage of the aircraft, wherein said aircraft is piloted using a first propulsion mode using said aeronautical engines and using a second propulsion mode using said rocket propulsion units, and wherein said aircraft is a single-stage spacecraft constructed to achieve lift without a separate auxiliary launcher.