System for upending/reclining launch vehicles

An improved system is disclosed for upending/reclining an extraterrestrial vehicle. In one embodiment, first and second trunnion supports may be positioned on opposing sides of a u-shaped opening provided at the rearward end of a mobile support platform. A launch vehicle may be pivotably supported via trunnions received by the first and second trunnion supports for pivotal movement between a reclined position on top of the support platform to an upended position. In the upended position a launch vehicle will extend through the u-shaped opening. A bridge assembly may be selectively interconnected to the launch vehicle to facilitate handling, transport and storage therewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a system for upending/reclining 
extraterrestrial vehicles for launching, assembly, storage and/or 
transport purposes. More particularly, the invention pertains to an 
apparatus/method for readily translating a launch vehicle (e.g. for 
satellite placement) from a reclined to upright position, and vice versa, 
via pivotal movement of the launch vehicle on and relative to a support 
platform. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The nature and extent of use of extraterrestrial vehicles is evolving at a 
rapid pace. In particular, the use of launch vehicles to position 
communication and other data transfer satellites into earth-based orbits 
is of current significance. 
Indeed, the proliferation of competing data transfer satellite 
constellations is expected to continue well into the twenty-first century 
as such systems are increasingly utilized for commercial, personal and 
government purposes. These constellations and associated service networks 
provide for not only rapid, point-to-point communications and data 
transfer, they also avoid the burdensome need for "hard-wire" installation 
and significant material/labor expenses associated therewith. In this 
regard, virtually-seamless, transcontinental communication services are 
already becoming economically practical. 
As will be appreciated, however, with increased reliance upon such 
satellite systems comes the need for high reliability. In turn, the 
provision of such reliability will depend upon the ability to rapidly 
service satellite systems via the ready replacement of disabled satellites 
within a given constellation. In addition to prompt response, the ability 
to achieve satellite replacement in a cost-effective manner is of obvious 
importance. For such purposes, it has been recognized that storage sites 
for launch vehicles (i.e., extraterrestrial vehicles utilized to position 
replacement satellites) will need to be geographically dispersed and 
otherwise designed for aesthetic and secure implementation. 
In addition to data transfer satellite constellations, the use of launch 
vehicles to rapidly deploy tactical or emergency response satellites is of 
interest. By way of example, in the event of a crisis situation, the 
ability to quickly position an observation satellite, and thereby 
facilitate enhanced responsive action, is of potential particular 
interest. 
Traditional systems for launching extraterrestrial vehicles are not 
well-suited for the noted needs. By way of example, traditional systems 
have employed a number of separate components for the storage, transport, 
erection, assembly and launching of extraterrestrial vehicles. Of 
particular example, permanent cranes, hydraulic lifts and other 
high-powered apparatus have been utilized for upending extraterrestrial 
vehicles from a reclined position to an inclined position for assembly and 
launch. Such apparatus are expensive and positionally-fixed in nature, 
typically under-utilized and do not accommodate dual use for transport, 
purposes or off-site assembly. In the later regard, traditional systems 
are typically limited in launch throughput since launch vehicles are 
assembled while positioned at a launch mount. As will be appreciated, the 
launch mount (e.g. flame ducts, umbilical mast, etc.) is typically the 
major cost component of a traditional launch site. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide an 
effective system for rapidly and readily upending/reclining an 
extraterrestrial vehicle for assembly, transport, storage and/or launching 
purposes. 
A further objective is to provide an improved upending/reclining system in 
a cost-effective and relatively easy-to-use manner. 
An additional objective is to provide an improved upending/reclining system 
that can be readily integrated for use with traditional launch site 
systems so as to increase throughput and reduce launch costs. 
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a system for 
handling extraterrestrial vehicles which utilizes inventive componentry 
for not only upending an extraterrestrial vehicle for launch, but 
additionally utilizes such componentry for upending/reclining a vehicle 
for assembly and storage at one or more remote sites and for transport of 
the vehicle between such sites and/or to a launch site in a convenient 
fashion. 
These objectives and additional advantages can be realized utilizing an 
inventive apparatus which includes a support platform for supporting an 
extraterrestrial vehicle, and trunnion means, supported by the support 
platform, for pivotally positioning an extraterrestrial vehicle relative 
to the support platform. By virtue of the capability to pivotably handle 
an extraterrestrial vehicle, a vehicle may assume a reclined position on 
the support platform and be readily pivoted to an upended position that is 
transverse to the support platform for assembly and/or launch purposes. 
The vehicle may also be readily pivoted back to a reclined position on the 
support platform for transport and/or storage. To facilitate such 
pivotable positioning, the extraterrestrial vehicle may be interconnected 
to the trunnion means for pivotal movement about an axis located above the 
support platform. 
The support platform preferably includes a u-shaped opening at one end 
(e.g., so as to define a fork-like configuration), with the trunnion means 
positioned adjacent thereto. By way of primary example, first and second 
trunnion supports may be mounted on the support platform on opposing sides 
of the u-shaped opening, wherein the bottom end of the extraterrestrial 
vehicle is downwardly pivotable through the opening. To support the bottom 
end of the extraterrestrial vehicle, a support member may be selectively 
interconnected to extend laterally away from the bottom end of the vehicle 
and supportably engage the ground or other support surface. More 
particularly, the support member may include at least one rotatable member 
such as a wheel for supportive, lateral movement on the ground or other 
support surface. In the latter regard, drive means may be included to 
selectively impart lateral movement to the support platform as well as the 
extraterrestrial vehicle and support member interconnected thereto. To 
accommodate such lateral movement the support platform may be mounted on 
wheels to effectively define a flat-bed carrier. Correspondingly, the 
drive means may include a motorized vehicle such as a truck tractor, and 
the support member may in essence define a fifth-wheel. Such an 
arrangement readily accommodates driven transport of an extraterrestrial 
vehicle from a storage location to a launch site. 
To facilitate handling of the extraterrestrial vehicle, a bridge assembly 
may be directly connected to the extraterrestrial vehicle and provide for 
cooperative interface with the support platform, trunnion supports and 
support member. That is, such bridge assembly may be disposed on top of 
the platform for supportably receiving the extraterrestrial vehicle on the 
support platform in the reclined position, and for pivotal movement with 
the extraterrestrial vehicle during upending/reclining procedures. 
By way of example, the bridge assembly may be of an open frame construction 
and include cradle means to matingly receive an extraterrestrial vehicle. 
Such cradle means may comprise two or more cradle members spaced to 
matingly engage the extraterrestrial vehicle. Since extraterrestrial 
vehicles generally have cylindrical outer surfaces, the cradle members may 
each define an arcuate outward-facing, support structure. The bridge 
assembly is preferably flat on the side opposite to the cradle members, 
thereby facilitating supportive interface with a top, flat surface of the 
support platform. One or more straps may be provided for selective 
positioning on the bridge assembly in opposing relation to the cradle 
members), thereby restricting movement of an extraterrestrial vehicle 
relative to the bridge assembly during upending/reclining procedures. 
The bridge assembly may further include sidewardly projecting trunnions for 
pivotal interface with pivot interconnection means (e.g., pillow blocks) 
mounted on the trunnion supports. In this regard, the pivot 
interconnection means may be disposed on vertical lift members which may 
be extended/retracted into/out of pivotal engagement with the trunnions of 
the bridge assembly. 
The bridge assembly may also include one or more support platforms spaced 
along the length thereof, such platforms provide access to the launch 
vehicle at one or more spaced elevations when the vehicle is upended, 
thereby facilitating assembly, access to conditioning systems, 
maintenance, etc. 
To facilitate storage of an extraterrestrial vehicle (e.g. at a location 
remote from a launch assembly site), the bridge assembly may further 
comprise one or more selectively engageable storage support devices. Such 
devices may be employed to independently support the bridge assembly and 
extraterrestrial vehicle, thereby allowing the support platform to be 
utilized elsewhere. Such storage support devices may be in the form of 
kick-stand-like members and/or hydraulic, telescoping cylinder lifts. For 
example, such devices may be interconnected near one end of the bridge 
assembly and a support member as described above may be interconnected to 
the other end of the bridge assembly. 
In such an arrangement, a bridge assembly and extraterrestrial vehicle 
supportably carried thereby may be horizontally positioned in a 
ground-based storage facility and the storage support device(s) pivoted 
and/or extended to supportably engage the ground or other support surface. 
Since the above-noted support member will also be in engagement with the 
support surface, the support platform may be laterally withdrawn away from 
the bridge assembly and extraterrestrial vehicle, e.g. by a motorized 
vehicle. Such horizontal storage capabilities free up the support platform 
and trunnion supports mounted thereto for use elsewhere. Additionally, 
this arrangement enhances the ability to address security and otherwise 
accommodates aesthetic interface with the area surrounding a storage 
facility. 
When transport of the stored bridge assembly/extraterrestrial vehicle is 
desired, the support platform may again be readily positioned laterally 
under the bridge assembly. To facilitate such reengagement, as well as the 
withdrawal procedure noted above, the flat side of the cradle portion of 
the bridge assembly may include one or more rotatable members which extend 
downwardly when in the reclined position to rotatably engage the top 
surface of the support platform in a laterally progressive manner. As will 
be appreciated, such rotatable members may be spring-loaded to facilitate 
positioning of the support platform thereunder. After positioning of the 
support platform, the storage support devices may be pivoted or otherwise 
retracted to a transport position that may be conveniently nested within 
the bridge assembly. 
For upending/reclining purposes, the inventive system may, in one 
arrangement, include a launch or assembly site having a suitable ground or 
other support surface, a launch pad recessed relative to the support 
surface, and a ramp extending between the support surface and recessed 
launch pad. Preferably, a portion of the upper support surface straddles 
the ramp, wherein the top end of the ramp smoothly adjoins the upper 
support surface and the ramp angles downwardly therefrom to the launch 
pad. When a support platform having a rearward u-shaped opening as 
described above is employed, the width of the rear-end portion of the 
support platform should exceed that of the ramp so that rear wheels on the 
support platform may rotatably engage the support surface on each side of 
the ramp, thereby permitting lateral movement of support platform in a 
first direction over the ramp. Corresponding with such lateral movement, a 
rotatable member mounted at the terminal end of the above-noted support 
member can engage and roll down the ramp. Concomitantly, the 
extraterrestrial vehicle will pivot about the pivot axis defined by the 
trunnion means and into an upended position. If desired, e.g. after 
assembly, the extraterrestrial vehicle may be readily reclined back onto 
the support platform by lateral movement of the support platform in a 
second direction, opposite to the first direction, whereby the support 
member will roll back up the ramp and the extraterrestrial vehicle will 
pivot in a controlled fashion back to the reclined position. 
In another upending/reclining arrangement, the inventive system may include 
a launch or assembly site having a first support surface (e.g. at ground 
level), a second support surface elevated relative to the first support 
surface, a ramp extending between the first support surface and second 
support surface and a launch or assembly support pad positioned on the 
first support surface. Preferably, a portion of the first support surface 
extends through the ramp and elevated second support surface so as to 
provide an access path to the launch/support pad. In this regard, the 
width of the rear-end portion of the support platform should be sufficient 
so that the wheels on each side of the support platform may rotatably 
engage the ramp on each side of the access path of the first support 
surface, thereby permitting the support platform to straddle the access 
path and move in a lateral first direction up the ramp. Corresponding with 
such lateral movement, a rotatable member mounted at the terminal end of a 
support member as noted above can engage and roll along the access path. 
Concomitantly, the extraterrestrial vehicle will pivot about the pivot 
axis defined by the trunnion means into an upended position. In this 
regard, pivotal, upending movement of the extraterrestrial vehicle may be 
facilitated by the use of a winch assembly or the like (e.g. selectively 
interconnectable to the support platform to pull the platform up the ramp 
via a winding operation). If desired, e.g., after assembly, the 
extraterrestrial vehicle may be readily reclined back on to the support 
platform by lateral movement of the support platform in a second 
direction, opposite to the first direction, back down the ramp. 
Correspondingly, the support member will roll back along the access path 
of the first support surface. In this regard, the use of a winch assembly 
or the like will facilitate controlled pivotal movement of the 
extraterrestrial vehicle back to the reclined position (e.g. via a 
controlled unwinding operation). 
To further facilitate positioning of the extraterrestrial vehicle on the 
launch pad or assembly support pad, and as noted above, the trunnion means 
may comprise pillow blocks or the like mounted on support members with via 
one or more vertical lift members (e.g. hydraulic telescoping lifts). Such 
lift members can serve to selectively, vertically extend so that the 
pillow blocks may selectively engage the trunnions of the bridge assembly 
to facilitate the noted pivotal translation of the extraterrestrial 
vehicle, then retract to lower the extraterrestrial vehicle on to the 
launch/support pad in a controlled manner. Additionally, guide means may 
be provided to facilitate positioning the extraterrestrial vehicle in the 
precise, predetermined launch location on the launch pad. By way of 
example, such guide means may include one or more tapered pins projecting 
upwardly from the launch/support pad and corresponding tapered recesses 
presented at the bottom of the bridge assembly. 
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention 
comprises a simple and effective method for upending/reclining an 
extraterrestrial vehicle from a reclined/upended position to an 
upended/reclined position. Such method includes supporting a vehicle on a 
support platform in a reclined position, and pivoting the vehicle between 
an upended position and said reclined position, wherein the vehicle is 
pivotable relative to the support platform about a pivot axis that is 
supported by the support platform. The pivot axis may be advantageously 
located above the support platform and extend across a u-shaped opening in 
a rearward portion thereof. 
In this regard, the pivoting step may include the supportably lowering a 
bottom end of the extraterrestrial vehicle and/or elevating said support 
platform, wherein the vehicle extends through the u-shaped opening when 
upended. The pivoting step may comprise laterally moving the pivot axis 
and support platform in tandem. In one arrangement, the method may include 
pivoting an extraterrestrial vehicle about a pivot axis located on one 
side of the center of gravity of an extraterrestrial vehicle and 
interconnected bridge assembly when in the reclined position. Such one 
side should include the top end of the extraterrestrial vehicle. In that 
regard, when the pivoting step includes the step of pivotally lowering the 
bottom end of the extraterrestrial vehicle, and thereby raising the top 
end, the method may advantageously utilize gravitational force as the 
prime mover to pivot the extraterrestrial vehicle about the pivot axis. 
When a support member is interconnected to support the extraterrestrial 
vehicle at the bottom end, the pivoting step may further include the 
substep of moving a terminal end of the support member laterally, or 
laterally and downwardly. Such terminal end may include a rotatable member 
which rolls across a support surface at a launch/assembly site. 
Numerous extensions and additional advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with 
reference to FIGS. 1-5. While FIGS. 1-5 and the accompanying description 
are presented in relation to a cylindrical, extraterrestrial launch 
vehicle of the type utilized for the positioning of satellites into 
earth-based orbits, it should be appreciated that the present invention 
can be readily employed in numerous other applications and is in no way 
limited thereto. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the described embodiment includes a 
support platform 10 having first and second trunnion supports 20a, 20b 
mounted in opposing relation thereupon. The first and second trunnion 
supports 20a, 20b each comprise a support frame 22a, 22b and hydraulic 
lift 24a, 24b supportably retained thereby. Each hydraulic lift 24a, 24b 
includes a bottom portion 26a, 26b supportably positioned on the top 
surface 12 of support platform 10, and a top portion 28a, 28b selectively 
extendable and retractable relative to bottom portion 26a, 26b. Top 
portions 28a, 28b each comprise a pivot interconnection means 30a, 30b 
(not shown) which together serve to pivotably support a launch vehicle 
therebetween during use. 
More particularly, the first and second trunnion supports 20a, 20b support 
a pivot axis PA between their respective interconnection means 30a, 30b. 
Such pivot axis PA may be selectively raised/lowered via driven 
extension/retraction of top portions 28a, 28b, of lifts 24a, 24b most 
typically in tandem, relative to bottom portions 26a, 26b of lifts 24a, 
24b . 
By way of example, the above-noted interconnection means 30a, 30b may 
comprise pillow blocks having u-shaped openings for receiving trunnions 
therebetween. The legs of the u-shaped openings may be flared or angled 
outwardly, thereby facilitating the positioning of trunnions therein. 
The support platform 10 includes a u-shaped opening 14 in a rear-end 
portion 16 thereof. The first and second trunnion supports 20a, 20b are 
positioned on opposing sides of and immediately adjacent to the u-shaped 
opening 14. A front-end portion 18 of support platform 10 tapers inwardly 
toward center axis AA from the rear-end portion 16. The front end portion 
18 is interconnected via a mating bar 32 with a tractor-truck 34 for 
driven motion of support platform 10. In this regard, support platform 10 
is provided with a plurality of spaced wheels 36 disposed on each side of 
the center axis AA of platform 10 and opening 14. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2B, the various components noted above with 
respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrated as employed for transport and 
interface with a bridge assembly 40 that supportably retains a cylindrical 
launch vehicle 60. Bridge assembly 40 is of an open frame construction and 
is directly connected to a support member 50 at a bottom or rearward end. 
Support member 50 includes a laterally extending toe portion 52 with one 
or more wheels 54 rotatably mounted thereto. Bridge assembly 40 includes 
two or more cradle members 44 for receipt of cylindrical launch vehicle 
60, and sidewardly projecting trunnions (not shown) for receipt by and 
pivotal interface with the pivot interconnection means 30a, 30b (e.g., 
pillow blocks) of first and second trunnion supports 20a, 20b. In the 
later regard, pivotal interconnection on pivot axis PA is established on 
the top or forward side of the center of gravity of the launch vehicle 60 
and interconnected bridge assembly 40 in the reclined position. 
Bridge assembly 40 further includes selectively interconnectable straps 
(not shown) spaced along launch vehicle 60 for selective positioning 
around launch vehicle 60 so as to retain launch vehicle 60 between such 
straps and the frame of bridge assembly 40. Finally, bridge assembly may 
include a plurality of support platforms 46 for providing convenient 
access to extraterrestrial vehicle 60 at a plurality of spaced locations 
when extraterrestrial vehicle is in an upended position. 
In the transport position illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the bottom or 
rear-end of bridge assembly 40 is supported by support member 50 via 
rolling engagement of therotatable member 54 on a support surface. Center 
axis CC of launch vehicle 60 is advantageously disposed substantially 
parallel to the longitudinal center axis of support platform AA for ease 
of vehicle handling and control during transport. 
FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate upending/reclining procedures at a launch or 
assembly site 100. With specific reference to FIG. 3A, platform 10, and 
bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60 supported thereby, are 
illustrated as they travel across a support surface 110 toward a ramp 120 
pursuant to the rearward, driven movement of tractor-truck 34. Upon 
reaching the ramp 120, FIG. 3B illustrates how continued rearward movement 
of the tractor-truck 34 results in pivotal upending of the bridge assembly 
40 and launch vehicle 60 supported thereby. 
More particularly, it should be noted that ramp 120 declines from support 
surface 110 into a recessed region 130. Support surface 110 extends on 
both sides of the recessed region 130 to support the wheels 36 of platform 
10. That is, the width of the recessed region 130 is less than the width 
of the wheel base defined by wheels 36 of the support platform 10. In this 
manner, support platform 10 will straddle the recessed region 130 during 
upending procedures. As shown in FIG. 3B, rotatable member 54 of support 
member 50 supportably engages and rolls downward along ramp 120 with 
rearward motion of support platform 10. In conjunction therewith, the 
bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60 pivot about pivot axis PA under 
the influence of gravity. Such use of gravity in this embodiment is of 
particular advantage. To insure control over the pivotal motion of the 
extraterrestrial vehicle 60 and bridge assembly 40, the tractor-truck 34 
may be provided with a redundant braking system. 
With continued rearward movement of truck-tractor 34 and support platform 
10, the bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60 will pivot to a totally 
upended position, which in the illustrated embodiment is substantially 
vertical. In a launch site application shown in FIGS. 3C-3F, the bottom 
end of launch vehicle 60 can then be laterally positioned to assume a 
location that is vertically spaced from the top of a launch pad 140 
positioned in the bottom of recessed region 130. In this position, the 
vertical lift devices 24a, 24b of the first and second trunnions 20a, 20b 
may be utilized to lower the bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60 
downward into a precise, desired launch position on launch pad 140 as 
shown in FIG. 3D. In this regard, it can be seen that the upper portion 
28a, 28b of the lift device(s) 24a, 24b is retracted from an extended 
position in FIG. 3C to a retracted position in FIG. 3D to achieve final 
disposition of the bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60. To facilitate 
such final positioning, tapered, upwardly projecting pins 142 may be 
spaced about launch pad 142 and received by corresponding openings 56 in 
the bottom of support member 52. As further shown in FIG. 3D, launch pad 
140 may be interconnected with an appropriate exhaust removal system 150 
for receipt and redirection of the high-temperature exhaust of launch 
vehicle 60 upon launching. 
Bridge assembly 40 provides pre-launch access to launch vehicles at a 
plurality of different levels in its upright position via support 
platforms 46. In this regard, and as shown in FIG. 3E, the launch site may 
further include an umbilical mast 160 which can be utilized for selective 
interconnection to launch vehicle 60 in its upended position. The 
umbilical mast may comprise electrical, pneumatic and other conditioning 
system interfaces as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
As shown in FIG. 3F, after launch vehicle 60 has been secured in its 
upright position on launch pad 140, the straps of bridge assembly 40 may 
be selectively disengaged from launch vehicle 60, and truck-tractor 34 may 
be driven forward, away from launch vehicle 60. Such forward motion 
results in pivotal motion of bridge assembly 40 about pivot axis PA and 
back into a support position on top surface 12 of support platform 10. 
As noted, FIGS. 3C-3F illustrate a launch vehicle 60 being positioned upon 
a launch pad 140 for launching purposes. It should be appreciated that if, 
for any reason, a determination is made that the launch should not go 
forward, the launch vehicle 60 may remain interconnected to the bridge 
assembly 40, lifted from launch pad 140 and readily reclined back onto the 
top of support platform 10 pursuant to the driven motion of platform 12, 
as illustrated in FIG. 3F. More particularly, the top portions 26a, 26b of 
lifts 24a, 24b may be extended such that the interconnection means 30a, 
30b engage the trunnions of bridge assembly 40 to lift launch vehicle 60. 
Subsequently, forward driven motion of tractor 34 will cause rotatable 
member 54 to roll up ramp 130, and the bridge assembly 40 with launch 
vehicle 60 interconnected thereto will controllably pivot back down onto 
the top of support platform 12. 
An analogous procedure to that described above may be utilized to 
facilitate upright assembly of launch vehicle 60. In this regard, site 100 
may simply be an assembly site wherein an assembly support pad is provided 
having tapered pins 56 for positioning a launch vehicle 60 thereupon for 
assembly procedures. As will be appreciated, the ability to readily 
upend/recline the launch vehicle for assembly provides numerous attendant 
advantages. By way of example, such a procedure could be utilized as 
opposed to current procedures which often entail the assembly of a launch 
vehicle at a launch site, thereby tying-up expensive launch pad resources 
and otherwise limiting launch throughput. Further, such a procedure allows 
for the provision of low-cost assembly/maintenance sites that can service 
launch vehicles stored at a plurality of storage sites, wherein a given 
launch vehicle may be transported one or more times to the assembly site 
for assembly and/or periodic maintenance, then readily transported to one 
of a plurality of storage facilities or a launch site. 
FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate another upending/reclining arrangement. More 
particularly, assembly or launch site 200 comprises a ground surface 210, 
elevated surface 230 and a ramp 220 extending therebetween. Ground surface 
210 includes an access path 212 which extends through ramp 220 and into 
elevated surface 230 to provide access to a launch or support pad 240. As 
will be appreciated, access path 212 in essence bisects ramp 220 and 
elevated surface 230, wherein rotatable member 54 of support member 50 may 
engage and roll along the access path 212 during upending/reclining 
procedures. 
In this regard, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when support 
platform 10 is moved laterally toward pad 240, the support platform 10 
will straddle the access path 212 and move upward on bisected ramp 220 to 
the top of the bisected elevated support surface 230. Concomitantly, as 
rotatable member 54 moves along access path 212 the bridge assembly 40 and 
launch vehicle 60 supported thereby will pivot to an upended position. To 
facilitate pivotal movement of bridge assembly 40, a winch cable 270 
connected to a winch assembly (not shown) may be utilized to pull platform 
10 up the ramp 220. As with the embodiment described in FIGS. 3A-3F, 
recesses 56 may be provided at the bottom of bridge assembly 40 for use 
with tapered pins 242 on pad 240 to position bridge assembly 60 on 
support/launch pad 240. Reclining procedures may be carried out in a 
fashion similar to that described above in relation to the arrangement of 
FIGS. 3A-3F. Again, the use of a winch cable 270 can facilitate such 
reclining procedure by insuring controlled movement of platform 10 and 
therefore bridge assembly 40/launch vehicle 60. 
In addition to ready transport and upending of an extraterrestrial vehicle 
60, the described embodiment also accommodates convenient storage of an 
extraterrestrial vehicle 60 for rapid deployment to a launch site 100. In 
this regard, FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate the positioning and storage of an 
extraterrestrial vehicle 60 and bridge assembly 40 interconnected thereto 
within a storage facility 200. As will be appreciated, numerous storage 
facilities 200 and launch sites 100 could be geographically dispersed in 
order to accommodate rapid deployment of a given launch vehicle 60/bridge 
assembly 40 to a given launch site 100. In this manner, for example, a 
disabled satellite in a satellite constellation could be rapidly replaced 
by a satellite carried by launch vehicle 60. 
With particular reference to FIG. 5A, the embodiment described in relation 
to FIGS. 2A and 2B can be rearwardly positioned via truck-trailer 34 into 
the storage facility 200. Thereafter, and as shown in FIG. 5B jack-like 
devices 42a, 42b, interconnected on opposing sides of the bridge assembly 
40 may be pivoted downward and extended to engage the support surface. In 
this position, the jack-like devices 42a, 42b serve to support the top or 
forward end of the bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60, while the 
support member 50 supports the bottom or rearward end thereof. As such, 
support platform 10 may then be readily moved out from under bridge 
assembly 40 via driven, forward motion by truck-tractor 34. To facilitate 
such disengagement, the forward end of cradle portion 44 of bridge 
assembly 40 may be provided with one or more downwardly projecting wheels 
48. Such wheels 48 may then serve to engage and roll across the top 
surface 12 of platform 10 as platform 10 is pulled away from the bridge 
assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60. After the truck-tractor 34 and platform 
10 are disengaged, they can of course be driven to other locations for use 
while the bridge assembly 40 and launch vehicle 60 remain within storage 
facility 200. Storage facility 200 may be further provided with a door 202 
for security purposes. When transport of the launch vehicle 60/bridge 
assembly 40 is desired, the platform may be readily backed into position 
thereunder, wherein wheels 48 on bridge assembly 40 facilitate 
reengagement. Thereafter jack-like devices can be retracted and pivoted to 
a rested position within bridge assembly 40 for transport therewith. 
The described embodiment and arrangements have been presented to facilitate 
an understanding of the operation and advantages of the present invention. 
Numerous modifications and extensions will be apparent to those skilled in 
the art and are within the scope of the present invention as defined by 
the claims which follow.