Patent CA-2586012-A1 (CA)
Inventor: VOON GERARD
IPC: B64G1/14
Filed: 2007-04-19
Abstract: 1. Propelling space shuttle in space.   Our contraption consists of two mechanical/robotic arms on both sides with an elastic/tether attached to both ends of the arms and a straight mechanical/robotic arm on the centre which pulls back the elastic in the middle like a bow and arrow. We could also use a mechanical/robotic arm extending elastic sling shot design. Sitting on the end of the centre arm is a space shuttle. This bow contraption (elastic/tether and all) could be carried with the space shuttle for reuse all along its trip to its destination (moving faster and faster in the frictionless environment.   You can't use a normal sling shot in space, because there are no anchors (all objects are in zero gravity, no weight to secure the position of the two tips of the of the elastic/tether) to hold the two ends of the elastic/tether firm in place, when you pull the centre of the elastic/tether backwards. The reason I believe my technology will is because the (probably two and maybe an additional one in the centre of the elastic/tether in the other direction of the two - on either end) robotic arm stretches the elastic/tether from both ends. Pulling and creating resistance on both ends of the elastic/tether.   2. Launching a Space Shuttle from the Land/Ground Secondly we suggest building a huge sling shot that rises diagonally to launch or straight -- from the bottom of a very deep pit could be dug and huge weighted (see DRAWING 6, 7 and 8) - the elastic/tether is released from the weight by a locking or other mechanism.  Furthermore (possibly multiple) heavy anchored tractors arms or (possibly multiple) heavy duty robotic stretching arms (see DRAWINGS 6 and 7) or the walls could have rebar/iron/steel/and or huge concrete where rungs (see DRAWING 8) are anchored to pull down the elastic/tether to the bottom of the pit.   Another innovation is for the (possibly multiple) heavy duty robotic arms to grip rung(s) by rung(s) climbing to the bottom of the pit. At the other end the two anchors holding forward the two end of the elastic, could anchored rebar (deep into the ground) -filled with iron, in a giant pyramid shape, wrapped with a thick layer of steel.   The shape space shuttle should probably be in the shape of a paper air plane to help a straight path, so it does not spin - twirl. The sling shot can be the first stage of launch, with rocket booster that provide the secondary push out above the atmosphere.  Flatter wings can be packed in its payload. When in space and ready to re-enter the atmosphere, the space shuttle could be fitter with flatter wings, so they can enter the atmosphere surfing to slow downward entry.   Additionally the space shuttle could use wing elevation flaps to aim more vertically (point more straight up).     My invention in one version comprises a large coil/spring on the back (or possibly more on the below and above the wings) of a space shuttle Another option is to have the cap extendable (see DRAWING 2.).   Another invention is to build a large space station, with very long decks (see DRAWING 3.).  Basically we fasten two sides of an elastic/tether to the one of the decks of the space station.  Another invention for launching a space shuttle. Again there is a sling shot, two sides of an elastic/tether are heavily anchored, robotic arms climb down a very deep pit pulling the centre of the elastic/tether and space shuttle place down to the bottom of the pit.     Another invention is to have the sling shot in space.