Patent ID: 8047472

Claim:
A reusable space launch system booster to help propel a payload bearing rocket propelled upper stage into orbit around the earth, comprising: a maximum of first and second cylindrical housings, each having a fuel tank containing fuel within the housing, the first housing releasably attached to the second housing and the second housing releasably attached to the upper stage via a mating ring; two descent mechanisms, one in each of the first and second housings, to slow the descent of the first housing after release from the second housing and to slow the descent of the second housing after release from the upper stage; a plurality of fins attached to the first and second housings; a plurality of air breathing engines attached to the fins of the first housing; and, at least an air breathing engine attached to a cylindrical surface of the second housing wherein said air breathing engines are capable of providing a minimum speed exceeding Mach 2.0 during a substantially vertical ascent.