GB2494501A - Spacecraft build material - Google Patents
Spacecraft build material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2494501A GB2494501A GB1212195.0A GB201212195A GB2494501A GB 2494501 A GB2494501 A GB 2494501A GB 201212195 A GB201212195 A GB 201212195A GB 2494501 A GB2494501 A GB 2494501A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- rocket
- spacecraft
- text
- fuel
- parts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 101100532451 Rattus norvegicus Slc22a17 gene Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract 1
- 235000011089 carbon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000015842 Hesperis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012633 Iberis amara Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/002—Launch systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/10—Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/14—Space shuttles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/226—Special coatings for spacecraft
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/40—Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
- B64G1/402—Propellant tanks; Feeding propellants
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G1/64—Systems for coupling or separating cosmonautic vehicles or parts thereof, e.g. docking arrangements
- B64G1/648—Tethers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
Abstract
At least part of a rocket or spacecraft is made of a frozen gas in solid form 2. There may be two or more parts of said spacecraft made from frozen gas in solid form. The frozen gas in solid form may be carbon dioxide. The part or parts may be made from two or more frozen gasses to form a composite. The part or parts may be one of; a cowling, fairing nose cone, bolt or bolts or cover or tether or support or strut. The part or parts may be a fuel or oxidiser tank. The part or parts may form two or more fuel or oxidiser tanks of at least one stage 1. The fuel and oxidiser may be cryogenic liquids to assist in maintaining the integrity of the fuel or oxidiser tanks. The fuel and oxidiser may be liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen. The engines 3 associated with the at least one stage or stages may be jettisoned.
Description
Space debris reducer This invention relates to at least a part of a rockec or spacecraft designed to reduce space debris and be a benign part of the rocket or spacecraft.
Upper stages of rockets, particularly those which launch satellites will often be left in orbit when spent resulting in an increase of space junk and should this stage fail resulting in an explosion there will be a large increase in space debris making manned spaceflight more dangerous and spaceflight in general more costly and risky. To overcome this, the present invention proposes at least one part of a rocket or spacecraft made of at least one frozen gas in solid form.
When the part of the rocket or spacecraft is spent the sun's rays will melt or evaporate it leaving no part of it to cause a collision, and the resulting gas will orbit the earth helping to slow down the rest of the earth's space junk due to friction so that it can burn up in the earth's atmosphere over many launches.
Preferably, two or more parts of said rocket or spacecraft are made of said frozen gas in solid form.
Preferably, said frozen gas in solid form is carbon dioxide in the form of dry ice.
Preferably, said part or parts of said rocket or spacecraft is made of two or more frozen gases in solid form to form a stronger composite.
Preferably, said part or parts of said rocket or spacecraft are cowling, and or a fairing or fairings, and or a nose cone or nose cones, and or a bolt or bolts, and or a cover or covers, and or a tether or tethers, and or a support or supports, and or a strut or struts.
Preferably, said part of said rocket or spacecraft is at least one fuel or oxidiser tank of at least one stage.
Preferably, said part of said rocket or spacecraft is two or more fuel or oxidiser tanks of at least one or two or more stages.
Preferably, fuel and oxidiser of said stage or stages of said rocket or spacecraft are cryogenic liquids to help with the integrity of said fuel or oxidiser tank or tanks of said stage or stages.
Preferably, said fuel and oxidiser of said stage or stages of said rocket or spacecraft is liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
Preferably, engines of said stage or stages of said rocket or spacecraft are jettisoned or propelled towards the earth so that they will burn up.
Preferably, said carbon dioxide is scurced from the earth's atmosphere or oceans so as not to contribute to global warming.
L
Preferably, cryogenic liquids are used to help keep the integrity of said part or parts of said rocket or spacecraft.
An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawing: -figure 1 shows a side view of the space debris reducer.
At least a part of a rocket or spacecraft such as a stage 1 is constructed out of a frozen gas in solid form 2, or a mixed frozen gas composite in solid form, and includes a rocket engine 3 with a compartment above it 4 which houses a rocket or means to deorbit itself so that it can burn up in the earth's atmosphere when spent. Cryogenic fuel and oxidiser such as liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen or a cryogenic liquid may be used to help with the integrity of the frozen gas in solid form, which may be frozen carbon dioxide, dry ice. The source of the carbon dioxide may be from the atmosphere or the oceans so as not to contribute to global warming.
When the part of the rocket or spacecraft which is made out of frozen gas in solid form is spent it will melt or evaporate in the sun's rays and no longer pose a risk as space debris. The gas will then orbit the earth producing friction to existing space debris which will then be assisted in deorbiting and burning up.
Any part of a rocket or spacecraft which is only required during the earliest stages of its flight could be made out of the frozen gas in solid form as long as the material strength matches the reguirement.
Apart from stages holding fuel cowling, fairings, nose cones, bolts, covers, tethers, supports and struts may all be made of the frozen gas in solid form. This also means that at the end of a satellites life there will be less to burn up and make it through to the earth's surface where it could cause harm. Also, there would be less loss of metal and mineral resources in non-recoverable burn ups of spent satellites.
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>Claims 1 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft made of at least one frozen gas in solid form.</claim-text> <claim-text>2 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claim 1, wherein two or more parts of said rocket or spacecraft are made of said frozen gas in solid form.</claim-text> <claim-text>3 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said frozen gas in solid form is carbon dioxide in tho form of dry icc.</claim-text> <claim-text>4 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said part or parts of said rocket or spacecraft is made of two or more frozen gases in solid form to form a stronger composite.</claim-text> <claim-text>At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claim 4, wherein said part or parts of said rocket or spacecraft are cowling, and or a fairing or fairings, and or a nose cone or nose cones, and or a boit or bolts, and or a cover or covers, and or a tether or tethers, and or a support or supports, and or a strut or struts.</claim-text> <claim-text>6 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said part of said rocket or spacecraft is at least one fuel or oxidiser tank of at least one stage.</claim-text> <claim-text>7 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claim 6, wherein said part of said rocket or spacecraft is two or more fuel or oxidiser tanks of at least one or two or more stages.</claim-text> <claim-text>8 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claim 7, wherein fuel and oxidiser of said stage or stages of said rocket or spacecraft are cryogenic liquids to help with the integrity of said fuel or oxidiser tank or tanks of said stage or stages.</claim-text> <claim-text>9 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claim 8, wherein said fuel and oxidiser of said stage or stages of said rocket or spacecraft is liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.</claim-text> <claim-text>At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claims 6, 7, 8 and 9, wherein engines of said stage or stages of said rocket or spacecraft are jettisoned or propelled towards the earth so that they will burn up.</claim-text> <claim-text>11 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to claims 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, wherein said carbon dioxide is sourced from the earth's atmosphere or oceans so as not to contribute to global warming.</claim-text> <claim-text>12 At least one part of a rocket or spacecraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein cryogenic liquids are used to help keep the integrity of said part or parts of said rocket or spacecraft.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS1 At least one part of a spacecraft, said part only required during the earliest stages of said parts flight, comprising at least one frozen gas in solid form.2 At least one part of a spacecraft according to claim 1, wherein said part is part of a rocket.3 At least one part of a spacecraft according to claim 2, wherein two or more parts are made of said frozen gas in solid form.4 At least one part of a spacecraft according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said frozen gas in solid form is carbon dioxide.At least one part of a spacecraft according to any of claims 2,3,and 4, wherein said part or parts are made of two or more frozen gases in solid form to form a stronger composite. 6 At least one part of a spacecraft according to claim 5, wherein said part or parts are cowling, and or a fairing or fairings, and or a nose cone or nose cones, and or a bolt or bolts, and or a cover or covers, and or a tether or tethers, and or a support or supports, and or a strut or struts.7 At least one part of a spacecraft according to any of claims 2,3,4,5 r and 6, wherein said part is at least one fuel or oxidiser tank of at least one stage.8 At least one part of a spacecraft according to claim 7, wherein said part is two or more fuel or oxidiser tanks of at least one or two or more stages.</claim-text>
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1115547.0A GB201115547D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-09-08 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117285.5A GB201117285D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-07 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117371.3A GB201117371D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-10 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117376.2A GB201117376D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-10 | Space debris reducer |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201212195D0 GB201212195D0 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
| GB2494501A true GB2494501A (en) | 2013-03-13 |
| GB2494501B GB2494501B (en) | 2013-11-13 |
Family
ID=44908273
Family Applications (5)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1115547.0A Ceased GB201115547D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-09-08 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117285.5A Ceased GB201117285D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-07 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117376.2A Ceased GB201117376D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-10 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117371.3A Ceased GB201117371D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-10 | Space debris reducer |
| GB1212195.0A Active GB2494501B (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2012-07-09 | Spacecraft build material |
Family Applications Before (4)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1115547.0A Ceased GB201115547D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-09-08 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117285.5A Ceased GB201117285D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-07 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117376.2A Ceased GB201117376D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-10 | Space debris reducer |
| GBGB1117371.3A Ceased GB201117371D0 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2011-10-10 | Space debris reducer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (5) | GB201115547D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104276292A (en) * | 2014-10-20 | 2015-01-14 | 北京宇航系统工程研究所 | Fairing wind shield with rainproof function |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3416750A (en) * | 1965-10-20 | 1968-12-17 | Everett C. Young | Apparatus with multiple purpose components for enabling the service-ability and maneuverability of a craft |
| US4829784A (en) * | 1987-04-30 | 1989-05-16 | Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung | Method and system for storing inert gas for electric impulse space drives |
| WO2003025344A1 (en) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-03-27 | Gregory Orme | Construction methods in space |
-
2011
- 2011-09-08 GB GBGB1115547.0A patent/GB201115547D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-10-07 GB GBGB1117285.5A patent/GB201117285D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-10-10 GB GBGB1117376.2A patent/GB201117376D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2011-10-10 GB GBGB1117371.3A patent/GB201117371D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2012
- 2012-07-09 GB GB1212195.0A patent/GB2494501B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3416750A (en) * | 1965-10-20 | 1968-12-17 | Everett C. Young | Apparatus with multiple purpose components for enabling the service-ability and maneuverability of a craft |
| US4829784A (en) * | 1987-04-30 | 1989-05-16 | Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft Mit Beschraenkter Haftung | Method and system for storing inert gas for electric impulse space drives |
| WO2003025344A1 (en) * | 2001-09-20 | 2003-03-27 | Gregory Orme | Construction methods in space |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| J Vos Post, " Hydrogen Ice Spacecraft for Robotic Interstellar Flight " * |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104276292A (en) * | 2014-10-20 | 2015-01-14 | 北京宇航系统工程研究所 | Fairing wind shield with rainproof function |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201117376D0 (en) | 2011-11-23 |
| GB2494501B (en) | 2013-11-13 |
| GB201212195D0 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
| GB201117285D0 (en) | 2011-11-16 |
| GB201115547D0 (en) | 2011-10-26 |
| GB201117371D0 (en) | 2011-11-23 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Harland et al. | Space systems failures: disasters and rescues of satellites, rocket and space probes | |
| US9139311B2 (en) | Reusable global launcher | |
| Schmierer et al. | Low cost small-satellite access to space using hybrid rocket propulsion | |
| US9745063B2 (en) | Airborne rocket launch system | |
| Tadini et al. | Active debris multi-removal mission concept based on hybrid propulsion | |
| CN1978279A (en) | Efficient flying boat and missile with tail-wing-skirt self-stabilizing return capsule | |
| EP2602465B1 (en) | Methods and systems for propelling an externally feeded vehicle | |
| Faenza et al. | Getting ready for space: Nammo’s development of a 30 kN hybrid rocket based technology demonstrator | |
| Leverone et al. | Performance sensitivity study on a blowdown nitrous oxide paraffin wax hybrid sounding rocket | |
| GB2494501A (en) | Spacecraft build material | |
| RU2532321C2 (en) | Light-class single-stage carrier rocket | |
| Nonaka et al. | System design and technical demonstrations for reusable sounding rocket | |
| Shimada et al. | Study of low-cost 100kg-satellite launcher using hybrid rocket engines | |
| Stappert et al. | Options for Future European Reusable Booster Stages: Evaluation and Comparison of VTHL and VTVL Return Methods | |
| Sivolella | Boosting the Booster | |
| Tadini et al. | Active debris removal space mission concepts based on hybrid propulsion | |
| RU2673215C1 (en) | Method of operation of a manned orbital station | |
| Tadini et al. | Multi-active removal of large abandoned rocket bodies by hybrid propulsion module | |
| Stężycki et al. | Development of the Liquid Green Propellants at the Lukasiewicz-Institute of Aviation | |
| Gloyer et al. | Ace: Practical SSTO | |
| Anselmo et al. | Active debris removal space mission concepts based on hybrid propulsion | |
| Skoog | Swedish Sounding Rocket Projects | |
| Surmacz et al. | Development of a hybrid propulsion system for attitude control and orbit change of small satellites | |
| Baumeister | RL10 Engine Ability to Transition from Atlas to Shuttle Centaur Program | |
| GB2542864A (en) | Propulsion for aerospace applications |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 746 | Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977) |
Effective date: 20150603 |