Kinetic energy storage and transfer (kest) space launch system

Abstract

A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend.

1 . A space vehicle, comprising:
 a tether comprising a catching mechanism, wherein   the catching mechanism is configured to engage with a suitable corresponding mechanism on a target vehicle such that the catching mechanism, via the tether, is configured to impart momentum to the target vehicle after the target vehicle contacts the catching mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The space vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the tether precedes in front of the space vehicle relative to a direction of motion of the space vehicle when engaging with the target vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The space vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the catching mechanism comprises a ring or a hook. 
     
     
         4 . The space vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the catching mechanism is located on a front end of the tether relative to the space vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The space vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein contact by the catching mechanism with the target vehicle begins to apply a force that slows a front end of the tether. 
     
     
         6 . The space vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein a force slowing the tether accelerates the target vehicle until the target vehicle is traveling at a same velocity as the front end of the tether. 
     
     
         7 . The space vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein the tether folds over itself as the front end of the tether begins to travel slower than a back end of the tether. 
     
     
         8 . The space vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein the space vehicle is configured to provide the tether with sufficient momentum such that the target vehicle reaches orbital velocity by a time a bend forming in the tether reaches a back end of the tether at the space vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The space vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein the catching mechanism is slowed and the target vehicle is accelerated as momentum is incrementally transferred from the space vehicle to the target vehicle as subsequent sections of the tether are slowed. 
     
     
         10 . The space vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 active electronic control that uses GPS, radar, or other sensors to determine a relative position and trajectory of the space vehicle and the target vehicle.   
     
     
         11 . The space vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a guidance system configured to adjust a trajectory of the space vehicle using an attitude control system, wherein   the active guidance system is configured to establish a communication link between the space vehicle and the target vehicle to coordinate maneuvers.   
     
     
         12 . A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle, comprising:
 a tether comprising a catching mechanism positioned on a front of the tether, wherein   a back of the tether is operably connected to the KEST vehicle, and   the catching mechanism is configured to engage with a suitable corresponding mechanism on a target vehicle such that the catching mechanism, via the tether, is configured to impart momentum to the target vehicle after the target vehicle contacts the catching mechanism.   
     
     
         13 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the tether precedes in front of the space vehicle relative to a direction of motion of the space vehicle when engaging with the target vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the catching mechanism comprises a ring or a hook. 
     
     
         15 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein contact by the catching mechanism with the target vehicle begins to apply a force that slows a front end of the tether. 
     
     
         16 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein a force slowing the tether accelerates the target vehicle until the target vehicle is traveling at a same velocity as the front end of the tether. 
     
     
         17 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the tether folds over itself as the front end of the tether begins to travel slower than a back end of the tether. 
     
     
         18 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the KEST vehicle is configured to provide the tether with sufficient momentum such that the target vehicle reaches orbital velocity by a time a bend forming in the tether reaches a back end of the tether at the KEST vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the catching mechanism is slowed and the target vehicle is accelerated as momentum is incrementally transferred from the KEST vehicle to the target vehicle as subsequent sections of the tether are slowed. 
     
     
         20 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 active electronic control that uses GPS, radar, or other sensors to determine a relative position and trajectory of the KEST vehicle and the target vehicle.   
     
     
         21 . The KEST vehicle of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a guidance system configured to adjust a trajectory of the KEST vehicle using an attitude control system, wherein   the active guidance system is configured to establish a communication link between the KEST vehicle and the target vehicle to coordinate maneuvers.   
     
     
         22 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a tether comprising a catching mechanism located on a front end of the tether relative to the apparatus, wherein   the tether precedes in front of the apparatus relative to a direction of motion of the apparatus when engaging with a target vehicle, and   the catching mechanism is configured to engage with a suitable corresponding mechanism on the target vehicle such that the catching mechanism, via the tether, is configured to impart momentum to the target vehicle after the target vehicle contacts the catching mechanism.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the catching mechanism comprises a ring or a hook. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein contact by the catching mechanism with the target vehicle begins to apply a force that slows a front end of the tether. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein a force slowing the tether accelerates the target vehicle until the target vehicle is traveling at a same velocity as the front end of the tether. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the tether folds over itself as the front end of the tether begins to travel slower than a back end of the tether. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the tether with sufficient momentum such that the target vehicle reaches orbital velocity by a time a bend forming in the tether reaches a back end of the tether at the apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the catching mechanism is slowed and the target vehicle is accelerated as momentum is incrementally transferred from the apparatus to the target vehicle as subsequent sections of the tether are slowed.