Other

Jacob Brian Lopata

Michel Roger Kamel

Joseph Roger Herdy, Jr

A low cost, on demand, dedicated launch system is provided for placing micro satellites or space-based instruments at orbital and sub-orbital altitudes and velocities. The invention describes a space launch vehicle (SLV) that incorporates a single, integrated guidance, navigation, and control unit (GNCU) that performs all guidance and control for the SLV from main stage ignition to orbital insertion. The GNCU can remain with the payload after orbital insertion to provide satellite station keeping and orbital maneuvering capability. The use of a single integrated avionics unit for all guidance, navigation, and control simplifies the SLV, reducing weight and significantly reducing cost. In addition, this architecture allows for a combined launch and satellite bus system as the GNCU can also be used as a satellite bus. This further reduces cost and increases the payload capacity to orbit by optimizing the use of launch vehicle and satellite bus subsystems and reducing non-instrument mass delivered to orbit. All support functions are provided by the IDMV. This approach represents a significant improvement over conventional systems, especially with respect to the orbital launch of payloads less than about 100 kg.

System for the delivery and orbital maintenance of micro satellites and small space-based instruments

A rocket engine having a combustion chamber with a chamber inner wall, a throat with a throat inner wall, and a nozzle with a nozzle inner wall is provided. The chamber inner wall is a vacuum plasma sprayed metal, the throat inner wall is a vacuum plasma sprayed metal, and the nozzle inner wall is a vacuum plasma sprayed metal. The porosity of the vacuum plasma sprayed metal varies in an axial direction of the engine.

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Skokie, IL, United States of America

Jacob Brian Lopata