Our solution blends a Jules Verne/Robert Heinlein concept of gun launch to space with 21st century hydrogen gas gun technology.
1Quicklauncher has the agility to service all depots in LEO. Ocean based systems located near the equator can service depots at any altitude and inclination. They will be between 400 meters and 1,100 meters long. Payloads will vary from 100 lb to 1,000 lbs or more. We anticipate first building a number of 100 lb payload launchers designated QL-100. Each QL-100 is a $50M system delivering up to 10 launches/day.
2The larger QL-1000 systems will be built after the smaller QL-100 versions have proven high reliability. Each QL-1000 is a $500M system delivering up to 5 launches/day. After servicing one customer they can switch azimuth and launch angle to accommodate a different customer. At T=0 the vehicle leaves the muzzle and the four sabot petals are stripped away. Meanwhile the muffler closes behind the vehicle capturing 99% of the hydrogen to be recycled.
3At T=1 minute and 100 km altitude the aeroshell separates from the vehicle and the vehicle coasts for several minutes depending on the altitude of the propellant depot.
4At T=6 minutes and 450 km altitude the rocket stage ignites and performs a burn as it approaches the rendezvous with the propellant depot. The two tanks contain fuel and oxidizer for the rocket motor. Depending on the customer, one of the tanks will contain additional propellant to be off-loaded at the depot.
5As the vehicle approaches the depot, the main engine shuts off. The Attitude Control System (ACS) then takes over.
6At T=9 minutes final maneuvering is performed until the vehicle docks with the depot. At that point a line is opened allowing the propellant to communicate with the rest of the depot. Propellant types will include both storable and cryogenics. Standard propellants are RP-1, LH2 and LOX. In addition Xenon, Argon and water can be delivered.
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