Underwater Spacecraft Launch Buoyancy Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional launch vehicles face inefficiencies due to the mass of propellant tanks and engines, which impairs launch performance and increases logistical costs, as they require significant fuel to achieve orbit.
Innovation Solution
A spacecraft launching system utilizing a rising portion with a positive buoyancy accelerating module and a sinking portion with a negative buoyancy ballast module, allowing for non-fuel mass energy-based acceleration, where the accelerating module imparts thrust force through water displacement, complementing rocket thrust for efficient launch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional rocket stages use propellant to achieve launch velocity, then the spacecraft can be delivered to orbit, but the mass of propellant tanks and engines impairs launch performance and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The launch system is divided into separate functional modules: a buoyancy-based acceleration module for water-based launch and a separate rocket stage for orbital insertion. This segmentation allows the rocket to be lighter since it only needs to provide orbital velocity, not the entire launch velocity, thereby reducing the mass penalty of propellant tanks and engines during the launch phase.
Solution Approach 2:
A water-based buoyancy system acts as an intermediary to provide initial acceleration and launch velocity. The buoyancy force from displaced water provides the thrust needed to launch the spacecraft out of the water and into the atmosphere, reducing the fuel mass required in the rocket stage itself.
2Productivity
If single stage launch vehicles use all propellant required to deliver specified velocity, then the payload can reach orbit, but the mass of unnecessary structures increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The launch system is divided into separate functional modules: a buoyancy-based acceleration module for water-based launch and a separate rocket stage for orbital insertion. This segmentation allows the rocket to be lighter since it only needs to provide orbital velocity, not the entire launch velocity, thereby reducing the mass penalty of propellant tanks and engines during the launch phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy-based acceleration function is extracted from the rocket stage and implemented as a separate water-based system. This extraction allows the rocket stage to be optimized for orbital insertion only, removing the unnecessary mass of large propellant tanks and engines that would be required to provide both launch and orbital velocity in a single stage.
3Productivity
If multistage launch vehicles jettison entire stages after propellant expenditure, then launch efficiency improves, but the system complexity and logistical costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The launch system is divided into separate functional modules: a buoyancy-based acceleration module for water-based launch and a separate rocket stage for orbital insertion. This segmentation allows the rocket to be lighter since it only needs to provide orbital velocity, not the entire launch velocity, thereby reducing the mass penalty of propellant tanks and engines during the launch phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances launch efficiency by reducing the need for propellant mass, lowering logistical costs, and enabling precise orbital insertion with reduced fuel usage, while allowing for larger spacecraft designs and extended lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The accelerating module has a positive buoyancy sufficient to raise the rising portion in a body of water
Implementation Method 2
The ballast module has a negative buoyancy sufficient to pull itself along with the raising portion down in a body of water
Implementation Method 3
The thrust engine may be a rocket, a cannon, an electromagnetic launcher, a rail gun, or any other thrust mechanism known in the art
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus to efficiently launch spacecraft from underwater. Unfortunately, the prior art processes of launching spacecraft from sea either make no use of water buoyancy or waste use rocket fuel to overcome water resistance. As a result, payloads are smaller than are ideal. The instant invention however adds water buoyancy to increase the overall thrust of the spacecraft and therefore makes the spacecraft more efficient than if launched outside of water.