FIELD: non-expendable space systems. SUBSTANCE: transportation of payloads between Earth and orbital stations is effected by means of self- contained flying vehicles: aero-space aircraft and transport aircraft; aerospace aircraft is based on one or more stations and transport aircraft is based on one or several airfields. Transfer of payload between transport aircraft and aero-space aircraft is effected during their joint flight in Earth's atmosphere performing one or more dockings and undockings of transport aircraft and aero-space aircraft. Upon completion of each payload transfer cycle, transport aircraft and aero-space aircraft return to their basing points (initial or new ones). EFFECT: extended capabilities of system; increase of relative mass of payload; progressive evolution of nonexpendable aero-space systems of this type. 4 cl, 1 dwg
Authors
Dates
1998-10-20—Published
1996-10-30—Filed