One variation of a tram system includes: a chassis; a latch configured to selectively engage a latch receiver mounted to an aircraft; an alignment feature adjacent the latch and configured to engage an alignment receiver mounted to the aircraft and to communicate acceleration and braking forces from the chassis into the aircraft; an optical sensor facing upwardly from the chassis; a drivetrain configured to accelerate and decelerate the chassis along a runway; and a controller configured to detect an optical fiducial arranged on the aircraft in optical images recorded by the optical sensor adjust a speed of the drivetrain to longitudinally align the alignment feature with the alignment receiver based on positions of the optical fiducial detected in the optical images, trigger the latch to engage the latch receiver once the aircraft has descended onto the chassis, and trigger the drivetrain to actively decelerate the chassis during a landing routine.

An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.

An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.

Various embodiments of space launch vehicle systems and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems include a reusable, horizontal takeoff/horizontal landing (HTHL), ground-assisted single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane that is capable of providing frequent deliveries of people and/or cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In some embodiments, the spaceplane can takeoff with the aid of a rocket-powered sled that, in addition to providing additional thrust for takeoff, can also provide propellant for the spaceplane engines during the takeoff run so that the spaceplane launches with full propellant tanks.

A method is described to stabilize a reflector in the upper atmosphere to reflect solar irradiance before it can be absorbed or scattered by Earth's atmosphere or surface. Thin reflective sheets are flown under control in the upper atmosphere above Earth, in contrast to reflecting from Space orbits or the ground. The high altitude enables nearly total reflection. This invention uses rotational motion to hold sheets stretched by centrifugal means while enabling the generation of aerodynamic lift. During the daytime solar power is used to store rotational and potential energy. During the night the low disc loading of the rotor system facilitates gliding flight without descending into controlled airspace.

A method is described to stabilize a reflector in the upper atmosphere to reflect solar irradiance before it can be absorbed or scattered by Earth's atmosphere or surface. Thin reflective sheets are flown under control in the upper atmosphere above Earth, in contrast to reflecting from Space orbits or the ground. The high altitude enables nearly total reflection. This invention uses rotational motion to hold sheets stretched by centrifugal means while enabling the generation of aerodynamic lift. During the daytime solar power is used to store rotational and potential energy. During the night the low disc loading of the rotor system facilitates gliding flight without descending into controlled airspace.

A method is described to stabilize a reflector in the upper atmosphere to reflect solar irradiance back into Space before it can be absorbed or scattered by Earth's atmosphere. Thin reflective sheets are flown under control in the upper atmosphere above Earth, in contrast to reflecting from Space orbits or the ground. The high altitude enables nearly total reflection. This embodiment uses buoyant aerostatic lift and pneumatic pressure to support and hold sheets stretched while providing aerostatic lift. During the daytime solar power is used to provide energy for propulsion and gain altitude by volume expansion. During the night the aerostatic lift holds the system above controlled airspace. Edgewise gliding permits seasonal movement of the system and station-keeping. In one example application, a swarm of aerostatically stabilized reflectors placed around the edge of the Antarctic continent will reduce summer melting of ice, in order to reverse the rise in sea level.

A method is described to stabilize a reflector in the upper atmosphere to reflect solar irradiance back into Space before it can be absorbed or scattered by Earth's atmosphere. Thin reflective sheets are flown under control in the upper atmosphere above Earth, in contrast to reflecting from Space orbits or the ground. The high altitude enables nearly total reflection. This embodiment uses buoyant aerostatic lift and pneumatic pressure to support and hold sheets stretched while providing aerostatic lift. During the daytime solar power is used to provide energy for propulsion and gain altitude by volume expansion. During the night the aerostatic lift holds the system above controlled airspace. Edgewise gliding permits seasonal movement of the system and station-keeping. In one example application, a swarm of aerostatically stabilized reflectors placed around the edge of the Antarctic continent will reduce summer melting of ice, in order to reverse the rise in sea level.

An aircraft launching system and method include a first lifting sub-system including a first tether that removably couples to an aircraft, and a second lifting sub-system including a second tether that couples the first lifting sub-system to the second lifting sub-system.

An aircraft launching system and method include a first lifting sub-system including a first tether that removably couples to an aircraft, and a second lifting sub-system including a second tether that couples the first lifting sub-system to the second lifting sub-system.