A pogo effect corrector system for a feed system for feeding a rocket engine with liquid propellant, the corrector system comprising: a feed pipe part for feeding liquid propellant that is configured to be connected both upstream and downstream to a liquid propellant feed pipe of the feed system; and a hydraulic accumulator comprising a tank connected to the feed pipe part via at least one communication orifice; the corrector system being characterized in that: at least a portion of the feed pipe part is at least partly surrounded by the inner volume of the tank; with each cross-section of said portion relative to its central axis being at least partly surrounded by the corresponding cross-section of the inner volume of the tank, in such a manner that the corresponding cross-section of the inner volume of the tank is off-center relative to said cross-section of said portion.

The present disclosure relates to a launch system, a launch vehicle for use with the launch system, and methods of launching a payload utilizing the launch vehicle and/or the launch system. The disclosure can provide for delivery of the payload at a terrestrial location, an Earth orbital location, or an extraorbital location. The launch vehicle can comprise a payload, a propellant tank, an electrical heater wherein propellant, such as a light gas (e.g., hydrogen) is electrically heated to significantly high temperatures, an exhaust nozzle from which the heated propellant expands to provide an exhaust velocity of, for example, 7-16 km/sec, and sliding electrical contacts in electrical connection with the electrical heater. The launch vehicle can be utilized with the launch system, which can further comprise a launch tube formed of concentric electrically conductive tubes, as well as an electrical energy source, such as a battery bank and associated inductor.

A vortex prevention apparatus prevents a vortex from being generated at an outlet provided in the tank member and minimizes the change in the flow rate of the fluid being discharged through the outlet when a fluid filled in a tank member such as an insulation tank is being discharged, To this end, the vortex prevention apparatus is integrally coupled to a lower cover, having at least one outlet through which the fluid filled in the insulation tank is discharged, of a lower cap of the insulation tank, and includes a prevention body having a cone shape centered on an apex portion; spacing members extending vertically and horizontally from the prevention body; and mesh hole portions formed passing through the edges of the prevention body by the spacing members.

A roll control thruster controls the attitude of a launch vehicle by using the oxidizer filled in an oxidizer tank, and includes: a thruster tank that is charged using a portion of the oxidizer stored in the oxidizer tank; a thruster line that is branched from the thruster tank and forms a supply path of the oxidizer stored in the thruster tank; a thruster valve that is provided in the thruster line and opens and closes the thruster line or adjusts the opening degree of the thruster line; a thruster module that is connected to the thruster line and injects the oxidizer, supplied via the thruster line, in order to control the attitude of the launch vehicle; and a thruster control module that controls the operation of the thruster valve and the supply of oxidizer to the thruster module.

The disclosed methods, systems, and kits provide the ability to deliver entire clean sheet designs from concept to first hot fire in under six weeks with instant specific impulses above 330 seconds in some of our engines. In examples, thrusters can be delivered that are at less than half of the mass budget allowable for them and they can be delivered in weeks.

Methods and apparatus to methods and apparatus for performing propulsion operations using electric propulsion system are disclosed. An apparatus includes a space vehicle including means for performing propulsion operations without using a chemical propulsion system.

Method and apparatus for controlling pressure in a pressure vessel. A plurality of valves between a pressure source and a pressure vessel can be selectively opened or turned off, singularly or in combinations, to control pressure in the pressure vessel. A maximum pressure threshold and a minimum pressure threshold can be established based on operating considerations of the pressure vessel. One or more of the valves can be turned on when the pressure in the pressure vessel reaches the minimum pressure threshold. One or more of the valves can be turned off when the pressure in the pressure vessel reaches the maximum pressure threshold.

A gas distribution system for use in an enclosed volume wherein the system includes a distribution duct and a first inflatable duct portion in fluid communication with the distribution duct. The system further includes a passageway defining an opening which extends through the passageway, wherein: the opening is in fluid communication with the first inflatable duct portion; the passageway includes a valve with a flapper positioned within the opening of the passageway; and the flapper is moveable in relationship to the opening by way of a bi-metallic temperature sensing member. The system further includes an inflatable enclosure in fluid communication with the opening of the passageway, wherein the inflatable enclosure is configured to define a volume within and separated from the enclosed volume.

An aerodynamic platform or spacecraft including a habitable 1G centripetal force rotating gravity producing interior corridor within an aerodynamic shell and an aerodynamic drone booster launch system with reentry and reuse capability.

Herein is disclosed a tool, system and method for refueling on-orbit spacecraft. The tool and system are configured to allow for resupply of spacecraft configured to be propelled by either a bipropellant (oxidizer and fuel) or a monopropellant (typically hydrazine). The refueling tool is particularly suited for resupply of satellites not originally prepared for refueling but the system may also be used for satellites specifically designed for refueling.