Potential Vessels or Systems for Manned Space Flight

Magnet Sled Propulsion System 1) Retired shuttle sits on a sled with a 3,000 ton neodymium magnet mounted on the front. A powerful electromagnet at the end of the seven mile Teflon track pulls the magnet and sled toward the end. 2) When the shuttle-sled assembly is near the end of the track, the electromagnet switches off. 3) The sled and shuttle continue off the track. The slid falls to Earth to be used again while the shuttle is catapulted into orbit.

(1)

(2)

(3) Electromagnet

Mentos and Coke Shuttle System

1a) Recycled shuttle is connected to the four largest Coca-Cola bottles ever produced. 1b) Inside the cap units of each bottle, the Coke and Mentos are separated by a breakaway layer. 2) At liftoff, dynamite removes the breakaway layer. 3) The Coke and Mentos mix producing a violent and energetic reaction 4) The shuttle assembly is rocketed upward by the intense chemical reaction.

Coke

Mentos

Dynamite

Breakaway Barrier

(1a) (2) (3) (1b)

(4)

Voltron Orbital Delivery System

1) Voltron system is fully assembled and waiting on the launch platform. 2) Voltron system flies for 30 seconds on the primary thrusters. 3) Primary thrusters are jettisoned once empty. The secondary thrusters fire. 4) The side fuel modules release when spent. 5) Remaining fuel is emptied and the personnel module separates from core module.

(1)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(2)