A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend.


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    Title :

    KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSFER (KEST) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2016-03-31


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS



    KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSFER (KEST) SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM

    HICKMAN ROBERT ALAN | European Patent Office | 2016

    Free access


    Kinetic energy storage and transfer (KEST) space launch system

    HICKMAN ROBERT ALAN | European Patent Office | 2016

    Free access