	US 12,227,314 B2
	Multiple space vehicle launch system
Richard W. Aston, Brea, CA (US); Anna M. Tomzynska, Seal Beach, CA (US); and Glenn N. Caplin, Manhattan Beach, CA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/570,677.
Application 17/570,677 is a continuation of application No. 15/920,284, filed on Mar. 13, 2018, granted, now 11,286,066.
Application 15/920,284 is a continuation of application No. 14/925,152, filed on Oct. 28, 2015, granted, now 9,957,068, issued on May 1, 2018.
Application 14/925,152 is a continuation of application No. 14/486,103, filed on Sep. 15, 2014, granted, now 9,394,065, issued on Jul. 19, 2016.
Application 14/486,103 is a continuation of application No. 13/604,050, filed on Sep. 5, 2012, granted, now 8,915,472, issued on Dec. 23, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/646,222, filed on May 11, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0127022 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B64G 1/64 (2006.01); B64G 1/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01)

CPC B64G 1/641 (2013.01) [B64G 1/002 (2013.01); B64G 1/40 (2013.01); B64G 1/405 (2013.01); B64G 1/645 (2013.01)]

29 Claims

1. A space vehicle system, comprising:

a first space vehicle including a first core structure with a first wall thickness;

a second space vehicle including:

a second core structure with a second wall thickness, the second core structure releasably attached to the first space vehicle in a stacked configuration, the second wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness such that a launch load of the first space vehicle is transferred to the second space vehicle;

a tank to store propellant for a propulsion unit; and

a shear load panel coupled to and at least partially surrounding the second core structure, the shear load panel extending along a longitudinal axis of the second space vehicle, wherein the tank extends past an end of the shear load panel along the longitudinal axis, the shear load panel to support a solar array.