CPC B64G 1/14 (2013.01) [B64G 1/002 (2013.01); B64G 1/402 (2013.01); B64G 1/64 (2013.01); B64G 5/00 (2013.01)] | 24 Claims |
1. A method for loading liquid oxygen into a horizontal takeoff/horizontal landing space vehicle, wherein the space vehicle is mounted to a launch sled having a first oxidizer tank, wherein the space vehicle has a second oxidizer tank, and wherein the method comprises:
cooling the liquid oxygen to a temperature of about −196 degrees C. or less;
flowing the cooled liquid oxygen into the first oxidizer tank on the launch sled;
and
flowing the cooled liquid oxygen from the first oxidizer tank into the second oxidizer tank on the space vehicle, wherein the second oxidizer tank has a non-cylindrical, non-spherical shape with a non-circular cross-sectional shape parallel to a longitudinal axis of the space vehicle and a non-circular cross-sectional shape parallel to a lateral axis of the space vehicle that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the space vehicle.
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