Abstract: A lifting pole assembly configured for removable attachment to a tower comprising a lifting pole, a bottom bracket assembly, a top bracket assembly and vertical tilt means. The lifting pole has a lower end and an upper end. The bottom bracket assembly includes a first end attached to the tower and a second end attached to the lifting pole proximal to the lower end thereof. Similarly, the top bracket assembly includes a first end attached to the tower at a position above the point where the bottom bracket is attached to the tower and a second end attached to the lifting pole at a position above the point where the bottom bracket is attached to the lifting pole. The vertical tilt means enables the lifting pole to pivot in the vertical plane about a point proximal to the connection between the bottom bracket and the lower end of the lifting pole. Horizontal pivot means for enabling the lifting pole to pivot in the horizontal plane relative to the tower may also be provided.

Abstract: A lift vehicle has an elongated support structure affixed to its upper end, with the axis of elongation of the support structure parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis of the lift vehicle. The support structure defines a plurality of attachment planes, each of which includes the axis of elongation, which together divide the region about the axis of elongation into N angular sections or regions, each with an included angle of 360.degree./N. A plurality MN of spacecraft are organized into a plurality of M sets or layers, each containing N spacecraft. Each spacecraft defines first and second lateral support planes, skewed relative to each other, which intersect at a line of intersection, is parallel to the axis of elongation when the spacecraft are mounted to the support structure. Two or more spacecraft are mounted in end-to-end position in each angular portion. Each spacecraft stiffens the support structure, so that the stiffened support structure, can sustain the launch forces.