Abstract: A reentry vehicle includes a nose section, a modular section comprised of two or more connected modules, a flared section. The nose section is connected to a first end of the modular section, and the flared section is positioned proximate a second end of the modular cylindrical section.

Abstract: A space cargo delivery apparatus and method has a flexible beam member, an end base, and stabilizing thrusters spaced along the length of the beam member for stabilizing and guiding the beam member. The end base is positioned at the distal end of the beam member. The beam member is inflatable so that it can support a compression load. The apparatus further has a retractor, which is connected to a proximal end of the beam member for storing the beam member in a deflated state and for controlling the amount of the beam member extending from the retractor in an inflated state. Alternatively, instead of the stabilizing thrusters, the delivery apparatus can use flexible beam members and a corresponding number of retractors to store the beam members and to control the lengths thereof extending from the retractors so that the end base can move in a relatively straight line.

Abstract: An underway replenishment system is used to deliver payloads and supplies to an orbiting receiving space vehicle. This system combines the advantages of the maneuverability of a delivering space vehicle with the large payload capacity of expendable launch vehicles to minimize payload delivery cost. Large payloads are launched into low orbit with expendable launch vehicles. A delivering space vehicle rendezvous with the independently launched payloads and assembles them into a payload stack. The receiving space vehicle located at a higher orbit deploys a tether towards the orbital path of the delivering space vehicle located at a lower orbit, and the tether is used to capture and retrieve the payload from the delivering space vehicle to the receiving space vehicle.

Abstract: An underway replenishment system is used to deliver payloads and supplies to an orbiting receiving space vehicle. This system combines the advantages of the maneuverability of a delivering space vehicle with the large payload capacity of expendable launch vehicles to minimize payload delivery cost. Large payloads are launched into low orbit with expendable launch vehicles. A delivering space vehicle rendezvous with the independently launched payloads and assembles them into a payload stack. The receiving space vehicle located at a higher orbit deploys a tether towards the orbital path of the delivering space vehicle located at a lower orbit, and the tether is used to capture and retrieve the payload from the delivering space vehicle to the receiving space vehicle.