1. Project LEON – Shoot Stuff Cheaply into Space!
Author: Patrick Brown - Chief Strategic Officer – Project LEON
Email: KL3DB@ARRL.net
Project LEON – (Low Earth Orbit Network)
Shoot Stuff Cheaply into Space!
LEON utilizes a Ram Accelerator;
Rapid Repeatable, On-Demand, Large Quantity, Low-Cost Mission Delivery Solutions:
1) Picosatellites “POP Can Launcher” into Low Earth Orbits
CubeSats, SmallSats, MicroSats, PhoneSats, Kicksats, PocketCubes, NanoSats, PongSats, FunSats,
AMSATs
Provide Sat Programs with practical cost effective launching solutions
Remove space debris to protect the ISS, (International Space Station) and satellites
Repeatable Launch-On-Demand Local Theater requirements for C4ISR missions:
Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance
2) Nanosatellites “MINI-ME Launcher” into Low Earth Orbits
World Wide Wireless Web Network by 2020; Communications/Commerce
Asteroid Mining/Exploration Robotic Tool Packages
Safely position Scientific Satellites; observation, research and monitoring
3) Payloads “MIGHTY-MO Launcher” for Space Missions; Moon, Mars and Space Habitats
Restock-Resupply Space Stations; air, water, food, fuel and materials
Space Habitats/Hotels; designs to deploy 10’ x 40’ Modules
Asteroid Mining/Exploration Robotic Tool Packages
Critical Need
Project LEON consists of Ram Accelerator technology designed for low cost logistics;
 Rapid deployment off-the-shelf leading edge technology
 Satellite Mass Production Techniques; deployment, upgrades, replacements
 Technological applications exponentially increases secure worldwide communications
World Wide Wireless Web; real time communications for Everyone-Everywhere-All Times
Advantages
 Magnitude cost reductions per launch compared to current applications
 Rapid repeatable Launch-On-Demand capabilities; daily and/or hourly
 NO toxic chemical atmospheric pollution from transatmospheric rocket combustion
 Imparts secure real time digital bulk broadband traffic flow
 Coordinates geographically challenged locations with reliable services
 Capital cost logistics for complex traditional terrestrial nets are negated
Disruptive Technologies
Historically, the cycles of inexpensive communications, cheap energy and efficient transportation always
paved the way for increasing the quality of life via commerce by disruptive technologies.

2. Initiative and Development
The Ram Accelerator, invented in 1983 at the University of Washington, is a novel mass driver consisting
of a long straight tube filled with combustible gaseous mixtures such as hydrogen and oxygen. Upon ignition, an
aeroshell “surfs the combustion wave” with sufficient velocity to exit the atmosphere. At velocities of ~3km/sec to
8km/sec, (1.86 - 4.97 miles per second / 6696 – 17,892 miles per hour), payloads are deployed into Low Earth
Orbit Networks within minutes.
Increasing tube size yields proportionate payload and fuel. In gun type devices the energy source is
concentrated at the breech while the Ram Accelerator’s distinguishing characteristic is its energy source, always
released at the base of the projectile, is uniformly distributed throughout the entire length of the launch tube
resulting in minimal barrel erosion, muzzle blast and recoil.
Small payloads pose no threat to people or facilities upon reentry. The G forces are well within the
tolerances of off-the-shelf technology. Minimal propellant is carried aboard the projectile. Small reaction control
systems on payloads insert the satellites into their desired orbits.
Cost reduction by a full magnitude is now achieved for “shooting stuff into space” as compared to current
rocket motor technologies. The Ram Accelerator does not require the traditional 90% weight factor from carrying
fuel along to burn and reach orbits as in other systems. A key consideration is no toxic chemical pollution release
in our upper atmosphere and the FAA has given tentative approval to launch. As an Extra Class Amateur Radio
Operator, I am authorized and qualified to launch satellites.
Cost-per-mission actually decreases as payload launching quantities increase since the Ram Accelerator
Tube is reusable. The refresh firing rate between payloads launching is measured in minutes as required to fulfill
launch-on-demand and may also be truck transportable for non-permanent set up in remote locations as Alaska.
Principle research conducted at the UW utilized a 38mm x 16 m launcher. Proof-of-principle has also been
demonstrated with a 25-mm-bore and a rectangular 15 x 20-mm-bore ram accelerator in Japan. A 90-mm-bore
ram accelerator was demonstrated at the Institut Franco-Allemand de Rescherches de St. Louis (ISL) in France.
The largest scale up potential has been demonstrated by a 120-mm-bore ram accelerator at the U.S. Army
Research Laboratory (ARL) in Aberdeen MD.
Critical Comparative Initiatives vs. Project LEON’s Impact
Commercial quests since the 1990’s for Low Earth Orbit constellations include Teledesic, Orbcomm,
Globalstar, ICO Global Communications, and Iridium, (initial goal of 77 satellites, ~$40 Billion USD). Bankruptcies
followed as network schemes, satellite quantities, launch cost burdens and high cost-for-services failed projected
revenues. Iridium, most prolific, reduced to 66 satellites making it incapable to minimize transmission power for
up/down links, increase real time broadband transmission demands and provide inexpensive consumer pricing.
Payloads no longer have service opportunity, such as the Hubble Telescope. The retirement of the Space Shuttle
Program allows access to the ISS, (International Space Station), by the courtesy of Russia, which may end in
2020. Additional privately funded and launched systems as the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft provide a real manned
solution for the USA in the future. Since 3% of Space missions are manned; astronauts and mission specialists,
then Project LEON is the 97% solution for “stuff”!

3. Space Debris Populations seen from outside GEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbit)
Note the two primary debris fields:
• Ring of objects in GEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbit)
• Cloud of objects in LEO (Low Earth Orbit)
Representation of Space Debris
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Global coverage potential of a Low Earth Orbit Network (LEON)

4. Ram Accelerator Research Lab UW Seattle
Attribution: University of Washington
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Ram Accelerator Aeroshell Projectiles
Attribution: University of Washington

5. Ram Accelerator with Initial Launcher
Attribution: University of Washington
Project LEON – Space Launch with Boost to Orbit
Attribution: University of Washington

6. Ram Accelerator with Initial Launcher
Attribution: University of Washington
Project LEON – Space Launch with Boost to Orbit
Attribution: University of Washington