Repurposed Carrier as Mobile Rocket Launch Platform

In my previous article, I proposed that an old decommissioned aircraft carrier could be repurposed as a mobile rocket launch platform. To make this platform viable, it would require heavy modification.

Placing a launch tower directly on the upper deck would make the ship very unstable. Instead, I propose removing a section of the upper deck and the decks below it, allowing the launch platform's base to sit close to the keel. The main benefit is lowering the center of gravity of both the tower and the rocket to ensure stability at sea. An additional benefit is that during launch, steam trapped inside the deep cavity could provide a slight "gas piston" effect, assisting the rocket's lift-off.

Ideally, the ship's propulsion should be converted from conventional propellers to waterjets. The thrust vectoring capabilities of waterjets would keep the ship stable with rapid response times. Such large ships do not allow large stabilizer fins or other mechanical designs, which also induce significant hydrodynamic drag.

I propose utilizing a hydrolox-powered rocket. A nuclear-powered carrier platform would then produce the required liquid hydrogen and oxygen via ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization). Perfecting this technology on Earth is a critical initial step, as developing this capability is also essential for deep-space missions where ISRU propellant production will be vital.

This platform is ideal for recoverable rockets, significantly reducing the need for continuous resupply of rocket stages after each mission. The vast interior of the carrier provides ample room for inspecting and refurbishing the rocket stages before their next launch.

Finally, the main goal of moving to a mobile launch platform is to launch the rocket from the optimal location to increase payload capacity. Equatorial orbital payloads can be launched directly from the equator, while Sun-synchronous payloads can be launched close to the poles. This location flexibility also increases launch window flexibility; the platform can actively avoid air corridors or bad weather and launch the rocket at a predefined date.