DARPA proposes to use the jets for an inexpensive output of small satellites into orbit

Engineers DARPA offer use jet aircraft to launch light satellites into low earth orbit. The plane will need to install a two-stage launch vehicle, which is set after the plane a certain height they will be dropped by parachute. At the expense of the engines of the first stage of the capsule with a satellite leaves the atmosphere, and then turn on the second stage, which will lead to the desired satellite orbit. According to the calculations of engineers such start will cost about $ 1 million - about one-third the cost of launching the satellite with ground missiles.

The project is called the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA). Bradford Tusli (one of the leaders DARPA) reported to the Federal Aviation Administration United States on successful completion of the first phase of the program, including the design of satellites for such a start, and announced the start of the second phase. Within its framework signed a contract with Boeing, with the aircraft which will be made test runs.

One of the important advantages ALASA Tusli called its value. Launching of satellites for the US Defense Department is a long process with considerable administrative obstacles caused by the high cost of land start. In the case of adoption of the program ALASA satellite launch may be available for 24 hours after his arrival at the air base jets as they take off for the atmospheric conditions are not critical to the same modification of the aircraft to launch the satellite is not required. The first real test ALASA will be held at the end of 2015.



Source: geektimes.ru/post/245500/