Stratolaunch will have four kinds of air-launched rockets

Stratolaunch will use four different air-launched rockets.

The updated launch offering from Stratolaunch includes the following vehicles:

Pegasus: With its existing track record of over 35 successful launches, Pegasus provides dependable access to orbit.
Capability: 370 kg payload* for a single or triple configuration
Status: Flight proven, integration and testing ongoing with first flight in 2020

Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV): A new medium-class air-launch vehicle optimized for short satellite integration timelines, affordable launch and flexible launch profiles.
Capability: 3,400 kg payload*
Status: In development with first flight in 2022

Medium Launch Vehicle – Heavy: A three-core MLV variant with capability to deploy heavier payloads to orbit.
Capability: 6,000 kg payload*
Status: Early development

Space Plane: A fully reusable space plane that enables advanced in-orbit capabilities and cargo return. Initial designs optimized for cargo launch, with a follow-on variant capable of transporting crew.
Capability: Medium-class payload or crew
Status: Design study

Stratolaunch will be sharing more on these launch vehicles and on our vision for improved access to before the end of 2018. Visit the newly refreshed website at www.stratolaunch.com to learn more about our vision and career opportunities.

27 thoughts on “Stratolaunch will have four kinds of air-launched rockets”

  1. I’d add in that ground launch is very limited in the locations they can ground launch from. There are all sorts of restrictions on location and time because of down range safety issues. Hence there are few developed launch locations, with associated limited slots. Air launch is far more flexible. Even if you need a very big, and hence rare, runway, you can then fly around to the desired rocket launch location.

  2. There are 3 advantages to launching at 12 km: — The lower air pressure means that the rocket engine can use something close to a vacuum optimized geometry. That likely gives a 4 to 5% gain. — The lower air pressure means that the rocket does not have to throttle back at max Q. A small bonus (less than 1% maybe). — The 12 km height means that the fuel & oxidizer does not have to be lifted against gravity drag. That is likely a 5% or so gain there. And the first stage of the rocket (the most expensive one) is fully reusable, with a fast turn around. These advantages would indeed make it worth while to build these aircraft. Warm regards, Rick.

  3. I just don’t understand how these guys can be competitive with a ground launch. The plane goes maybe 250 m/s, so pretty much nothing compared to the 7800 m/s we need to reach to fall over the horizon, especially when we square the number to get the energy required. At 12 km altitude air pressure is a bit over 20% of sea level, meaning they save a bit on air resistance, but when i crunch the numbers, its no more than 2-4%. Can those few percent really finance the worlds largest plane?

  4. I’d add in that ground launch is very limited in the locations they can ground launch from. There are all sorts of restrictions on location and time because of down range safety issues. Hence there are few developed launch locations with associated limited slots.Air launch is far more flexible. Even if you need a very big and hence rare runway you can then fly around to the desired rocket launch location.

  5. There are 3 advantages to launching at 12 km:– The lower air pressure means that the rocket engine can use something close to a vacuum optimized geometry. That likely gives a 4 to 5{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} gain.– The lower air pressure means that the rocket does not have to throttle back at max Q. A small bonus (less than 1{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} maybe).– The 12 km height means that the fuel & oxidizer does not have to be lifted against gravity drag. That is likely a 5{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} or so gain there.And the first stage of the rocket (the most expensive one) is fully reusable with a fast turn around.These advantages would indeed make it worth while to build these aircraft.Warm regards Rick.

  6. I just don’t understand how these guys can be competitive with a ground launch.The plane goes maybe 250 m/s so pretty much nothing compared to the 7800 m/s we need to reach to fall over the horizon especially when we square the number to get the energy required.At 12 km altitude air pressure is a bit over 20{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12} of sea level meaning they save a bit on air resistance but when i crunch the numbers its no more than 2-4{22800fc54956079738b58e74e4dcd846757aa319aad70fcf90c97a58f3119a12}. Can those few percent really finance the worlds largest plane?

  7. I share your concerns; Rocket launch from an air breathing first stage, and the first stage doesn’t even break the speed of sound??? I understand their business plan also uses the world’s largest plane to carry large cargo when it isn’t launching rockets. That may help.

  8. I share your concerns; Rocket launch from an air breathing first stage and the first stage doesn’t even break the speed of sound???I understand their business plan also uses the world’s largest plane to carry large cargo when it isn’t launching rockets. That may help.

  9. They could launch from a mountain top to get all that. There is a reason why they aren’t. Its not about efficiency but about convenience.

  10. Just another way to burn a hole through public debt, as people have friends in high places who can move accounts. Physics tells us all that extra pounds makes no sense.

  11. They could launch from a mountain top to get all that. There is a reason why they aren’t. Its not about efficiency but about convenience.

  12. Just another way to burn a hole through public debt as people have friends in high places who can move accounts. Physics tells us all that extra pounds makes no sense.

  13. They could launch from a mountain top to get all that. There is a reason why they aren’t. Its not about efficiency but about convenience.

  14. Just another way to burn a hole through public debt, as people have friends in high places who can move accounts. Physics tells us all that extra pounds makes no sense.

  15. I share your concerns; Rocket launch from an air breathing first stage, and the first stage doesn’t even break the speed of sound???

    I understand their business plan also uses the world’s largest plane to carry large cargo when it isn’t launching rockets. That may help.

  16. I’d add in that ground launch is very limited in the locations they can ground launch from. There are all sorts of restrictions on location and time because of down range safety issues. Hence there are few developed launch locations, with associated limited slots.
    Air launch is far more flexible. Even if you need a very big, and hence rare, runway, you can then fly around to the desired rocket launch location.

  17. There are 3 advantages to launching at 12 km:
    — The lower air pressure means that the rocket engine can use something close to a vacuum optimized geometry. That likely gives a 4 to 5% gain.
    — The lower air pressure means that the rocket does not have to throttle back at max Q. A small bonus (less than 1% maybe).
    — The 12 km height means that the fuel & oxidizer does not have to be lifted against gravity drag. That is likely a 5% or so gain there.

    And the first stage of the rocket (the most expensive one) is fully reusable, with a fast turn around.

    These advantages would indeed make it worth while to build these aircraft.

    Warm regards, Rick.

  18. I just don’t understand how these guys can be competitive with a ground launch.

    The plane goes maybe 250 m/s, so pretty much nothing compared to the 7800 m/s we need to reach to fall over the horizon, especially when we square the number to get the energy required.

    At 12 km altitude air pressure is a bit over 20% of sea level, meaning they save a bit on air resistance, but when i crunch the numbers, its no more than 2-4%.

    Can those few percent really finance the worlds largest plane?

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