The only customer is one who already has an asset on orbit providing some critical function, and that asset is lost. The customer needs to rapidly deploy new orbital assets that provide at least some of the lost function. (Rapid might mean 48 to 72 hours.)
A case could be made that a ready-to-fly constellation of small satellites, stored at an undisclosed location and air-launched on Pegasus-like solid rockets, maybe 3 at a time by Stratolaunch, could meet that need.
That customer would need to be willing to pay a high price to establish and maintain the capability, not to mention the price of using it.
Such a capability could be attractive to DOD and/or intelligence agencies. 🤔
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Such capability has been discussed on the forum before, I'm sure.
The only customer is one who already has an asset on orbit providing some critical function, and that asset is lost. The customer needs to rapidly deploy new orbital assets that provide at least some of the lost function. (Rapid might mean 48 to 72 hours.)
A case could be made that a ready-to-fly constellation of small satellites, stored at an undisclosed location and air-launched on Pegasus-like solid rockets, maybe 3 at a time by Stratolaunch, could meet that need.
That customer would need to be willing to pay a high price to establish and maintain the capability, not to mention the price of using it.
How does air-launch in particular help that capacity? Other than the case of "the adversary knocks out the launch site, too." I guess if the launch site happens to have multiple days of bad weather?
How does air-launch in particular help that capacity? Other than the case of "the adversary knocks out the launch site, too." I guess if the launch site happens to have multiple days of bad weather?
Right. There are many 4 km runways in the United States. Preposition 3 rapid launch spacecraft at two different ones for "fault tolerance."
I want to pitch an idea to upper management to develop a new Pegasus rocket that can be built cheaper, simpler and lighter so it can be launched from a B-52. The L1011 I work on, is not going to be around for much longer, maybe 2030, and I believe that the Space force and Air force could use an air launched TacRL type, orbit versatile, time sensitive military launch capability. I think there are different chemical blends of propellant that might be cheaper, lighter, more performance to use, and maybe making the first, second stage longer (50XL) and if needed a HAPS for third stage. The wing could be removed and 3 fins removed and use thrust vectoring nozzle. The Pegasus Standard size was launched off a B-52 6 times, so there is experience with doing it. I am an airplane guy with minimal rocket knowledge. I have spoke to some of our engineers about this, but it seems it is always a cost issue and risk analysis business case. I am reaching out to some of the experts that are out there that know way more than I do, to help me a little with the possibilities. We have 1 more Pegasus to launch, and already alot of modifications being done. This little rocket has already morphed into so many other programs, ie, targets and MDA interceptors, I think it can be greatly improved upon. Thanks for any input.
Is there a specific preference for B-52 compatibility here, or simply the fact that a qualified version did fly on that platform already so qualifies as legacy? Note that it flew on I think the NASA Balls-8 NB-52B (maybe it's successor B-52H? Is that called a NB-52H?), and appears to need the test launch modified B-52 variant with the wing flap notch to accommodate the Pegasus's tail, so a standard B-52 will need additional modifications. Is the successor B-52 still available for semi-commercial reimbursed ops even?
Otherwise the simplest solution is to subcontract to Stratolaunch and launch the current Pegasus from the Roc and retire the L1011. It's likely the easiest new platform to qualify for drop release. The Roc also can handle any newer modifications that increase weight, as I think there were promotional concepts for flying three Pegasi from the center mount.
Why not just modify a 747, as done by Virgin Orbit? Pegasus XL weighs less than LauncherOne. As a one-of-a-kind aircraft that only flies from one airport, Roc isn't a great choice for responsive launch. And the fact that Stratolaunch bought a Cosmic Girl to use for launching Talon seems to indicate that Roc isn't the most economical choice.
Land based facilities can't reach every orbit due to their location. Some orbits require quite high performance penalty especially equatorial if not launching from equator.
With airlaunch the plane can fly to optimum launch position for given orbit, maximizing LV performance. This was LauncherOnes selling point.
VO failed because of poor financial management, not because airlaunch was bad idea. They demonstrated it worked successfully on few occasions.
ROC has runway/airport limitations and too big, not efficient. Strato's 747 wouldn't work because of the rudder on Pegasus, but if aft skirt redesigned for a smaller rudder or no rudder might work. Wing on Pegasus also is too wide and doesn't leave much gap between #2 engine and fuselage. When ICON mission had issues with the rudder position pot, some people were saying the rudder doesn't do much anyway. I propose using the B-52 and giving USAF/SF a TacRL smallsat launch capability.
The engine performance, and new pylon to carry more weight could be able to carry 52K, I really don't know what the max is for that area.