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Launching at a higher altitude allows the rocket engines to be optimized for low atmospheric pressure increasing their efficiency. In addition, the trajectory c
by johno215 15y ago
Launching at a higher altitude allows the rocket engines to be optimized for low atmospheric pressure increasing their efficiency. In addition, the trajectory can be turned to a more horizontal angle earlier without having to fight drag too much.
Another benefit of air launch is the ability to launch at a location and time of one's choosing. This is useful to avoid weather, avoid flying over land when launching in certain directions, and not having to share a range with other launchers.
- johno215 15y agoA negative is that it is a lot harder to check-out the vehicle when it is attached to an airplane than when it is on the ground. Also, on the ground the successful start-up of all the engines can be verified before the vehicle is released. If one engine fails to start, the rest can be shutdown with the vehicle still intact on the ground. But, when an air-launching, there is no going back once the vehicle is dropped.
- sukuriant 15y agoPerhaps you can start the engines before dropping? If only a second or so before? Or is the force that instantaneous, that strong?
- FrojoS 15y agoInteresting, can you recommend further reading for the rocket engine optimization? It seems though, that in this case, SpaceX's Merlin Engine will be used.
- johno215 15y agohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine_nozzle#Atmospheric_use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine_nozzle#Atmospheri...