Economical Access to Space, Year 1
Status: Completed
Start Date: 2011-10-01
End Date: 2012-09-30
Description: The purpose of the project is to investigate air-launching a rocket booster from the bottom of a purpose-built, remotely-piloted, high-L/D glider. A towed glider behind a transport aircraft has the potential to enable much greater launch vehicle masses than a conventional carrying approach, or a directly towed approach.
Lead Organization: Armstrong Flight Research Center