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