Thread: MP satellites
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Old 12-06-2020, 12:35 PM
mmartin798 mmartin798 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nduffy View Post
Well, this came up in my feed today,, a drone that launches a rocket that boost satellites into low earth orbits,,, I can see this as an alternative. The satellite comes prepackaged and the launch vehicle is fairly autonomous. You could in theory launch several satellites a day.
https://theaviationist.com/2020/12/0...ht-satellites/
Did a little reading on my break. An interesting concept using a drone as the first stage. I do like the fact they do call the drone the first stage since the rocket can fire very quickly after separation rather than coasting like other airborne launch platforms. The use of Jet-A as fuel for both the drone and the rocket, the rocket also carrying LOX, does simplify things.

If such a system were used by MP, it would likely have to be a specialized base. You need a one-mile runway for takeoff and landing and a supply of Jet-A. LOX can be generated on site. I am imagining a desert location, since making a usable one-mile runway would be pretty simple there.
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