Virgin Galactic Announces New "Cosmic Girl” Mothership

KamenRiderBlade · by **KamenRiderBlade** » 04 Dec 2015, 02:41

http://gizmodo.com/virgin-galactic-anno ... 1746068379

This could be a interesting solution to getting small satellites into space, any thoughts?

That_Engine_Guy · by **That_Engine_Guy** » 27 Dec 2015, 03:28

Already been done... :doh:

Air Launch to Orbit is nothing new; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_launch_to_orbit

How about RASCAL (Responsive Access, Small Cargo & Affordable Launch) Project using surplus F-106 modified for space flight?
REF: http://www.f-106deltadart.com/rascal_project.htm

Or the DARPA ALASA that was to use F-15E as the launch carrier: DARPA ALASA
REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOaJWoVLhAc

Sadly, both of those projects were cancelled :sad:

Keep 'em flyin' :thumb:

TEG

sferrin · by **sferrin** » 27 Dec 2015, 03:34

RASCAL was eventually supposed to use a custom airframe with 4 F100s with pre-compressor cooling. (See attachment)

sferrin · by **sferrin** » 27 Dec 2015, 03:36

KamenRiderBlade wrote:http://gizmodo.com/virgin-galactic-announces-new-cosmic-girl-mothership-1746068379

This could be a interesting solution to getting small satellites into space, any thoughts?

Given that it doesn't have a wing I wonder if it will be as efficient as the Pegasus XL.

That_Engine_Guy · by **That_Engine_Guy** » 27 Dec 2015, 03:38

In this forum, I find it more interesting the ability to bring DOWN a satellite versus putting one up. :devil:

F-15/ASM-135 ASAT style!

Alas, it was canceled because of technical issues, test delays, and cost overruns.
(Unfortunately for P78-1 Solwind, not canceled soon enough!)

Keep 'em flyin' :thumb:

TEG

popcorn · by **popcorn** » 27 Dec 2015, 03:52

So long as they find a better divert landing field

sferrin · by **sferrin** » 27 Dec 2015, 04:29

That_Engine_Guy wrote:In this forum, I find it more interesting the ability to bring DOWN a satellite versus putting one up.

F-15/ASM-135 ASAT style!

Alas, it was canceled because of technical issues, test delays, and cost overruns.
(Unfortunately for P78-1 Solwind, not canceled soon enough!)

Keep 'em flyin'
TEG

I'm fairly certain the reason it was cancelled was political. They'd already shown it worked. The plan was to have a squadron on each coast capable of launching them and something like 100 missiles. On another note there were a LOT of different air-launched ASAT programs over the years.