DARPA's ALASA Concept Video

[Winston]

DARPA’s Airborne Launch Assist Space Access program (ALASA) seeks to propel 100-pound satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) within 24 hours of call-up, all for less than $1 million per launch. The current ALASA design envisions launching a low-cost, expendable launch vehicle from conventional aircraft. Serving as a reusable first stage, the plane would fly to high altitude and release the launch vehicle, which would carry the payload to the desired location. The program is moving ahead with rigorous testing of new technologies that one day could enable revolutionary satellite launch systems that provide more affordable, routine and reliable access to space.

[video=youtube;BOaJWoVLhAc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOaJWoVLhAc[/video]

 

[FastCargo]

Interesting...revisiting the old ASAT profile for an orbital vehicle....combination of ASAT and Pegasus.

I can say the Eagle carrying it won't have all that crap hanging off it. FAST Packs, Weapon brackets, missile pylons? Nope, nope, and nope.

FC

 

[bobkrech]

I skeptical on the $1M projected launch cost. A F-15E cost at least $42K per flight hour (the FY2013 cost of a F-15C). You might get away that cheaply if you operate from Kennedy, Wallops, or Vandenberg, but the DARPA concept calls for world wide reach, and under those conditions the F-15E is not going to fly alone. To support a remote launch I could envision a support C-130J to transport payload and personnel costing 14K per flight hour, a E-3B AWACS to clear the airspace and track the launch costing $40K/hr, a MC-130H/J sensor aircraft for visual tracking and recording costing ~$33K/hr, and a KC-10 tanker to refuel the AC costing $21K/hr. That's ~$150K-$175K per flight hour simply to position the AC.

I have no doubt it can be done as ASAT worked in 1985. The biggest issue is cost.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASM-135_ASAT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15_Eagle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_Launch_Assist_Space_Access

https://nation.time.com/2013/04/02/costly-flight-hours/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15E_Strike_Eagle

Bob