[Concept] Air launch rocket capable of orbit

[xzxvrx]

Hello everyone, I recently bought a book about personal space travel and I saw a picture in it, specifically this one -

This is an air-launch system developed by a private company called Transformational Space (aka t/space). The main idea here being the parachute bringing it to launch orientation, without having to use wings to do that like Pegasus.

The KSP mind inside of me kept telling me to re-create that, so I did.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

I was surprised I got it to work so easily, considering that planes are not my strong point. You can also interchange the payloads, (the 1st stage fuel tank is the root part) but remember it has to be somewhat lightweight. While this is not really practical, as rockets are much easier and simpler, this looks really cool when you release. And yes,yes I know this is not really much of a replica. I just wanted to share the concept of this with everyone.

Download: http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/tspace-cxv-air-launch-system/

You can learn more about T/space here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T/Space (now please don't fact-check everything I said with that)

This is my first craft i've shared, so I hope you enjoy it.

Edited November 12, 2013 by xzxvrx
After-posting thoughts

[Sirine]

Congratulation on the wonderful craft.

I did a similar craft too. But instead of drop to go up, I drop to go down my rover, at Kerbin.

The 2.5km (disappear) barrier setting, always kill my Kerbal on that drop ship. So, just be careful, or switch it to a Remote Guidance Unit (for the drop ship).

[astropapi1]

It's just above Kerbol.

[barrenwaste]

I like this system, nice. I hadn't thought of anything like this, may have to try my own, now.

[Turd]

TouhouTorpedo has a Mk3 fuselage part designed just for this. It it TOUGH getting a ship stable with and without the payload.

[Guest links123]

It is difficult to get a stable ship with payload.

[The Destroyer]

I get bonus points

[soranno]

I love the idea, and only ever thought about it but never tried

It seems though, that you aren`t getting the plane to do enough work! I would be pushing for the plane to at least go over 10km, and/or get up to higher speed before release

[quietsamurai98]

To solve the killing the pilot issue, you could have the rocket drop the plane; i.e. the plane is controlled by the rocket command pod until release.

[xzxvrx]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I may try to make another one capable of launching 2.5m payloads.

It seems though, that you aren`t getting the plane to do enough work! I would be pushing for the plane to at least go over 10km, and/or get up to higher speed before release

Yes I knew this, if I released from 10km the 1st stage could (probablly) easily bring my apoapsis above the atmoshere, i'm just a bit lazy to spend like 10 minutes just getting to release altitude...

[Tankbuster32]

I did something similar to this yesterday, though it was done more like the Pegasus system. I was surprised that it worked so easily, I launched a satellite to LKO with plenty of fuel left in the third stage.

[iDan122]

Nice job! I never actually succeeded in making one of these, btw I get points, Mun is right above Kerbol.

[NASI Director]

I see the Mun. And Minmus. You sneaky person you.