The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or DARPA is working on a program called the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access and the first phase has shown to be a success.
Satellites that are small in size typically make it into space on massive rockets, but in the future, they could be sent there on an unmodified jet.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or DARPA is working on a program called the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access and the first phase has shown to be a success.
For several years, DARPA has been designing small rockets that have the ability to carry 100-pound satellites. The goal is for the lightweight rockets and accompanying satellites to be mounted on a jet and sent into orbit.
The launch vehicle or rocket containing the satellite is attached to a jet and lifts off from a traditional runway. Once in the air, the rocket separates and the first stage boosters are ignited. After a second stage separation and burn, the satellite is launched into o
