Have you ever wondered why most rockets launch straight up into the sky? Let’s dive into the world of space launches and explore some fascinating alternatives!
When you think of rockets, you might picture the Space Shuttle, Apollo’s Saturn V, or SpaceX’s Falcon. These are all examples of vertical takeoff launches. In 2013, there were 81 space launches, and in 2014, there were 92, with most reaching orbit successfully. However, vertical launches can be risky and expensive.
Did you know that we can also launch spacecraft sideways? Back in 1963, NASA experimented with this idea by attaching a small plane called the X-15 to a B-52 bomber. Once at a high altitude, the X-15 was released and briefly entered space. This experiment helped scientists learn about space travel and how to protect pilots from the intense heat caused by air friction.
In the late 1980s, an engineer named Dr. Antonio Elias designed the Pegasus launch system. This system uses a large aircraft, the Lockheed L-1011, to carry the Pegasus rocket to about 40,000 feet (12,200 meters) before releasing it. The rocket then uses its wings and engines to reach space in about 10 minutes.
Launching from an airplane has some benefits. At high altitudes, the atmosphere is thinner, which means less friction and potentially less fuel needed. Airplanes can also avoid bad weather by flying above it, and they don’t require a traditional launchpad. However, these launches can be more expensive due to the cost of the aircraft.
Vertical launches are still the fastest way to reach the speed needed to escape Earth’s gravity, which is about 25,000 mph (11,176 m/s). They can also carry more weight. For example, NASA’s Space Launch System can carry nearly 70,000 kilograms, while the Pegasus can only carry 443 kilograms.
As technology advances, we might see more horizontal launches. Vulcan Aerospace is developing the Stratolaunch system, which uses a massive airplane to launch rockets. NASA is also exploring the idea of using tracks, similar to roller coasters, to launch spaceplanes.
In 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first commercial spacecraft to carry a human into space. It was launched from a specialized plane called the White Knight. As commercial space travel grows, we can expect to see more innovative launch methods.
So, why don’t we launch from airplanes more often? We do, but it’s not as common as vertical launches. Each method has its own advantages and challenges. Which do you prefer: the powerful blast-off of a vertical launch or the thrilling drop of an air launch? The future of space travel is full of exciting possibilities!
Design and build a simple model rocket using household materials. Experiment with launching it vertically and horizontally. Observe the differences in flight paths and discuss which method was more efficient and why.
Choose one of the launch systems mentioned in the article, such as the Pegasus or the Space Shuttle. Research its history, how it works, and its advantages and disadvantages. Present your findings to the class in a creative format, such as a poster or a digital presentation.
Participate in a class debate on the pros and cons of vertical and horizontal launches. Prepare arguments for both sides and discuss which method you think is more suitable for future space missions.
Use a computer program or app to simulate a spacecraft launch. Experiment with different launch angles and speeds to see how they affect the spacecraft’s trajectory. Share your results and insights with your classmates.
Prepare a list of questions about space launches and interview a local scientist or engineer who works in the aerospace field. Record the interview and share what you learned with the class, highlighting any new insights about launch methods.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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If we have spacecraft that go like this, why can’t we have spacecraft that go like this?
Hey flight-suits, thanks for stopping by DNews, I’m Trace! On December 15, NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System — or CYGNSS — launched into Low-Earth orbit on a unique launch vehicle.
When you picture rockets, you probably think of the Space Shuttle, Apollo’s Saturn V, SpaceX’s Falcon, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and Orbital ATK’s Antares, or maybe just model rockets at home. Regardless, they’re all vertical takeoff launches, but why?
In 2013, there were 81 space launches and a handful of failures; in 2014, there were 92 launches with 90 reaching orbit successfully. Vertical chemical rockets are risky and expensive. But, according to the FAA, flight controllers handle 50,000 flights every day. So why not “launch” sideways?
First, we have! In 1963, NASA strapped a small plane called an X-15 to the bottom of a B-52. Once they achieved altitude, they sent the pilot just barely into space. These projects were essential in learning how to enter and exit space, how to design pressure suits for pilots, how air friction could heat up the surface of a vehicle, and many other things.
Then, in the late 1980s, Orbital Sciences engineer Dr. Antonio Elias updated his old design and ended up creating the design of Pegasus — which is the launch you saw at the top of this video. Pegasus launches from the belly of a mothership, the Lockheed L-1011, and it’s been used since 1990.
Put simply, the L-1011 lifts the Pegasus to a cruising altitude of about 40,000 feet (12,200 m) and drops it! Then the delta-style wings and the rocket propel it toward space, reaching low-earth orbit in about 10 minutes.
These horizontal systems have a few advantages! For example, the atmosphere at about 40,000 feet (12,200 m) is thinner, which means less friction and potentially less fuel. Airplanes can move the rocket above the weather, avoiding some of those launch challenges, and because you can fly the payload anywhere, you don’t need a launchpad!
In this case, the Pegasus launched over the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Unfortunately, a DARPA study found that when you factor in the cost of the launch vehicles, it can make them more expensive.
In the end, airplane-style launches versus vertical launches have different goals. To escape Earth’s gravity, a rocket needs to go 7 miles per second or 25,000 mph (11,176 m/s). The fastest airplane ever built? That X-15, and it only reaches 4,520 mph (2,020 m/s). Shooting straight up is the quickest way to reach escape velocity and can carry a lot of mass on its way.
The Space Launch System that NASA is developing can carry almost 70,000 kilograms, while the Pegasus can only carry 443 kilograms. That being said, the Pegasus isn’t the end-all of horizontal flight. The Stratolaunch system by Vulcan Aerospace will use a six-engine airplane and could fly to 40,000 feet (12,200 m) and launch a full-size SpaceX Falcon 9! The plane would need a wingspan longer than a football field and wider than the Statue of Liberty is tall.
More realistically, a NASA project is in the works that uses tracks (similar to roller coasters at theme parks, but much faster). These could be used to propel a winged spaceplane, though at the moment they’re only considering drones. If you want to launch people, you could think of SpaceShipOne, which carried the first human on a commercial spaceflight in 2004. It hooks onto the belly of a specialized plane called the White Knight.
As commercial spaceflight expands, you’ll probably see more of these horizontal launches in the future.
So, why don’t we launch from airplanes? We do! Just not that often.
Wondering why it’s so hard to launch rockets sometimes? Amy and I have that answer here. Which is your favorite? The booming excitement of ground-based launches or the thrilling freefall of an air launch? Let us know in the comments, and make sure you subscribe so you get more DNews. Thanks for watching!
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This version removes informal language and any potentially inappropriate expressions while maintaining the content’s essence.
Rockets – A vehicle or device propelled by the rapid expulsion of gases, used to transport payloads into space. – Rockets are essential for sending satellites and astronauts into orbit.
Launches – The act of sending a spacecraft or missile into the air or space. – The space agency successfully launches a new satellite every year to improve global communications.
Spacecraft – A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space. – The spacecraft was equipped with advanced instruments to study the surface of Mars.
Atmosphere – The layer of gases surrounding a planet, essential for sustaining life and affecting weather and climate. – As the spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, it experienced intense heat and pressure.
Friction – The resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another, often producing heat. – Engineers must consider friction when designing heat shields for spacecraft re-entry.
Altitude – The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level. – The weather balloon reached an altitude of 30 kilometers before bursting.
Gravity – The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass. – Gravity is what keeps the planets in orbit around the sun.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have made it possible to explore distant planets.
Engineers – Professionals who apply scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – Engineers worked tirelessly to ensure the spacecraft was ready for its mission to the moon.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. – Astronauts train for years to prepare for the challenges of living and working in space.
