Hello All,

Virgin Orbit (see: https://virginorbit.com/ ) is buying two more 747s--for a total of three launch aircraft, including Cosmic Girl--for air-launching their two-stage, kerolox-powered satellite carrier rocket, LauncherOne (see: https://www.space.com/virgin-orbit-...t-launch-planes ). I've always liked the principle of Pegasus (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_Pegasus ), but its unit price has always been rather high (its composite motor cases are cheap, but their solid rocket propellant--and its formulation, loading, and curing--have always been pretty pricey); maybe using an older, polysulfide rubber-based (Thiokol) solid propellant, maybe with cheaper--if perhaps a little larger--maraging steel Stage 1 & 2 motor cases, would help bring down its unit price.

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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR