tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808227584959676379.post6175840732889262278..comments2023-06-28T07:56:10.910-04:00Comments on In Progress: A Successful LaunchPeter H of Lebohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03960259139631190172noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808227584959676379.post-40146799251994488692012-07-13T10:47:20.478-04:002012-07-13T10:47:20.478-04:00I found the answer to my last question, "Why ...I found the answer to my last question, "Why do they launch at sea level?" <br /><br /><a href="http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/07/virgin-galactic-announces-new-launch-vehicle/" rel="nofollow">Planetary Resources and Virgin Galactic announced</a> a new partnership to launch small payloads. The rocket which launches the satellites is itself launched from a plane, WhiteKnightTwo, which will fly to about 50,000 feet. This sounded reasonable to me until I read that 50,000 feet is about two percent of the trip. So, in answer to my question, it makes practically no difference to launch a rocket at a higher altitude. In the case of WhiteKnightTwo, the advantages are 1) renting launch pads is extremely expensive, 2) they can fly to where the satellite is being made and can launch on short notice.James Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871338738388893364noreply@blogger.com