air launch
Drop then ignite
Air launch is a method of deploying aircraft, missiles, or spacecraft from another aircraft already in flight rather than from the ground.
The carrier aircraft provides initial altitude and velocity, reducing fuel requirements for the payload: The X-15 was air launched from a B-52 bomber.
As a verb, to air-launch is to deploy something this way.
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- high altitudeGreat distance upward
- drop zoneDesignated touchdown area
carrier · payload · drop · ignition · boost · scramjet · X-15 · Pegasus · mothership · orbit · thrust · rocket plane · release · separation · hypersonic · B-52 · atmosphere · zero gravity