Launching Spacecraft From Airplanes

Not just any airplane - the biggest airplane in history.  And not just any spacecraft - the new rocket from Space Exploration Technologies, a private corporation developing everything from orbital vehicles for NASA to commercial passenger vehicles.

The record-breaking plane, which will have six engines and twin fuselages, is being built to carry a rocket to 30,000 feet. From there, the rocket will drop from the plane and blast into space. The first payloads will consist of satellites and other cargo, but the program's backers say the rocket will eventually carry passengers. The Roc will be a flying launchpad—government and private-sector customers welcome.

If the concept of behind Space X's new launch vehicle seems familiar, that's probably because it's very similar to - even if far larger than - Scaled Composites' Space Ship One and its launcher, White Knight.  In fact, Burt Rutan, founder of Scaled, is on the board of Space X.

In a related note, the era of government-monopolized space travel is over.  The private, for-profit space race is now in full swing, and Reason TV is glad, as am I.