Could the concorde be used to launch satelites into outer space?

Question

Remove all the seats, and anything else you can to reduce weight.

,then attach a smaller rocket underneath concord in the belly tank position, satelite is in head of this rocket.

Get the concord going twice the speed of sound, and up to its highest altitude,

Then point it straight up and release rocket.

This way when the rocket starts blasting, it will be travelling @1200 mph and far away from the surface of the earth. They could use a smaller rocket, because it will already have built up inertia and will be closer to outer space.

Answer 1

Air launch is a risky proposition.  The Air Force developed the D-21 unmanned drone that rode of the top of and was launched from a special SR-71 Blackbird.  During one attempt at an air launch both craft were lost and two men were killed.  The program was discontinued soon after.  .

You're idea on paper has merit but the cost of getting a Concorde back up and flying would not be cost effective.  Other planes are already used for satellite launch like the special ORBITAL SERVICES L-1011 Tristar that drop launches the Pegasus rocket.

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Answer 2

Sounds almost feasible but remember the plane would have to be facing upward before launch.So it would have to go into a dive and then after it has pulled out, facing up at say, 45 degrees, fire the rocket. The reaction force would slow the plane considerably. So long as the plane still has enough forward speed to fly it should work?

Answer 3

No.  Because the Concord's shell is too flimsy for the demanding speeds (17,000 mph+)  of outer space flight.

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Answer 4

First of all the existing Concordes are on static display, and have had critical structural members cut through so that no one will suggest they be flown again.  They will never fly again.

Second, the Concorde was not designed or built to take the kind of stresses you are suggesting.  It was very limited in its maneuvering loads when it was in operation.

The optimum way of launching small satellites is to carry them into orbit with the Space Shuttle.  After the Shuttles have been parked, if that happens, and we are waiting for a new enlightened space policy, which we may or may not ever get, the best way to launch them will be in multiples using the Constellation boosters.

Answer 5

No, it relies on the draft under its wings to maintain lift and also requires oxygen to keep the engine running.  If it we're to attempt to reach orbit, it would stall.

Also, the Concords altitude ceiling is about 18km.  Orbital satellites have altitudes of over 100km.

Answer 6

The key word in your question is "could." The answer is yes. Would it be practical? Probably not.

We "could" launch sattelites with LOTS of rubberbands....