Northrops Hybrid Launch Vehicle

Northrop Grumman has proposed a Hybrid Launch Vehicle (HLV), a system that would put a satellite in orbit within 48 hours of notification.

Its a 2 stage-to-orbit system, the first vehicle will take off vertically and and hit mach 7 and release the second stage off of its back at 150,000 feet, the first stage will fly back to earth autonomously using jet engines. and at 150,000 feet the second stage kicks in and will put the sat in LEO, Polar, or Geo orbit. All at a cost of 2/3 cheaper then it would be if you used a conventional rocket, those kind of substaintial savings should make this thing become a reality.

from link
Northrop Grumman is defining the architecture for an operational version of this hybrid launch system under a 20-month, $3.0 million studies and analysis contract with the Air Force's Space & Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base. The contract includes a base amount of $1.5 million over 14 months, with an option for an additional $1.5 million over an additional six months.

Northrop Grumman Proposes Space Missions to Go ... in 48 Hours or Less



[edit on 4-4-2006 by Murcielago]