Super-spacecraft launches satellites into space

A Russian corporation wants to build an unmanned supersonic aircraft capable of bringing artificial satellites to orbit.

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Picture 1 of Super-spacecraft launches satellites into space

NPO Molniya, a Russian aerospace corporation, is designing an unmanned supersonic bomber capable of launching a satellite from the air. They called the plane Hammer.

"The Hammer supersonic airplanes are capable of carrying up to 800 kilograms of artificial satellites to altitudes of 200 to 500 kilometers to launch into orbit, Hammer will own the gas turbine engine of the Su-27 fighter jet , " RIA Novosti quoted the contents of several NPO Molniya documents.

Hammer, weighing 74 tons, will consist of two parts. When the plane flies to the expected altitude, the satellite carrying part will detach from its body. Then the plane returned to the ground, while the other flew into orbit with the satellite.

The Russian government is increasingly interested in the technology of supersonic aircraft, which can be used in both civilian and military aircraft. In the past six months, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has repeatedly called on domestic experts to regain the leading position in the field of supersonic aircraft production from the United States. In late August he asked the military to build a new generation of supersonic bombers.