Prospective NASA air-launch system certified as financially feasible
NewsSeptember 22, 2017
WASHINGTON. NASA -- following a number of years spent in testing and analysis -- has gotten word that its Towed Glider Air-Launch System (TGALS) will be financially feasible for production and use.
Multidimensional Economic Evaluators (MEE), which uses multidimensional economics and its own MEE4D market-analytics software, recently completed its project estimation review of the NASA TGALS, providing NASA with the financial models to move forward with production.
TGALS is a NASA-designed, two-stage air-launched reusable launch system currently in development at the space agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center. The unique approach of the TGALS uses a towed glider to put satellites into low Earth orbit efficiently, safely, and cost effectively, making the most of the advantages achieved by releasing payloads in midair rather than launching them from the ground.
The satellites launched by the TGALS will be used for such applications as communications, planetary and space research, and weather/climate monitoring.
