In California, giant Stratolaunch jet flies for first time
There are several advantages for airplanes as first stages. Less air drag on the higher altitude and more efficient engines, as they are optimized for smaller external air pressure. The speed of aircraft adds to the speed of the rocket. Another plus is that with aircraft you don&#x27;t need to build a launch pad, the rocket is just released in mid-air. Yet another benefit is that aircraft can fly to a more preferable point for the launch - for example, the point where it is convenient to drop the first stage of the rocket, or the point closer to the equator so the satellite won&#x27;t need to spend as much fuel to change the orbital plane. The airplane first stage can potentially fly to very different launch point, in many different countries, which can make logistics simpler. Those advantages all add up economically.