Pegasus XL

Pegasus Extended Length

Mission Profile

The Pegasus XL is an air-launched, three-stage, solid-propellant rocket developed by Orbital Sciences (now Northrop Grumman) as an extended, higher-performance successor to the original Pegasus. Released from under a carrier aircraft at altitude, the 17.6 m long vehicle generates 726 kN of first-stage thrust and can deliver 443 kg to low Earth orbit. First flown in June 1994, the Pegasus XL has launched numerous small scientific and technology demonstration satellites, offering the unique advantage of flexible launch location that is independent of fixed ground infrastructure.