Space1 is examining and designing a supplementary rocket system that uses a large capacity high altitude drone. In the design scenario, the drone carries the rocket and a special reduced launch pad to extreme aerospace altitude in the troposphere where it hovers and the rocket is launched vertically. Apogee = H(d) + H(r) where H(r) is the altitude of the drone and H(r) is the height gained by the rocket. The drone is a flying rocket launch pad in the sky. The large electric Space1 hexcopter kept in a hangar is used for this experimental platform and has enough lifting power to carry the rocket and a modified launcher to maximum height. In a second design, the drone is part of the rocket and flies skyward at a slower speed, whereupon it is jettisoned like a rocket stage.
