Pegasus XL Launch Vehicle

NuSTAR will launch into a low-Earth, near-equatorial orbit on a Pegasus XL rocket from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The Pegasus launch vehicle, built by Orbital Space Corporation, relies on a unique air-launch system with the rocket released at approximately 40,000 feet from the "Stargazer" L-1011 aircraft. The rocket then free-falls in a horizontal position for five seconds before igniting its three-stage rocket motor. The Pegasus is one of the most flexible and reliable small launch vehicles, with 40 launches as of October 2008 and 26 consecutive successful launches since 1997. More information about the NuSTAR launch is available here.