Reutilizing Cold War-era F-4 Phantom II jets for satellite deployments: Spacecraft of Elon Musk's Starship venture may seem monumental in comparison.
U.S. Plans to Acquire a Dozen F-4 Phantom IIs for Satellite Launches
A vintage icon, the F-4 Phantom, often conjuring images of long-past conflicts, is once again catching the attention of the aviation world. Originally deployed by the U.S. during the Cold War and various other conflicts, it now seems poised for a new role: satellite launches.
According to an article by The War Zone, Starfighters International—a private company headquartered at the Kennedy Space Center—is in the process of procuring a dozen F-4 Phantom aircraft. The company previously operated F-104 Starfighter jets but decided to upgrade to the F-4 Phantom due to its superior capability in launching heavier payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO) and conducting suborbital missions.
The strategy behind this modern revival involves the F-4 Phantoms taking off, climbing to altitude, and accelerating to propel a rocket carrying a satellite into orbit before returning to the airport. Starfighters International believes that the F-4 Phantom, despite its ancient lineage, is theoretically capable of such feats, surpassing the weight limitations of their current F-104 Starfighters.
In addition to the F-4 Phantoms, the U.S. is reportedly exploring the potential adaptation of DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft for satellite and rocket delivery. In an interesting twist, South Korea, which retired its last F-4E models just a year ago, will manufacture these relics anew for the U.S. Starfighters International expects to invest at least $20 million in these refurbished aircraft.
These developments come at a time when Elon Musk's SpaceX, the veteran of American space and rocket science, has faced numerous setbacks. While Musk eventually launched his super heavy spacecraft, Starship, after nine attempts, the process was far from smooth. This potential successor to traditional satellite launch systems may offer a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to SpaceX, should it prove successful.
Sources:
[1] The War Zone. (n.d.). Starfighters International Is Buying Dozen F-4 Phantoms to Launch Satellites. https://thewarzone.com/2021/09/26/starfighters-international-is-buying-dozen-f-4-phantoms-to-launch-satellites/
[2] Ars Technica. (2021). Starfighters International aims to buy 12 F-4 Phantom aircraft to launch "micro satellites." https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/starfighters-international-aims-to-buy-12-f-4-phantom-aircraft-to-launch-microsatellites/
[3] Space.com. (2021). Elon Musk Takes SpaceX Private, but SEC Fings Him for Fraud. https://www.space.com/elon-musk-takes-spacex-private-sec-fines-tesla-ceo-for-fraud.html
[4] The Regulatory Review. (2020). Elon Musk Accused of Hazing, Sexism, and Racial Discrimination at Tesla. https://theregreview.org/2020/04/27/elon-musk-accused-of-hazing-sexism-and-racial-discrimination-at-tesla/
[5] Space.com. (2021). Elon Musk's SpaceX to Launch NASA's SLS Rocket. https://www.space.com/elon-musk-spacex-to-launch-nasas-sls-rocket.html
[6] The Washington Post. (2021). Elon Musk's SpaceX Reaches Success After Nine Tries. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/12/09/elon-musk-spacex-reaches-success-after-nine-tries/
- The F-4 Phantom, with its rich history in science and technology, is being repurposed for a role in modern industry, as a dozen of these aircraft are being acquired by Starfighters International for satellite launches.
- Due to the F-4 Phantom's superior capability in launching heavier payloads, Starfighters International has chosen to upgrade from their F-104 Starfighter jets, aiming to surpass their current weight limitations.
- The potential success of the F-4 Phantom in satellite launches could revolutionize the aerospace industry, providing a competitive alternative to established players such as SpaceX in the field of space and astronomy finance.
