Abstract: A composite combination for launching a payload into space including a hypersonic spacecraft carrying the payload and a carrier aircraft, the spacecraft design to take off from the ground on the aircraft and then, upon separation from the carrier aircraft, to propel the payload on its own toward an assigned trajectory. The combination further includes a separation mechanism for separating the vehicle from the aircraft, and measuring elements for measuring physical data operative in the evaluation of the safety of a phase of separation of the vehicle and the aircraft, which data is evaluated by a computer component to authorize a prohibit activation of the separation mechanism.

Abstract: The combination comprises a hypersonic spacecraft (1) carrying the payload and designed to take off from the ground on an aircraft (2) and then to propel the payload on its own toward an assigned trajectory, the combination comprising means for separating the vehicle (1) from the aircraft (2). It further includes means (24, 25, 26) for measuring physical data operative in the evaluation of the safety of a phase of separation of the vehicle (1) and the aircraft (2) and means (20) for evaluating said safety of said phase to authorize or prohibit activation of the means for separation of the vehicle (1) and the aircraft (2).