One of the problems with space flight is the speed required to achieve orbit; 17,500 mph. One of the ways I've always thought to achieve this was to launch at a low speed into a very high altitude then let the rocket fall back to earth being speed up by the gravity until it reaches orbital velocity and begins orbiting.

Question: Are their any programmes for this by the major space agencies, or papers written about the practicality of it?

One of the problems with space flight is the speed required to achieve orbit; 17,500 mph. One of the ways I've always thought to achieve this was to launch at a low speed to a very high altitude then let the rocket fall back to earth, being speed up by gravity until it reaches orbital velocity and begins orbiting.

Question: Are there any programmes for this by the major space agencies, or papers written about the practicality of it?