The plane with the largest wing in the world in activity (116 meters), the Stratolaunch, took off this Sunday (16) for yet another test, the 3rd carried out by the company.
The aircraft continues in flight, which already s approximately three hours above the Mojave Desert, in California, taking off from the Mojave Air and Space Port.
You can check the flight tracking Clicking here.
Watch the giant aircraft take off at video below:
Take off for Roc!
Livestream, in partnership with @Stratolaunch
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Stratolaunch was created by the company of the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, with the intention of launching rockets in flight, a more economical way for small launches.
Since the ing of Paul Allen in late 2018, Stratolaunch projects have slowed down, despite the launch aircraft's first flight in 2019, while its main competitor, Virgin Galactic and Orbit, only advances in discoveries.
With two fuselages, the gap in the middle might be able to house a rocket for small satellite launches. This solution saves fuel and reduces the size of the rocket.
In December 2021 Stratolaunch announced a feasibility study, in conjunction with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), to test a reusable system for hypersonic missiles. The focus is on using this aircraft for missile defense systems (MDS) applications.
Several tests will be conducted throughout 2022, focusing on the development of this technology for the MDA, including flights coupled with hypersonic missiles.
Stratolaunch capacity
Despite its low autonomy, the Stratolaunch is capable of receiving up to 250 kg of cargo, which must be located between the two crew cabins, on the middle wing.
The autonomy is quite small, but enough to carry out this mission and return to the base with leftovers, in total this plane can only fly for up to 2200 km with a maximum load.
This is the largest wing aircraft ever built in history. In propulsion, this plane has six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines, which equip the Boeing 747 and provide up to 63300 lbf each.
The Stratolaunch has six fuel tanks in all, 117 meters of wing (more than an Antonov An-225), empty weighs about 226 kg and can weigh almost 350 when full of fuel. There are 24 tires and wheels on the main landing gear, plus 4 on the nose landing gear.
