World's Largest Aircraft The Stratolaunch Takes First Flight
World's Largest Aircraft The Stratolaunch Takes First Flight. The largest aircraft in the world, the Stratolaunch aerial launcher "Roc", built by Scaled Composites, made its first flight from the Mojave air and space port in California. Scaled Composites created the fully-fledged six-engine double fuselage design (registration N351SL) as a pneumatic launcher specially designed for the US company Stratolaunch, created by the late Paul Allen. Today's first flight follows more than a year of ground tests, including high-speed taxi races.
The Roc took off at 06:58 and during its flight at 2:29, it reached a maximum altitude of 17,000 feet and a speed of 165kt (305 km / h), says Stratolaunch. During the test flight, the crew evaluated the performance and maneuverability of the aircraft before returning to Mojave.
"Today was great, the plane flew as planned, the flight went very well and the team had a great time," said Thomas.
The Roc, called Scaled Model 351, is equipped with six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbochargers, mounted on the Boeing 747-400. The configuration of the upper double-fuselage wing allows the Stratolaunch platform to adapt and implement the launchers more safely in a central position, explains the company.
Each fuselage is 73 m (238 ft) long and 29 m apart, while the 117 m stretch makes Stratolaunch the largest airplane of all time. Like the powertrain, many systems are derived from the 747-400, such as avionics, cockpit and landing gear, to reduce development costs. The manned cabin is integrated into the right fuselage, while the left fuselage is empty and without pressure.
The Stratolaunch platform has a maximum takeoff weight of 589.7 t and can support an external payload of 250 t. Its operating range is 1000 nm (1,850 km).
Scaled has been working with Stratolaunch for more than six years to design, build and test Roc, which is being developed "to make space access more convenient, reliable and routine".
"What a fantastic first flight," said Jean Floyd, General Manager of Stratolaunch. "Today's flight continues our mission to provide a flexible alternative to terrestrial systems."
The Roc took off at 06:58 and during its flight at 2:29, it reached a maximum altitude of 17,000 feet and a speed of 165kt (305 km / h), says Stratolaunch. During the test flight, the crew evaluated the performance and maneuverability of the aircraft before returning to Mojave.
World's Largest Aircraft The Stratolaunch Takes First Flight, Stratolaunch First Flight
The tests included a variety of flight control maneuvers to calibrate the speed and evaluate the flight control systems, including turn, yaw, recoil and traction doublets, as well as constant-level landslides. The test teams Evan Thomas and Chris Guarente also performed simulated landing approach exercises at a height of 15,000 feet."Today was great, the plane flew as planned, the flight went very well and the team had a great time," said Thomas.
The Roc, called Scaled Model 351, is equipped with six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbochargers, mounted on the Boeing 747-400. The configuration of the upper double-fuselage wing allows the Stratolaunch platform to adapt and implement the launchers more safely in a central position, explains the company.
Each fuselage is 73 m (238 ft) long and 29 m apart, while the 117 m stretch makes Stratolaunch the largest airplane of all time. Like the powertrain, many systems are derived from the 747-400, such as avionics, cockpit and landing gear, to reduce development costs. The manned cabin is integrated into the right fuselage, while the left fuselage is empty and without pressure.
The Stratolaunch platform has a maximum takeoff weight of 589.7 t and can support an external payload of 250 t. Its operating range is 1000 nm (1,850 km).
Scaled has been working with Stratolaunch for more than six years to design, build and test Roc, which is being developed "to make space access more convenient, reliable and routine".
"What a fantastic first flight," said Jean Floyd, General Manager of Stratolaunch. "Today's flight continues our mission to provide a flexible alternative to terrestrial systems."
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