World’s Largest Plane—Stratolaunch—Emerges from Its Hangar for the First Time

Stratolaunch Systems, founded by Paul Allen in 2011, is looking to develop an air launched platform that will make low Earth orbit (LEO) space launches more like airport-style takeoffs. With a wingspan that stretches the length of a football field, the Stratolaunch is ranked among the largest aircrafts in history. It has six Boeing 747 engines and will be able to carry a payload up to 550,000 pounds. This reusable carrier aircraft will help reduce weather risks and delay costs associated with regular rocket launches. Stratolaunch is designed to allow up to three launch vehicles for each flight. First test launch is scheduled for 2019.

We’re excited to announce that Stratolaunch aircraft has reached a major milestone in its journey toward providing convenient, reliable, and routine access to low Earth orbit. Today, we’re moving the Stratolaunch aircraft out of the hangar – for the first time ever – to conduct aircraft fueling tests. This marks the completion of the initial aircraft construction phase and the beginning of the aircraft ground and flight testing phase.

Over the past few weeks, we have removed the fabrication infrastructure, including the three-story scaffolding surrounding the aircraft, and rested the aircraft’s full weight on its 28 wheels for the first time. This was a crucial step in preparing the aircraft for ground testing, engine runs, taxi tests, and ultimately first flight.

Once we achieved weight-on-wheels, it enabled us to weigh the Stratolaunch aircraft for the first time, coming in at approximately 500,000 lbs. That may sound heavy, but remember that the Stratolaunch aircraft is the world’s largest plane by wingspan, measuring 385 ft. – by comparison, a National Football League field spans only 360 ft. The aircraft is 238 ft. from nose to tail and stands 50 ft. tall from the ground to the top of the vertical tail.

The Stratolaunch aircraft is designed for a max takeoff weight of 1,300,000 lbs., meaning it’s capable of carrying payloads up to approximately 550,000 lbs. As we announced last fall , we will initially launch a single Orbital ATK Pegasus XL vehicle with the capability to launch up to three Pegasus vehicles in a single sortie mission. We have already started preparations for launch vehicle delivery to our Mojave facilities. We’re actively exploring a broad spectrum of launch vehicles that will enable us to provide more flexibility to customers.

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be actively conducting ground and flightline testing at the Mojave Air and Space Port. This is a first-of-its-kind aircraft, so we’re going to be diligent throughout testing and continue to prioritize the safety of our pilots, crew and staff. Stratolaunch is on track to perform its first launch demonstration as early as 2019.

This marks a historic step in our work to achieve Paul G. Allen’s vision of normalizing access to low Earth orbit. It is proud day for us at Stratolaunch, for our partners at Scaled Composites, and for our founder Paul Allen. We have a lot of exciting activity ahead as we enter the testing process, and we look forward to sharing our progress during the coming months.

Steve Schneider

Steve Schneider is the website and graphic design specialist for Richardcyoung.com and Youngresearch.com. Steve customizes and creates all of the images and political cartoons on our websites.