- Development Testing
- Design
- Specifications (Stratolaunch Systems Carrier)
- See also
- References
- External links
{{short description|Aircraft designed to air launch spacecrafts}}| name=Stratolaunch carrier aircraft | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type = Space launch carrier | national origin = United States | manufacturer = Scaled Composites | designer= | first flight= | introduced=2019 (planned)[1] | retired= | status = In development | primary user=Stratolaunch Systems | more users= | produced= | number built= | program cost= | unit cost= | developed from= | variants with their own articles=
}} |
The Scaled Composites Stratolaunch is an aircraft being built for Stratolaunch Systems by Scaled Composites to carry air launch to orbit rockets. It was announced in December 2011 and rolled out in May 2017; its first launch demonstration is scheduled for 2019. The twin-fuselage design is the largest by wingspan, could carry a {{cvt|550,000|lb|t}} payload for a {{cvt|1,300,000|lb|t}} maximum take-off weight. Development In early 2011, Dynetics began studying the project and had approximately 40 employees working on it at the December 2011 public announcement. In May 2012, its specially-constructed hangar was being built in Mojave Air and Space Port.[2] In October 2012, the first of two manufacturing buildings, a {{cvt|88000|sqft|m2}} facility for construction of the composite sections of the wing and fuselage, was opened for production.[3] In August 2013, the Pegasus II was selected for the air launch vehicle.[4] In August 2014, all solid-fuel propulsion was preferred to liquid-fuel for the Orbital Sciences launcher.[5] In August 2015, {{cvt|200000|lb|t}} of structure was assembled.[8] By June 2016 Scaled Composites had 300 people working on the project.[6] Virgin Galactic also plans to air launch small satellites with the LauncherOne from a 747.[7]Orbital ATK dropped its Thunderbolt rocket project for medium-class payloads.[3] In October 2016, the Pegasus II was replaced by multiple Pegasus XL mounted underneath the carrier aircraft, developments of the original Pegasus rocket which had been launched 42 times since 1990.[8] Testing On May 1, 2017, Stratolaunch already had spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the project.[9] On May 31, the aircraft was rolled out for fueling tests and to be prepared for ground testing, engine runs, taxi tests, and ultimately first flight, on track for a 2019 first launch demonstration.[10] By then, it may have competition from the DARPA XS-1 or from Vector Space Systems.[11] By September, engine testing was underway as well as testing of "control surfaces and electric, pneumatic and fire detection systems."[12] In December, 2017, its first low-speed taxi test took it to {{convert|25|knots|km/h}} powered on the runway by its six turbofans, to test its steering, braking, and telemetry.[13] It began higher-speed taxi tests in 2018, reaching {{convert|40|knots|km/h}} in February.[14] It reached {{convert|90|mph|knots|disp=out}} ({{convert|90|mph|km/h|disp=out}}) in October of that year.[15] On January 9, 2019, Stratolaunch completed a 110 knot ({{convert|136|mph|km/h|disp=out}}) taxi test, and released an accompanying photo of the nose landing gear lifted off the ground during the test. [16] Three months after the death of Stratolaunch founder Paul Allen, Stratolaunch abandoned the development of its PGA rocket engines and dedicated launchers in January 2019. This left the Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL as the sole launch option, for an orbital capability of {{cvt|800|lb}}. Stratolaunch was then aiming for a first flight within a few weeks and a first launch from the carrier in 2020.[17] Design Stratolaunch has a twin-fuselage configuration, each {{cvt|238|ft}} long and supported by 12 main landing gear wheels and two nose gear wheels, for a total of 28 wheels.[10] The twin-fuselage configuration is similar to the Scaled Composites White Knight Two. Each fuselage has its own empennage with horizontal and vertical stabilizers, leaving a clear area behind the payload to reduce the risk of interference during flight. The pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer will be in the right fuselage cockpit, while the left fuselage one is empty and unpressurized.[18] The flight data systems are in the left fuselage.[24] At {{cvt|385|ft}}, it is the largest plane by wingspan, to be compared to a {{cvt|360|ft}} American football field.[10] The centre section of the high-mounted, high aspect ratio wing is fitted with a Mating and Integration System (MIS) capable of handling a {{cvt|500000|lb|t}} load, being developed by Dynetics. Stratolaunch is powered by six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines positioned on pylons outboard of each fuselage,[24] {{cvt|56750|lbf|kN}} each.[27] To cut development costs, many of the aircraft systems have been adopted from the Boeing 747-400, including the engines, avionics, flight deck, landing gear and other systems.[1] It will require {{cvt|12000|ft}} of runway to lift-off.[1] It should release its rocket at {{cvt|35,000|feet}}.[18] It will carry a {{cvt|550,000|lb|t}} payload.[9] With a Pegasus II, it could deliver up to {{cvt|13,500|lb|t}} satellites to LEO or {{cvt|4,500|lb|t}} to a 15° GTO.[3] It could launch a Dream Chaser small space shuttle capable of return astronauts or payloads within 24 hours.[19] Within Scaled Composites, its model number is M351.[20] It is nicknamed "Roc" after Sinbad's Roc, the mythical bird so big it could carry an elephant.[18] Specifications (Stratolaunch Systems Carrier) {{Aircraft specs
|ref=Stratolaunch[21]
|prime units?=kts
|genhide=
|crew=
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=238
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=385
|span in=
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=50
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=500000
|empty weight note=[10]
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb={{#expr:1300000-550000}}
|gross weight note= with no external payload[10]
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=1300000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
- external payload: {{cvt|550000|lb|kg}}[10]
|eng1 number=6
|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney PW4056
|eng1 type=turbofan
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=
|eng1 kn=
|eng1 lbf=56750
|eng1 note=[22]
|power original=
|thrust original=
|eng1 kn-ab=
|eng1 lbf-ab=
|perfhide=Y
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=530
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=[23]
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=1,000
|range note= radius[24]
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=2,500
|ferry range note=[3]
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}
See also{{aircontent
|see also=- Airborne aircraft carrier
- Air-launched ballistic missile
|related=- Pegasus rocket
- Scaled Composites White Knight
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
}}References1. ^1 2 -->Stratolaunch originally planned to airlaunch the Falcon 9 Air by SpaceX, whose efforts began shortly before December.[{{cite news |title= Allen Places Big Bet On Air Launches |url= http://aviationweek.com/awin/allen-places-big-bet-air-launches |author= Michael Mecham and Frank Morring, Jr. |date= Dec 19, 2011 |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}]
2. ^{{cite news |author= Doug Messier |title= Space Goose’s Nest Grows in the Mojave |url= http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/10/05/space-gooses-nest-grows-in-the-mojave/ |work= Parabolic Arc |date= May 5, 2012}}
3. ^1 2 {{cite news |url= http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/stratolaunch-orbital-air-launch/ |title= Stratolaunch and Orbital – The Height of Air Launch |author= Chris Bergin |date= May 24, 2013 |work= NASASpaceFlight.com}}
4. ^{{cite press release |title=ATK Gets Contract for Stratolaunch Propulsion System |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atk-awarded-contract-by-orbital-sciences-to-support-stratolaunch-system-219356461.html |author= ATK |date= Aug 12, 2013 }}
5. ^{{cite news |title= Stratolaunch Drops Liquid Stage From Rocket System |url= http://aviationweek.com/awin-only/stratolaunch-drops-liquid-stage-rocket-system-0 |work= Aviation Week Network |date= Nov 6, 2014 |author= Amy Butler |url-access= subscription }}
6. ^{{cite news |last=Gates |first=Dominic |title= Paul Allen's giant plane takes shape in the desert, but its market is unclear |work= Seattle Times |date= June 19, 2016 |url= https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/paul-allens-giant-plane-takes-shape-in-the-desert-but-its-market-is-unclear/}}
7. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/06/20/why-paul-allen-is-building-the-worlds-largest-airplane/ |title= Why Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is building the world’s largest airplane |newspaper= Washington Post |author= Christian Davenport |date= June 20, 2016}}
8. ^{{cite news |author= Stephen Clark |title= Stratolaunch announces plan to fly with Pegasus rockets |url= https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/10/10/stratolaunch-announces-plan-to-fly-with-pegasus-rockets |website= Spaceflight Now |date= October 10, 2016}}
9. ^1 2 3 {{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/stratolaunch-rolls-out-giant-aircraft/ |title= Stratolaunch rolls out giant aircraft |work= SpaceNews |date= May 31, 2017 |author= Jeff Foust}}
10. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 {{cite press release |url= http://www.stratolaunch.com/news/FirstRollout.html |title= Stratolaunch Aircraft Makes First Rollout To Begin Fueling Tests |date= May 31, 2017 |publisher= Stratolaunch}}
11. ^{{ cite news |url= https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/06/01/paul_allen_stratolaunch/ |title= Microsoft founder Paul Allen reveals world's biggest-ever plane |website= The Register |date= 1 Jun 2017 |author= Simon Sharwood}}
12. ^{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/engine-test-latest-step-for-stratolaunchs-giant-aircraft/ |work= SpaceNews |title= Engine test latest step for Stratolaunch’s giant aircraft |author=Jeff Foust |date= 19 September 2017}}
13. ^{{cite press release |url= http://www.stratolaunch.com/news/StratolaunchTaxiTest.html |title= Stratolaunch Completes First Low-Speed Taxi Test |date= Dec 18, 2017 |publisher= Stratolaunch }}
14. ^{{cite news |last=Baylor|first=Michael |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/stratolaunch-high-speed-taxi-tests-carrier-aircraft/ |title=Stratolaunch conducts high-speed taxi tests on giant carrier aircraft |work=NASASpaceflight.com |date=2018-02-26 |accessdate=2018-02-27 }}
15. ^{{cite news |last=Wall |first=Mike |url=https://www.space.com/42281-stratolaunch-rocket-mothership-runway-test-video.html |title=Stratolaunch's Rocket Carrier, the Biggest Airplane Ever Built, Aces Fastest Runway Test Yet |work=space.com |date=2018-10-29 |accessdate=2018-11-02 }}
16. ^{{cite web |title=Stratolaunch gets world’s biggest airplane ready for takeoff with 136 mph taxi test |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/stratolaunch-gets-worlds-biggest-airplane-ready-takeoff-136-mph-taxi-test/ |author=Alan Boyle |date=January 9, 2018 |accessdate=January 10, 2018 |work=Geekwire}}
17. ^{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/space/stratolaunch-terminates-rocket-engine-and-launcher-programs |title= Stratolaunch Terminates Rocket Engine and Launcher Programs |date= Jan 19, 2019 |author= Guy Norris |work= Aviation Week Network}}
18. ^1 2 {{cite news |url= http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/allens-colossal-stratolaunch-plane-emerges-from-its-lair/ |newspaper= Seattle Times |title= Paul Allen’s colossal Stratolaunch plane emerges from its lair |date= May 31, 2017 |author= Dominic Gates }}
19. ^{{cite news |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3184219/World-s-biggest-plane-launch-2016-Designers-reveal-megaplane-send-astronauts-orbit-using-mini-shuttle.html |title= World's biggest plane to launch in 2016: Designers reveal megaplane could send astronauts into orbit using a mini shuttle |date= 3 August 2015 |newspaper= Daily Mail }}
20. ^{{cite web |url= http://www.scaled.com/projects |title= Projects |publisher=Scaled Composites}}
21. ^1 2 {{cite web |title= Stratolaunch |url= http://www.stratolaunch.com }}
22. ^1 {{cite web |url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2a822313bea2157886257f060055beb1/$FILE/E24NE_Rev_13.pdf |title= Type Certificate Number E24NE data sheet |date= November 23, 2015 |publisher= FAA}}
23. ^1 {{cite news|author= Jason Silverstein |title= SEE IT: World’s largest plane under construction in Calif. |url= http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/world-largest-plane-construction-calif-article-1.2131231 |work= NY Daily News |date= 26 February 2015 }}
24. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tackling-space-challenge-paul-g-allen/ |title= Tackling the Space Challenge |date= June 20, 2016 |author= Paul G. Allen |website= LinkedIn}}
External links{{commons category|Scaled Composites model 351 Roc}}- {{Official website|https://www.stratolaunch.com|name=Stratolaunch}}
- {{ Official website|http://www.orbital.com/AdvancedSystems/AdvancedLaunchSystems/|name=Orbital ATK}}
- {{cite video |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh29Pm1Rrc0 |title= Stratolaunch Systems, A Paul G. Allen Project |publisher= Vulcan Inc. |website= YouTube |date= Dec 13, 2011}}
- {{cite video |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc6c8i9q2IE |title= Stratolaunch Systems Press Conference |date= Dec 13, 2011 |publisher= Ian Benecken |website= YouTube}}
- {{cite news |url= http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/14/business/la-fi-paul-allen-spaceship-20111214 |newspaper= The Los Angeles Times |title= Paul Allen to build behemoth plane for space launches |author= W.J. Hennigan |date= 14 December 2011}}
- {{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/blog/inside-rocs-lair |title= Inside The Roc's Lair |date= Feb 25, 2015 |author= Guy Norris |work= Aviation Week}}
{{Scaled Composites}}{{Vulcan Inc.}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Scaled Composites Carrier}} 9 : Scaled Composites|Space tourism|Twin-fuselage aircraft|Proposed aircraft of the United States|Air launch to orbit|Rutan aircraft|Space launch vehicles of the United States|Six-engined jet aircraft|High-wing aircraft |