Beiruting News

The world’s largest plane with a mind-boggling 385ft wingspan could be set for its first flight in just a few months.

The massive Stratolaunch has 28 wheels, two cockpits, and six engines – The main purpose of this gigantic plane is to help transport, launch vehicles (rockets) and satellites into the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Funded by Paul Allen, who is also Bill Gates’ Microsoft buddy, the Stratolaunch is said to take off for its first flight, this year in June.

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The recent 34th Space Symposium in Colorado informed the world about Stratolaunch’s scheduled summer flight. People were given VR headsets to simulate what it would be like to travel on this plane.

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The plane has already been through two taxi trial runs, peaking at 28 mph and 46 mph. Yet, there are three more tests that are due to be done, to check if the plane can meet the required take-off speed of 138 mph.

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A year ago, Paul Allen talked about all of his hopes and groundbreaking aims set for this revolutionary aircraft. He told the Washington Post, “I would love to see us have a full reusable system and have weekly, if not more often, airport-style, repeatable operations going.”

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According to The Verge, the plane can carry a total take-off weight of 1.3 million pounds. Along with the transportation of space equipment, the jet may also launch a secret shuttle-sized rocket discreetly named “Black Ice.”

The higher authorities of this project revealed little about Black Ice.

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Initially, the idea for this jet was brought to life in 2011, with an overall cost rounded up at £215million ($300m), but there’s a serious possibility that today the incurred costs have been much higher than what was estimated.

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The Stratolaunch Program Manager, George Bugg said at the time of the first trial: “This was another exciting milestone for our team and the program.

“Our crew was able to demonstrate ground directional control with nose gear steering, and our brake systems were exercised successfully on the runway.

“Our first low speed taxi test is a very important step toward first flight. We are all proud and excited.”

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According to Engadget, the aircraft needs three more month’s to meet the expectations of its makers. The aircraft should have taken off two years ago as it was originally planned. However, with a mission like this, the organizers are taking it slow and steady, because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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If successful, the aircraft will become a reusable and affordable mode of launching satellites into the orbit. Stratolaunch also aims to send 3 rockets in one go, but that will have to wait until after the aircraft’s test flight proves to be successful.

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Even with such a gigantic size, the airplane can only be operated by 3 crew members.It’ll just be the pilot, co-pilot and a flight engineer on board. On the completion, the company will need approval from FAA before the plane can be sent on its regular missions.It normally takes FAA 18 to 24 months to give approval, therefore, the company will also have to keep that in mind while they approach their deadlines.

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Upon being questioned about manned missions, Allen explained:

“If you caught the bug back in the Mercury era, of course, it’s in the back of your mind.”

“But I think you’re seeing right now, other than [space station] resupply missions, most space flights are about launching satellites. That’s the reality.”

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On Feb 25, 2018, Stratolaunch latest and lowest take-off speed test was regulated.

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During this, all six of its engines were fired. The aim of the test was to check the aircraft’s capability of steering and stopping.

Source : Stratolaunch