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Stratolaunch's Monster Jet Completes First Test-Drive Down Runway
space.com ^
| December 19, 2017 03:31pm ET
| Megan Gannon, Live Science Contributor |
Posted on 12/19/2017 2:30:14 PM PST by BenLurkin
The double-bodied jet —which has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in the world —has been undergoing tests at Stratolaunch's facility at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The latest phase in this process was testing the aircraft's steering and stopping capabilities.
...
The monster jet was only rolled out from its scaffolding in May. This weekend's latest milestone comes three months after the company successfully tested the six engines on the colossal airplane for the first time. Stratolaunch officials have said they hope to have the aircraft in flight by the end of the decade, and the Mojave Air and Space Port will eventually be the company's center of operations.
The aircraft weighs 500,000 lbs. (227,000 kilograms), and it can carry another 550,000 lbs. (almost 250,000 kg) with up to three rockets under the conjoined wing at the center of the vehicle. Its wingspan is longer than a football field, measuring 386 feet (118 meters) across.
The aircraft was built by Scaled Composites, the Mojave-based aerospace company founded by spaceship builder Burt Rutan. Scaled Composites is also behind the design for White Knight Two, the mothership built to launch Virgin Galactic’s tourist-carrying space plane.
TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: mojave; scaledcomposites; space; stratolaunch
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With rocket mounted...
21
posted on
12/19/2017 2:45:33 PM PST
by
Rio
(Proud resident of the State of Jefferson)
To: Tijeras_Slim
They just doubled the Pilot Error
To: Newbomb Turk
23
posted on
12/19/2017 2:49:59 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
To: Newbomb Turk
What could possibly go wrong...
24
posted on
12/19/2017 2:51:16 PM PST
by
Bratch
("The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke)
To: Red Badger
It is to be an elevated launch platform. It get's a rocket to high altitude for orbital launch. Rendering:
25
posted on
12/19/2017 2:52:53 PM PST
by
KC Burke
(If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
To: BenLurkin
Said one pilot, "It feels almost like you're flying two airplanes".
26
posted on
12/19/2017 2:53:16 PM PST
by
blam
To: Tijeras_Slim
27
posted on
12/19/2017 3:02:54 PM PST
by
logi_cal869
(-cynicus-)
To: BenLurkin
Someone will have fun cleaning the runway after each flight. Those outboards will really kick up the dirt and debris.
28
posted on
12/19/2017 3:11:25 PM PST
by
shotgun
To: BenLurkin
29
posted on
12/19/2017 3:13:06 PM PST
by
4yearlurker
(Merry Christmas to one and all!)
To: KC Burke
The engineer in me cringes at that tiny area to which they plan to attach the predicted payload.
I understand hardpoints, but holy cow: The forces on that wing structure are going to be incredible!
30
posted on
12/19/2017 3:17:03 PM PST
by
logi_cal869
(-cynicus-)
To: logi_cal869
I think so as well. The “composite” part of the design is probably emphasized in weight issues for the two fuselage components and the wings. I would think of it like a single super wide body with resistance and weight cut by the three profiles.
I think I will pass on going on the maiden voyage with the load detaching.
How do you say disintegrating flat spin in New Age?
31
posted on
12/19/2017 3:23:43 PM PST
by
KC Burke
(If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
To: datura
If it looks good, it flies good.
That don’t look good.
32
posted on
12/19/2017 3:26:38 PM PST
by
Robert A Cook PE
(I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
To: Rio
Seems like it needs a spar in back between the vertical tails to reduce twisting motion forward. You assume they analyze that for one or two engine out flights on one side, for gusts, for unequal winds on landing.
33
posted on
12/19/2017 3:28:44 PM PST
by
Robert A Cook PE
(I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
To: blam
Take off and landing from Edwards?
34
posted on
12/19/2017 3:29:23 PM PST
by
Robert A Cook PE
(I can only donate monthly, but socialists' ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
To: blam
Said one pilot, "It feels almost like you're flying two airplanes". It's an entirely different kind of flying.....altogether.
To: Robert A Cook PE
36
posted on
12/19/2017 3:33:11 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
To: BenLurkin
37
posted on
12/19/2017 3:35:26 PM PST
by
Magnum44
(My comprehensive terrorism plan: Hunt them down and kill them)
To: Robert A Cook PE
38
posted on
12/19/2017 3:35:30 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
To: Paladin2
They can’t hire Chuck Yeager to put it through it’s paces tomorrow?"Ace" could handle it, he has a "big jet" license (just a joke, folks, there is no such license). But that's a BIG jet!
39
posted on
12/19/2017 3:37:59 PM PST
by
Ace's Dad
(BTW, "Ace" is now Captain Ace. But only when I'm bragging about my airline pilot son!)
To: BenLurkin
Imagine a banking turn. In this design, with the cockpit off of the center line, any banking turn will result in a rise or fall of the cockpit, rather than the expected rotation.
40
posted on
12/19/2017 3:42:31 PM PST
by
Sergio
(An object at rest cannot be stopped! - The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight)
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