When Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen decided to unveil his vision to launch satellites in space, it was appreciated by many members of the space community. The company’s goal was to put a satellite with the means of world’s largest aircraft! This may sound ludicrous, but in the recent one and half year, Stratolaunch’s aircraft has conducted many tests and has achieved multiple new feats. Recently, in a speed test conducted, the aircraft from Stratolaunch reached a top taxi speed of 46 mph or a notch above 74 kmph. This may not seem a lot, but given the size of the aircraft, which has about 385-foot wingspan and weighs around 500,000 pounds or 226,796 kg, it is a big feat that most aircraft would fail to achieve. This is definitely a huge improvement from December last year when the aircraft hit the top speed of 28 mph.
Other than the speed of the aircraft, Stratolaunch chief Paul Allen and his team has confirmed that the aircraft can steer and stop the aircraft. The purpose of the test is to confirm that the operators able to control the world’s largest plane. Stratolaunch has decided not to reveal any more tests that they might have conducted. Another big announcement that came from the company is the fact that they have moved their expected launch date. Now the company has set a new target launch date in 2020. As of now, the aircraft from Stratolaunch is yet to fly but with the latest speeds it is achieving the day is not that far. Once the development of the aircraft is completed, the hope is that Stratolaunch will be able to serve as an affordable means to launch small satellites in Earth’s Orbit.
WATCH|
Captured new video of @Stratolaunch plane as it reached a top taxi speed of 40 knots (46 mph) with all flight surfaces in place on Sunday. The team verified control responses, building on the first taxi tests conducted in December. pic.twitter.com/OcH1ZkxZRA
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) February 26, 2018
The design of the place is such that it can carry a payload in its ‘belly’. After the take-off, the aircraft will be able to fly into the stratosphere and let go off the payload. As per the company, there are many advantages of its system. Some of them include that it can be used at a number of airports across the world. The aircraft is devoid of any limitations such as fixed launch sites that can be impacted by air traffic and weather.