The largest plane in the world: Stratolaunch is back in the sky

The return of Stratolaunch to the skies took two years: for the first time, the largest aircraft in the world took off on April 13, 2019.

On April 29 of this year, the Stratolaunch Model 351, also called "Roc", with six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines made a re-flight. Previously, tests were postponed twice due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The wingspan of the new creation of the American company Stratolaunch Systems is 117 meters, which exceeds the length of a football field. In terms of its dimensions, the aircraft is unmatched, which is caused by the tasks assigned to it. The new machine, reaching an altitude of 10-11 km, that is, rising to the level of the stratosphere, should be engaged in launching satellites into outer space, launching a rocket with a payload.

I was in second grade when Yuri Gagarin went into space

- recalled the main creator of the project Paul Allen, explaining his obsession with space.

An American entrepreneur reached financial heights at Microsoft, but because of the greed of Bill Gates he voiced, he left this business, devoting himself to space. After Allen's death in 2018, many expected the massively costly program to be phased out. However, the new flight of Stratolaunch does not play into the hands of skeptics.

Comments

[Kote Pan Kokhanka]

... The wingspan of the new creation of the American company Stratolaunch Systems is 11 meters, which exceeds the length of a football field.

Maybe 111 meters?

[The leader of the Redskins]

And by what parameters was he, in general, appointed "the largest"? I, from childhood, know that such is the "Mriya" An - 224. And, it seems, this title has not yet been taken away from the Soviet aircraft.

[mitroha]

In the event of an emergency, an emergency landing for him = destruction. For it will most likely be possible for him to land only at his own airfield.

[Roman070280]

And the one on the video is straight back to back for some reason .. No stock ..

[Piramidon]

Quote: Leader of the Redskins

And by what parameters was he, in general, appointed "the largest"? I, from childhood, know that such is the "Mriya" An - 224. And, it seems, this title has not yet been taken away from the Soviet aircraft.

It depends on what is meant by the word "big". The wingspan of the An-225 Mriya is 88,4 meters, while this airplane has 117 meters. So by this parameter, it is really the largest.

[Narak-zempo]

Quote: Leader of the Redskins

And by what parameters was he, in general, appointed "the largest"? I, from childhood, know that such is the "Mriya" An - 224. And, it seems, this title has not yet been taken away from the Soviet aircraft.

"Mriya" have now pocketed kakly, incl. and in the sense of a monopoly to be proud of the creation of the largest aircraft.
So it's not a pity if they take away this tsatka, even if the Pindos.

[ironic]

Well, since childhood, we knew a lot of things that cause a smile today.

[And Us Rat]

In terms of dimensions, the largest wingspan, wing area, etc. An-224 is the most massive, it is heavier, but smaller in size.

[sined]

A monster of course. If Vika is not lying, then he is capable of carrying a PN weighing up to 250 tons. And for it they are still developing MLV launch vehicles with a payload of 3.4 tons at an altitude of 400 km, if the development has not yet been closed.

[Lech from Android.]

The tail booms are of course frightening; a sharp maneuver or strong wind is contraindicated for them.

[rotmistr60]

The ability to lift 226t certainly sounds impressive. But so far he has made only two flights and no load, not to mention test missile launches. Therefore, it is too early to say anything specific about this aircraft other than being the largest in the world.

[igordok]

Essentially the granddaughter of the Heinkel He.111 Z-1 “Zwilling”.

[Piramidon]

Quote: igordok

Essentially the granddaughter of the Heinkel He.111 Z-1 “Zwilling”.

Or maybe MK-1 (ANT-22)

[Trapp1st]

Essentially the granddaughter of the Heinkel He.111 Z-1 “Zwilling”.

The granddaughter of Zwilling is more likely to be considered the project of the dual TU 4

although Zwilling was a tug, and the carcass was planned to be used for its intended purpose.
Stratolaunch is suspiciously similar to the Lightning 1000 project

[Vadim237]

Lightning 1000 - This is generally a Triplan.

[Trapp1st]

Lightning 1000 - This is generally a Triplan.

In general, thanks cap

[Russobel]

It seems that he will now split up and fly in different directions ...

[alien308]

Noticeable roll when landing. Is this normal or not?

[Ax Matt]

Another development stolen from Russia in the 90s ("Hercules") ...

[sined]

And what was stolen? These are essentially two Boeing 747s. The engine is taken from the P&W PW4000, which are installed on the same 747 and on some Airbus. Or do you have information that the Russians in the 90s gave them some kind of narobotki? Or was it stolen because it looks like it? And they are not very similar.