Stratolaunch Monster to have Maiden Flight this summer

Stratolaunch is preparing for its first flight of its big bird this summer. They have been working on taxi tests as of February and will be doing at least three more. They want to work up to higher speeds before doing their first flight. I presume after that they will conduct a flight program to work out the kinks in the monster and then begin doing...whatever it is they will do.

They have stated they will have a wide range of services offered by the company. The one they touted from the beginning was launch from a rocket on the monster. Most recently there has been talk of a potential space plane dubbed 'Black Ice.'

We will have to see.

spacenews.com...

It still amazes me how big that thing is.. holy smokes...

Pop!!! goes the weasel.

I hope it works, but there is just something wrong to my mind. The stress on the centre section will be enormous especially when they load that centre point with a payload.

Here is hoping it works for them.

To me, it looks wrong.

P

a reply to: pheonix358

That's what engineers are for.

You know, like the ones who design revolutionary bridges?

I'm sure it will fly with magnificence.

a reply to: Phage

Yes I know ... but sometimes especially on new ideas ...



P

www.parabolicarc.com...

New pix.

It flies!

a reply to: Zaphod58

Whoa

a reply to: Woody510

They're circling the area at 16,000 feet.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Wish I could see it flying in real life bet its an absolute monster to watch.

PS sent a reply

a reply to: Zaphod58

good for them. I am glad to be wrong about her first flight.

a reply to: anzha

Would've been a shame if it never flew though

a reply to: Woody510

Completely agree. I was thinking they'd crash, tbh. The damage done last summer and the problems they were having with the taxi tests made me think they were headed into a disaster.

I was wrong. I am glad.

a reply to: anzha

Haven't landed yet

Found elsewhere.

She landed.

www.thedrive.com...

Now they can retire it gracefully...

Another video of the take off showing it rolling down the runway

First flight lasted 2.5 hours.