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The world’s largest aircraft for launching satellites into space has been recently unveiled in California.
Stratolaunch, the gigantic carrier aircraft, looks like two normal planes fused together by a center wing. It is over 50 feet tall, has a wingspan of 385 feet, and weighs more than 250,000 kilograms. Being larger than a football field, the aircraft is also equipped with 28 wheels and six engines.
The aircraft’s main function is to bring rockets closer to the earth’s atmosphere, so they can be launched with ease. These rockets then release satellites into space. According to its creators, Stratolaunch will help position the satellites directly into their designated orbit around the earth. By doing so, organizations that use satellites can cut down on costs and avoid delays caused by bad weather and rocket launch failures.
Stratolaunch Systems was established by billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2011. In the same year, Allen began conceptualizing Stratolaunch in partnership with aircraft manufacturing company Scaled Composites. Their venture resulted in the world’s largest aircraft, which is set to conduct its first public flight as early as 2019.
Allen had previously partnered with Scaled Composites for other large-scale projects. In 2004, they launched SpaceShipOne, the first reusable manned space aircraft. SpaceShipOne went on to win the Ansari X Prize for spaceflight in the same year
In comparison, a similar aircraft also designed by Scaled Composites recently took its initial test flight. Known as WhiteKnightTwo, the aircraft was funded by Virgin Galactic to carry passengers into space for tourism purposes. It is expected to start operating by the end of 2019.