Author Topic: Stratolaunch Systems  (Read 16732 times)

Offline The Big Gimper

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Stratolaunch Systems
« on: June 20, 2016, 05:41:13 PM »
MOJAVE, Calif. – When you walk into the place where Seattle software billionaire Paul Allen’s Stratolaunch Systems is building the world’s biggest airplane, it feels as if you’re stepping into the Starship Enterprise’s construction zone.

This view of Stratolaunch Systems’ hangar at Mojave Air and Space Port in California shows the massive airplane’s left-side fuselage and scaffolding. At least six people are in the picture. To spot them, click on the image and look for the red circles in an enlarged version. (Credit: Vulcan Inc.)



When the plane is loaded up with 550,000 pounds of payload, it’s projected to weigh in at 1.3 million pounds. That’s close to the weight of the world’s most massive airplane, the Russian-made Antonov An-225 cargo transport. And Stratolaunch trumps the An-225 when it comes to wingspan, thanks to its heavy use of lightweight graphite composites.

Stratolaunch purchased two used Boeing 747 jets for additional parts, including six engines (plus two spares), eight sets of landing gear, the seats, avionics and other cockpit equipment.



Sources:
Geekwire: Paul Allen’s Stratolaunch lifts veil on world’s biggest plane — a giant bet on a new way to space
Stratolaunch Systems: Vulcan Aerospace Home Page
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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2016, 02:29:20 AM »
More images:



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Offline jcf

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2016, 02:48:08 AM »
Yep it's a cool project.

p.s. Carl, this subject can go in Ideas & Inspiration -> Aero-space.  ;)
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2016, 03:22:12 AM »
I wonder if they will use it for non-launching duties - e.g. outsize cargo lifts?
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Offline Alvis 3.1

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2016, 03:36:01 AM »
I would bet there would be some very interesting stress factors at work following payload drops.


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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2016, 04:00:41 AM »
"SPROING!!!" comes to mind.  :o
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Offline Tophe

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2016, 10:43:55 AM »
I am glad twin-fuselage aircraft is up to date! :)

Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2017, 03:17:44 AM »
Almost there.

For the first time ever, the Stratolaunch aircraft moved out of the hangar to conduct aircraft fueling tests. This marks the completion of the initial aircraft construction phase and transition into the aircraft ground and flight testing phase.





Full Photo Gallery is here: http://stratolaunch.com/gallery.html

Greg / Daryl J / Uncle Les: Are you ready for a 1/48 scale build?






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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2017, 01:29:41 AM »
Oh yeah!!!

Les will do a 1/32 version whilst Tophe will double it up...
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Offline Kelmola

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2017, 04:08:37 AM »
Suprised nobody has suggested extended wings yet ;)

Offline KiwiZac

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2017, 04:19:35 AM »
Speaking of the wings: this thing already measures 385ft tip to tip...65ft more than the Hughes H-4! Once it lifts off that'll make Stratolaunch the biggest wingspan to ever fly.

I kinda like it!
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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2017, 02:32:13 AM »
Interesting image:

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Offline KiwiZac

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2017, 04:47:46 AM »
1) What are those under the centresection?

b) The wings are crying out for extensions.
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Offline Acree

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2017, 04:58:18 AM »
Looks to me like Pegasus satellite launch systems

Offline finsrin

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2017, 09:48:11 AM »
Be ideal in Navy blue carrying an air dropped-launched submarine.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2017, 09:49:59 AM by finsrin »

Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2017, 07:39:54 AM »
They are making progress.

You may have heard that this past weekend, we successfully ran all six Pratt & Whitney 4000-94 inch engines of the Stratolaunch aircraft – one at a time, multiple times. The team tested normal engine starts, along with a number of failure mode conditions to verify proper engine and airframe response.

If you were thinking, “These are 747 engines, what is the big deal?” No other airplane has flown with six 747 engines. This six engine configuration is capable of producing more thrust than any other airplane. While this full thrust capability has not yet been demonstrated, the engine testing will continue with increasing power levels. Ken Baker, Test Conductor, stated “Even at idle, it’s apparent how much power these engines have!”

We have been working with Stratolaunch for the past five years designing, building, and testing the world’s largest aircraft. Paul Allen’s mission for Stratolaunch is developing an air launch platform to make access to space more convenient, reliable, and routine.

“Follow-up testing this fall will exercise the unique avionics, hydraulics, electrical, and fuel systems,” said Joe Ruddy, Director of the Stratolaunch Project. “This will advance the aircraft one step closer to taxi testing – one of the final test series prior to flight.”







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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #16 on: March 08, 2018, 03:52:33 AM »
Interesting. An artist’s concept from 2014 shows a mini-space shuttle (Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser) and its booster rocket attached to the underside of Stratolaunch’s giant airplane. (Sierra Nevada Corp. / Stratolaunch Illustration)

Story here: https://www.geekwire.com/2018/stratolaunch-revives-vision-launching-space-plane-monster-airplane/



Alan Boyle @b0yle
@Stratolaunch talks about its vision of launching #BlackIce space plane on world's largest airplane @VulcanInc @PaulGAllen @wapodavenport
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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2018, 01:58:55 AM »


Jean Floyd @WJeanFloyd (President and CEO, Stratolaunch)
Think BIG @Stratolaunch
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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #18 on: May 11, 2018, 11:42:02 PM »


Jean Floyd @WJeanFloyd
@Stratolaunch @MojaveAirport operations are coming on-line as we approach aircraft first flight this summer.  Launch vehicles will be integrated in our 88,000 sf low-bay and rolled directly under the aircraft for mating ops in the 103,256 sf T-hanger.
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Offline kitnut617

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #19 on: April 14, 2019, 12:39:03 AM »

Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #20 on: April 14, 2019, 03:41:53 AM »
Would have been a awesome sight in person. Here are some still photos via Twitter.















« Last Edit: April 14, 2019, 06:05:47 AM by The Big Gimper »
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Offline kitnut617

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #21 on: April 14, 2019, 06:16:06 AM »
Nice photos Carl --- I think the second pic down it's actually landing (top pic no flaps, second pic full flap, third pic no flaps)   :-\

Offline Spey Phantom

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #22 on: April 14, 2019, 05:28:29 PM »
i have never thought that thing would EVER get of the ground, that size  :icon_surprised:
its friggin huge  :o
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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #23 on: April 14, 2019, 10:32:28 PM »
Here is a nice representation of an insignificant human.

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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Stratolaunch Systems
« Reply #24 on: April 16, 2019, 05:19:41 AM »
A nice 1 minute video from Scaled Composites. Includes air-2-air footage.

https://youtu.be/Ooo6SWatlW0
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