The largest composite aircraft in the world, the Stratolaunch, successfully completed its first flight from the Mojave Air & Spaceport last week with former U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot Evan Thomas at the controls. Hanna Steplewska, Stratolaunch’s vp of business development said, “Thomas specializes in experimental flight test, aviation and test safety, aircraft stability and control testing, as well as the operational leadership.”
Stratolaunch Completes First Flight
The largest composite aircraft in the world, the Stratolaunch, successfully completed its first flight from the Mojave Air & Spaceport in 2019.
Key Takeaways:
- The Stratolaunch, the world's largest composite aircraft, successfully completed its first flight from the Mojave Air & Spaceport, flying for 2.5 hours at speeds up to 189 mph and altitudes of 17,000 feet.
- During the initial flight, pilots performed various flight control maneuvers and simulated landing approach exercises to calibrate speed and test systems.
- The aircraft is designed as a mobile launch platform to provide convenient, affordable, and routine "airline-style" access to space, capable of carrying multiple launch vehicles weighing up to 500,000 pounds.
- Founded by Paul G. Allen, Stratolaunch aims to enable routine space access for collecting data and driving advancements in science, research, and technology.
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