Google's Sergey Brin isn't the only billionaire taking up a lot of hangar space with an ambitious and massive aircraft construction project. For years, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has desired to make access to space more convenient and affordable, and from that the idea for Stratolaunch was born. On Wednesday, the world got its first look at the massive, 250-ton aircraft designed by Burt Rutan after it was rolled out of its hangar in Mojave, California, to begin fuel testing.
Originally intended to make its debut by the end of 2016, the Stratolaunch aircraft was finally freed of its three-story construction scaffolding in recent weeks, allowing it to successfully rest on its 28 wheels for the first time. Stratolaunch Systems Corporation CEO Jean Floyd admitted that the aircraft's 500,000-pound weight "may sound heavy," but its wingspan (385 feet) is longer than a football field and the aircraft measures 238 feet from nose to tail. It is powered by six used jet engines, taken along with avionics and other elements from two Boeing 747-400s.
The goal for "The Roc," which earned its nickname from an enormous mythical bird of prey known for carrying large animals in its claws, is to air launch partner company Orbital ATK's Pegasus XL rocket, which will contain small satellites. The rocket will be carried between the two fuselages and then released at 35,000-feet for satellite delivery. The Roc will take off with payloads as heavy as 550,000 lbs., for a combined total weight of 1.3 million lbs., including 250,000 lbs. of fuel.
Still, it’ll be some time before the Roc ever soars.
“Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be actively conducting ground and flightline testing at the Mojave Air and Space Port,” Floyd said. “This is a first-of-its-kind aircraft, so we’re going to be diligent throughout testing and continue to prioritize the safety of our pilots, crew and staff. Stratolaunch is on track to perform its first launch demonstration as early as 2019.”
Of course, the size, scope and delays of this endeavor will raise eyebrows, because Elon Musk's SpaceX — which briefly partnered with Stratolaunch until the companies split in 2012 over "different ambitions" — has already proven that space access (and possibly travel) can be cheaper through reusable rockets. But Allen still believes that the "airport-style operations" of air launching rockets is better for keeping costs low and possibilities high.
