The Largest Aircraft Ever?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 07:18 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Paul Allen and Burt Rutan are developing the world's largest aircraft for a new space tourism company, designed to launch unmanned payloads and manned spacecraft into orbit.
This massive aircraft will feature a 385-foot wingspan, be powered by six 747 engines, and have a gross weight of 1.2 million pounds.
It is intended to deliver up to 13,500 pounds to low Earth orbit and requires a 12,000-foot runway for takeoff and landing.

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Paul Allen and Burt Rutan set out to build the largest aircraft ever as part of their new space tourism company. Here’s a look at the design plan.

According to the company, the aircraft would be capable of delivering unmanned payloads and manned spacecraft to orbit.

The airplane would be powered by six 747 engines.

The aircraft’s wingspan would reach 385 feet, greater than the length of a football field.

The airplane’s gross weight would come in at 1.2 million pounds.

The airplane’s target orbital mission range is set at 1,300 nautical miles.

For alternative cargo transport missions, the airplane has a target range of 9,200 miles.

The company says the new aircraft would be capable of delivering 13,500 pounds to low Earth orbit.

The aircraft would require a runway 12,000 feet long to take off or land.

For more, check out our recent feature on the aircraft and the company behind it.

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