Vulcan Aerospace Stratolaunch Systems Carrier

History

The Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft, led by Vulcan Aerospace and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is a massive aircraft designed to launch rockets and satellites into space. Partnering with Scaled Composites, known for the SpaceShipOne project, the project began in 2010 and was unveiled in May 2017. Its distinctive twin-fuselage layout features a straight-wing design divided into three sections, with a cockpit in each fuselage's front and retractable landing gear. The plane is powered by six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan engines, with a payload capacity of 500,000 pounds and a range of approximately 2,300 miles.

Impressively, the Stratolaunch holds records for its size, measuring 238 feet in length and boasting a wingspan of 385 feet, the largest of any aircraft. Despite its vast dimensions, it's built to operate from conventional runways, requiring around 12,000 feet for takeoff due to its size. Once airborne, it carries its cargo to an altitude of 35,000 feet before releasing it into low earth orbit. Originally scheduled for a tentative first flight in 2019, the Stratolaunch project aimed to conduct thorough ground testing, including engine evaluations and operational tests, before taking to the skies.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 2019

Origin: United States

Status: Program is running.

Crew: 4

Production: 1

Manufacturer: Vulcan Aerospace / Scaled Composites USA

Carrier: US (planned)

Roles

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

X-Plane (development, prototyping, tech demos)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 239.5 feet (73.00m)

Width/span: 383.9 feet (117.00m)

Cured weight: 749,572 lbs (340,000 kg)

MTOW: 1,300,727 pounds (590,000 kg)

Wgt Difference: +551,156 lbs (+250,000 kg)

Performance

Installed: 6 x Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan engines, each producing 56,750 pounds of thrust.

Maximum: 40,010 feet (12,195 m | 8 km)

Area: 2,302 km (3,705 km | 6,862 nautical miles