How Stratolaunch Roc, the world’s largest aircraft, will become a platform to launch supersonic ships

The Stratolaunch Roc, the world’s largest aircraft, is being prepared to serve as an air launch platform. The spacecraft completed a major milestone last Friday when it took off from California’s Mojave Airport, carrying a Talon-A hypersonic vehicle on the center wing pylon.

Although the Talon-A is a prototype without a motor (TA-0), it will complete several tests aimed at the first launch of the TA-1, which will perform hypersonic flight after being launched by Roc.

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These are models that will travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and at an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters).

The six-engine, two-fuselage Roc’s eighth test flight lasted 5 hours and 6 minutes over the Mojave Desert and reached an altitude of 23,000 feet (7,000 meters).

“We have performed a variety of ground tests prior to this first captive transport flight, and with each successful test milestone achieved, we have built confidence that the hardware will perform exactly as designed. It’s exciting to see the team’s hard work come to life and the vehicles fly as an integrated system,” said Dr. Zachary Krevor, CEO and President of Stratolaunch.

Roc is airborne over the Mojave Desert! Today’s flight will focus on measuring the aerodynamic loads on the Talon-A vehicle while mated to Roc. Follow along with today’s flight: https://t.co/ZzEL4kaTLU #LetsRoc pic.twitter.com/vkeFrmpYG5

— Stratolaunch (@Stratolaunch) October 28, 2022

Between now and the end of the year, the company explains, they will do other test flights, including one that will operate the pylon release mechanism with a TA-0 vehicle over the Pacific Ocean. If all goes according to plan, the Stratolaunch Roc could start offering its services to government and commercial clients in 2023.

In addition to being a supersonic aircraft launcher, the Stratolaunch Roc is expected to allow satellites to be put into orbit more cheaply in the future.

Source: Elcomercio

James

I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years and have written for various news outlets. I currently work as an author at 24 News Recorder, mostly covering entertainment news. I have a keen interest in the industry and enjoy writing about the latest news and gossip. I am also a member of the National Association of Journalists.