Computed Scale Models The enormous airplane known as the Stratolaunch was created by Scaled Composites, a division of Paul Allen’s Vulcan Inc. In order to launch payloads into space, the Stratolaunch platform was created. The airplane features a distinctive design with dual fuselages and the longest wingspan of any aircraft ever built at 385 feet (117 m). Its wingspan is greater than a football field’s length. These massive wings are used to create a stable launch pad for rockets into space.
Stratolaunch is powered by six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan engines, often seen in Boeing 747 aircraft, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 1.3 million pounds (589,670 kg). These engines provide the thrust required for the aircraft to take off large cargo. Stratolaunch’s primary function is to act as a rocket launch pad. It has two fuselages placed between the wings and is capable of carrying several launch vehicles between them. After launch, rockets continue their ascent into space by igniting their engines in the atmosphere. The ability to launch rockets from different locations, flexibility in launch speed, and endurance in certain weather conditions are just a few of the advantages of this air launch method.
One of the main goals of the Stratolaunch project is to offer a flexible and inexpensive way to enter space. It aims to reduce the costs associated with traditional land-based rocket launches, which often require launch sites and equipment. Additionally, Stratolaunch may be able to launch rockets from different locations on the planet, giving it greater flexibility in terms of launch rates and locations. On April 13, 2019, Stratolaunch took off for its maiden flight from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. It reached a maximum speed of 189 mph (304 km/h) and a maximum altitude of 17,000 feet (5,182 m) during the test flight. Sadly, Paul Allen passed away suddenly in January 2019, leaving the Stratolaunch project without a clear future.
However, the project resumed under new ownership and is still being developed. It’s important to note that the cutoff to my knowledge is September 2021, so there may be further developments or changes to the Stratolaunch project beyond that date.
Scaled Composites Stratolaunch Model 351
Model 351 of Scaled Composites Scaled Composites developed the Stratolaunch or Rock aircraft for Stratolaunch Systems to transport Air Launch to Orbit (ALTO) rockets and later to provide air launch hypersonic flight testing following a change in ownership. I was ready for It was announced in December 2011, went into production in May 2017, [1] and made its first flight on April 13, 2019, not long after creator Paul Allen passed away. The Hughes H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose”‘s 321-foot (98 m) wingspan has been surpassed by the aircraft’s 385-foot (117 m) wingspan, which has the biggest wingspan ever built. The boat is still in place. The maximum takeoff weight for a Stratolaunch is 1,300,000 pounds (590 t), with a payload capacity of 550,000 pounds (250 t).
When the project was publicly announced in December 2011, Dianetics had about 40 employees working on it and began researching it in early 2011. SpaceX’s initial plan for Stratolaunch, which they began working on in early December, was to carry the Falcon 9 Air. The size of the plane in the air was decided by the Falcon 9’s ability to launch medium-sized payloads, but SpaceX walked away after a year.
Shortly after the first flight, in May 2019, the firm suspended operations. By June 2019, all of the company’s assets, including the aircraft, were on the market. Cerberus Capital Management bought Stratolaunch Systems, which includes the Stratolaunch aircraft, in October 2019. In December 2019, Stratolaunch announced that the company would focus on providing high-speed flight test services. As of April 2023, Stratolaunch has flown ten times, including three hypersonic test flights, and has been declared operational.
History of Development
In early 2011, Dianetics began researching the project, and by the time it was made public in December 2011, there were about 40 people working on it. SpaceX’s initial plan for Stratolaunch, which they started working on earlier in December, was to get the Falcon 9 Air into the air. The size of the plane was determined by the Falcon 9’s ability to launch medium-sized payloads, but SpaceX left a year later.
Its dedicated hangar was constructed in May 2012 at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California. The first of the two production facilities, an 88,000-square-foot (8,200 m2) plant, was inaugurated in October 2012. was opened for business. Began production of composite wings and fuselage components.
Pegasus II was selected as the Air Launch Vehicle in August 2013. For the Orbital Sciences launcher, an all-solid-fuel propulsion was chosen in August 2014, replacing liquid fuel. The 200,000 lb (91 t) structure was laid in August 2015. As of June 2016, Scaled Composites had 300 personnel working on the project. Additionally, Virgin Orbit plans to use Launcher One to launch satellites smaller than the 747. The Thunderbolt rocket concept for medium payloads was shelved by Orbital ATK. The Pegasus II rocket, which has been fired 42 times since 1990, was deployed in October 2016 by several Pegasus XL rockets beneath the carrier aircraft.
Scaled Composites Stratolaunch Testing
In order to assess the performance, systems, and general capabilities of the Scaled Composites Stratolaunch, a number of ground and flight experiments were conducted. These evaluations were carried out to make sure the aircraft was safe, airworthy, and prepared for its intended use as an air launch platform for launching payloads into space. The Stratolaunch underwent extensive ground testing prior to its first flight. It comprised a number of system tests, engine tests, taxi tests, and other evaluations to make sure the aircraft was operational and ready for takeoff. Before moving on to flight tests, engineers and technicians could identify any possible issues or places that needed more fine-tuning on the ground.
The first Stratolaunch flight took place on April 13, 2019, at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The primary purpose of this first flight was to evaluate the aircraft’s handling characteristics, performance, and basic flying envelope. Over the course of about 2.5 hours, the test pilots flew the aircraft. Stratolaunch’s first flight saw it reach a maximum altitude of 17,000 feet (5,182 m) at a top speed of 189 mph (304 km/h). Pilots evaluated the aircraft’s stability, control response, and other aspects of flight. The flight was considered a success as it proved the aircraft’s ability to fly and provided researchers with important information for further research and testing.
The aircraft’s flight envelope may have been expanded after the initial flight, and further flight tests were conducted to obtain performance data. These tests will assess the integration and compatibility of the air-launch system through flights at high altitudes, high speeds, and perhaps simulated rocket launching maneuvers. To ensure their reliability and functionality, several subsystems, including avionics, flight control systems, and propulsion, must also undergo ongoing testing. These tests are necessary to verify the general safety and operational effectiveness of the aircraft. The fact is that my understanding is based on September 2021 figures. After that date, more information may become available about some test efforts and their results, the aircraft’s flight envelope may have been extended after the initial flight, and to obtain performance data. Further flight tests were conducted. These tests will evaluate the integration and compatibility of the air-launch system through flights at high altitudes, high speeds, and perhaps simulated rocket launching maneuvers.
To ensure their reliability and functionality, several subsystems, including avionics, flight control systems, and propulsion, must also undergo ongoing testing. These tests are necessary to verify the general safety and operational effectiveness of the aircraft. The fact is that my understanding is based on September 2021 figures. After this date, more information about some of the testing efforts and their results may be available but are not within my knowledge.
.webp "Scaled Composites Stratolaunch Subsequent changes in ownership")
Subsequent changes in ownership
In the early 2020s, Stratolaunch was working on the Talon-A, a reusable, rocket-propelled, hypersonic aircraft vehicle targeted for the Vulcan Aerospace Hyper-A concept in 2018. The plan was to carry three hypersonic vehicles together during a single Talon-A launch mission in 2022. Talon-Z and Black Ice are large concept cars that can send passengers or cargo into space. On April 29, 2021, Stratolaunch completed its second flight. On January 16, 2022, it departed from Mojave Air and Space Port for its third mission. It took 4 hours and 23 minutes to complete the journey at a speed of 330 km/h (180 km/h) and traveled at an altitude of approximately 23,490 feet (7,160 m). The fourth flight was completed on February 24, 2022.
On October 28, 2022, Flight Eight was the first prisoner transport flight to use the Talon-A separation test vehicle, TA-0. Flight Nine set a record on January 13, 2023, by traveling for over six hours. During this test, information was collected on the aerodynamic loads and interactions between the two vehicles. As of 1 April 2023, Flight Ten was operating normally. Performance data for the primary and backup downlinks were collected prior to the first TA-0 separation test for the post-2023 period.
Design Phase
The Stratolaunch has two 238-foot-long (73 m) twin fuselages, each supported by two wheels for the nose gear and 12 main landing gear wheels for a total of 28 wheels. Similar to Scaled Composite White Knight Two, twin body design. Each empennage on a fuselage is separate. The right fuselage cockpit houses the flight engineer, co-pilot, and pilot. The left fuselage houses the flight data system. Storage room for unmanned 2,500-pound mission-specific support equipment is provided in the left fuselage cockpit. A composite pressure bulkhead separates the pressurized cockpit of each body from the rest of the unpressurized craft.
The wingspan of any of its aircraft is 385 feet (117 m), surpassing the 300-foot (91 m) length of an American football field. Four large composite spars and four secondary spars support the center hub section. A Mating and Integration System (MIS), developed by Dianetics, is mounted in the middle of the high-mounted, high-aspect-ratio wing and has a load capacity of 490,000 lb (220 t). Six main petrol tanks and two auxiliary fuel tanks are located on each side, the main tank is in and near the engine. The inboard wing, where the load-bearing structure is attached to the fuselage, is where the auxiliary tanks are located.
Six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines, each mounted on a pylon outside the fuselage and producing 56,750 lbf (252.4 kN) of thrust, power the Stratolaunch vehicle. To reduce development costs, many aircraft systems including the engine, avionics, flight deck, landing gear, and other systems have been adapted from the Boeing 747-400. Twelve hydraulically actuated cable-actuated ailerons, split rudders, and horizontal stabilizers on twin tail units form the flight controls. The wing includes 14 trailing edge split flaps that are hydraulically operated, electrically signaled and also act as speed brakes. Donor B747-400s provided the avionics, electrical systems, flight deck, hydraulic systems, and actuators. The 1,300,000 lb B747-400 components contribute about 250,000 lb to the aircraft’s takeoff weight.
The length of the runway for launching aircraft is 12,000 feet (3,700 m). The initial rocket separation target was 35,000 feet (11,000 m). It is possible to fly a payload of 550,000 lb (250 t). It can actually deliver a 13,500 lb (6.1 t) satellite while carrying Pegasus II or a 4,500 lb (2.0 t) 15° GTO to LEO. There was also the Dream Chaser, a small spacecraft with 24-hour endurance that could carry cargo or passengers. The next goal was to launch three “Pegasus XL” rockets from Orbital ATK by 2022 before retargeting for hypersonic flight. Its model number within Scaled Composites is M351. Its moniker is derived from the rock of Sinbad, a giant mythical bird that can lift an elephant.
Some important design features
- Twin Fuselage Design: One of the most striking aspects of the Stratolaunch is its twin-fuselage layout. The aircraft consists of two parallel fuselages connected by a central wing section. This design allows for a large payload area in the center, between the fuselages, where the rocket can be transported and launched.
- Large Wingspan: Stratolaunch has an unusually large wingspan, measuring 385 feet (117 meters). It has a significantly longer wingspan than any other aircraft, surpassing the length of a football field. The wide wingspan provides lift and stability to the aircraft during flight.
- High aspect ratio wings: Stratolanches have high aspect ratio wings, meaning they are long and narrow. This design helps to improve aerodynamic performance, reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency during flight.
- Six engines: Stratolaunch is powered by a total of six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan engines. These engines, commonly used in Boeing 747 aircraft, provide the thrust necessary to take off an aircraft with a heavy payload.
- Payload Capacity: Stratolaunch is designed to carry and launch multiple rockets from its main payload area. Specific payload capacity and capabilities may vary depending on mission requirements and configuration.
- Air Launch Capability: The primary purpose of the Stratolaunch is to serve as an air-launch platform. The aircraft takes off from a conventional runway and climbs to altitude. At the desired launch point, the rockets are released from the central payload area and ignite their engines to continue their ascent into space.
- Flexible Launch Locations: One advantage of the air launch approach is the ability to launch the rocket from different locations. Stratolaunch is not limited to specific land-based launch sites, offering flexibility in the selection of launch points and speeds.
Scaled Composites Stratolaunch Model Video amd Information
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Scaled Composites Stratolaunch |
| Know as | Model 351 , Roc ✔ |
| Role | Mother ship aircraft ✔ |
| Registration | N351SL |
| National origin | United States |
| Primary User | Stratolaunch Systems |
| Number built | 1 |
| Length | 238 ft (73 m) |
| Wingspan | 385 ft (117 m) ✔ |
| Height | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Empty weight | 500,000 lb (226,796 kg) |
| Gross weight | 750,000 lb (340,194 kg) |
| Max takeoff weight | 1,300,000 lb (589,670 kg) |
| External Payload | 550,000 lb (250,000 kg) |
| Powerplant | 6 × Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan, 56,750 lbf (252.4 kN) thrust each |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed | 460 kn (530 mph, 850 km/h) |
| Range | 1,000 nmi (1,200 mi, 1,900 km) radius) |
| Ferry range | 2,500 nmi (2,900 mi, 4,600 km) |
| Service ceiling | 35,000 ft (11,000 m) with payload |
| Drawing |
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