The World's Largest Plane: Meet the Stratolaunch
On April 19, 2019, a new era in aviation began with the maiden flight of the Stratolaunch, the largest aircraft ever built. With a wingspan of 117 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 589 tons, this revolutionary aircraft pushed the boundaries of what was previously possible.
The result of nearly 10 years of development by Stratolaunch Systems, the Stratolaunch aims to revolutionize access to space. Designed to transport and launch rockets and spacecraft from the air, this giant carrier aircraft opens up exciting new perspectives for space exploration.
Stratolaunch Technical Specifications
With its extraordinary dimensions, the Stratolaunch is a true behemoth of the air. Its main technical characteristics are as follows:
- Wingspan: 117 meters
- Length: 72 meters
- Height: 15 meters
- Empty weight: 226 tonnes
- Maximum take-off weight: 589 tonnes
- Engine: 6 Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines developing a total thrust of 268 kN
- Cruising speed: 360 km/h
- Autonomy: 3,700 km
The Stratolaunch is equipped with a landing gear comprising 28 wheels spread over 6 legs, allowing it to support its enormous weight. Its gigantic wings, with a wingspan equivalent to that of an Airbus A380, give it exceptional lift.
A revolutionary concept for access to space
Unlike traditional space launchers, the Stratolaunch does not require a ground launch pad. It takes off like a conventional airplane, then releases a rocket at high altitude that then continues its trajectory into space.
This concept has many advantages:
- Increased flexibility in choosing orbits and launch windows
- Reduced launch costs by eliminating ground infrastructure
- Ability to launch heavier payloads
- Reduction of environmental constraints linked to traditional launches
With its ability to transport and launch spacecraft weighing up to 250 tonnes from the air, Stratolaunch opens the way to ambitious new missions, such as sending manned modules to the Moon or Mars.
A technological challenge successfully met
The construction of the Stratolaunch required unprecedented technical feats. Its colossal dimensions posed numerous challenges to the engineering teams, particularly in terms of structure, aerodynamics and engine.
An ultra-resistant structure
In order to support its enormous weight, the Stratolaunch's structure had to be designed with extraordinary robustness. Its fuselage and wings are mainly composed of ultra-light but extremely strong composite materials, such as carbon and titanium.
Numerical simulations and wind tunnel tests have enabled the optimization of the shape of the wings and fuselage to maximize lift while limiting drag. Structural reinforcements have also been added in the most stressed areas.
A powerful and economical engine
Propelling such a behemoth into the air was a major challenge. The Stratolaunch is equipped with 6 Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines, providing a total thrust of 268 kN.
These engines, among the most powerful on the market, have been specially adapted to offer an excellent compromise between power and fuel consumption. Thrust management and fuel supply systems have also been developed to optimize performance.
Discover our unique collection of aviator caps by clicking here
State-of-the-art flight systems
Flying such a large aircraft requires cutting-edge technology. The Stratolaunch is equipped with high-performance navigation, piloting and flight control systems, based on state-of-the-art sensors, computers and actuators.
Extensive simulations made it possible to validate the control laws and ensure the stability of the aircraft in all phases of flight, from takeoff to landing and the release of payloads.
A promising future for space exploration
With the success of its first flight, the Stratolaunch opens a new era in access to space. This giant carrier aircraft will significantly reduce the costs and logistical constraints associated with traditional space launches.
More affordable space missions
By eliminating the need for ground-based launch infrastructure, the Stratolaunch concept drastically reduces the investments required to send payloads into orbit. Space operators will thus be able to offer more affordable launch services, fostering the emergence of new applications and new players in the sector.
New perspectives for space exploration
With its ability to transport and launch very heavy payloads from the air, Stratolaunch opens the way to ambitious new space missions. In particular, it will be able to send manned modules to the Moon or Mars, as well as the deployment of very large space telescopes and observatories.
The future of space exploration is therefore looking exciting with the arrival of this revolutionary aircraft. The coming years should see an increase in the number of Stratolaunch flights, marking a new decisive step in the conquest of space.
To learn more about other fascinating aspects of aviation, check out our article on: Must-Haves for the Perfect Aviator Look