The world's largest airplane takes flight. Next stop? Outer space by TheAlexKnapp
Share to linkedin
First flight of the Stratolaunch, which is intended to serve as a platform to send rockets into space.On Saturday, the world's largest aircraft, the Stratolaunch, made its first complete test flight. The aircraft flew for about two and a half hours over the Mojave desert, reaching a speed of 179 miles per hour and an altitude of 17,000 feet.
The aircraft was created by the Stratolaunch Systems Corporation, which was founded by the late Paul Allen. The purpose of the plane isn't normal commercial travel, but rather to carry rockets into high altitudes, then launch those rockets from the plane itself. "What a fantastic first flight," Jean Floyd, CEO of Stratolaunch, said in a statement."Today’s flight furthers our mission to provide a flexible alternative to ground launched systems."Airplane-launched rockets seemed at one point to be a good bet as a way of providing more convenient flights into space. Scaled Composites, a company founded by Burt Rutan, won the Ansari X Prize for launching the first private, reusable spacecraft into space in June of 2004.
However, it's taken much longer than expected to develop these types of spaceflight. Virgin Galactic only first reached a space-approaching altitude
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
In Search Of The Next Unicorns For This Year's Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups ListFor the fifth year in a row, Forbes will shine a spotlight on the companies most likely to become unicorns in our Next Billion-Dollar Startups list. If you know a company that might make the cut, let us know.
Read more »
36 Must-Have Products For Anyone Going To Disney WorldAll it takes is faith, trust, pixie dust, and a few of these items to be fully prepared for a Disney vacation.
Read more »
In Search Of The Next Unicorns For This Year's Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups ListFor the fifth year in a row, Forbes will shine a spotlight on the companies most likely to become unicorns in our Next Billion-Dollar Startups list. If you know a company that might make the cut, let us know.
Read more »
The NBA Playoffs Will Determine the Future of the LeagueThis summer’s free agency hovers over everything in the NBA—even the pursuit of a championship.
Read more »
The Latest: Mueller report release shifts to 'next week'Barr says a redacted version of Mueller's report is coming 'hopefully next week.' The timeline mentioned at a Senate hearing is a tweak from comments he made a day earlier. Barr said at a House hearing Tuesday that the report was coming 'within a week'
Read more »
Walgreens inks deal to offer primary care doctors next to some stores in Houston trialWalgreens inked a partnership with VillageMD to provide primary care in Houston, the companies announced Wednesday.
Read more »
Airbus proposes Rene Obermann as next chairman from 2020European planemaker Airbus said it would propose former Deutsche Telekom chief R...
Read more »
Amazon is moving into health care, its next big marketAmazon isn't the everything store -- yet.
Read more »
Explainer: Israeli election results: what happens next?Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz both claim...
Read more »
Mullin steps down at St. John's; Hurley next?Chris Mullin stepped down as St. John's head coach on Tuesday, with specula...
Read more »