Stratolaunch - the widest aircraft ever made by liberosist

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· @liberosist · (edited)
$111.24
Stratolaunch - the widest aircraft ever made
Four weeks ago, I wrote [about the Antonov An-225](https://steemit.com/aviation/@liberosist/the-largest-aircraft-never-made-may-be-revived) - calling it the largest aircraft ever made. Little did I know, Paul Allen's Stratolaunch Systems in collaboration with Scaled Composites had already built a working aircraft with the widest wingspan ever, outdoing the Antonov An-225 and the Spruce Goose. 

![drone1_website.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWxeR8TyC9PtthfjUYLjukj5zKpWKzSXDtojEgEcevbuV/drone1_website.jpg)

As it's name suggests, Stratolaunch is no ordinary aircraft. Or, as it's technically known, Scaled Composites Model-351, which gives away the manufacturer of the aircraft. It also gives away the fact that the entire aircraft is built using composite materials - no metal alloys to be seen here. That makes it the largest composites-based aircraft ever made as well. It has been designed for the single purpose of launching satellites and spacecrafts into... stratosphere. Air-launch-to-orbit.

Stratolaunch is powered by no less than 6x Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines. Aviation enthusiasts will recognize that name - those are the engines that power the Boeing 747. Except, the Stratolaunch has 2 more!

With a payload capacity of 500,000 lbs, it's designed to carry more than even the Antonov An-225. 

![Stratolaunch_comparison.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSh3yijUcv1PytjC7SCxYEG2TDtzmtvB17RJR9NLoPJkH/Stratolaunch_comparison.png)

The signature feature of the Stratolaunch, though, is its incredible 117m wingspan, spanning across a dual-fuselage body. That would be longer than an American football field! Though they haven't explained this design decision, it makes sense that a wide wingspan, double fuselage will offer greater structural integrity for carrying a heavy payload. 

![drone3-website.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfKeKrRLB6YdEuhLnavBVPQ8eQyrzvqk9yCVTzcAEoZze/drone3-website.jpg)

Needless to say, the hangar is custom built for Stratolaunch! 

The Stratolaunch system will be operational by 2020. If all goes according to plan, it will offer a viable alternative to traditional launches. Going the air-launch-to-orbit route means lower costs in the long run, and much reduced risk of costly last minute cancelations due weather and air/marine traffic anomalies. Stratolaunch will face intense competition from Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne. 

Learn more about Stratolaunch here - http://stratolaunch.com/. All images from there, comparison from Wikimedia.
👍  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 67 others
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vote details (131)
@daddykirbs ·
Very interesting! Nice graphics and images.
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@elishagautam ·
Wow! Interesting :D
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@alaqrab ·
$1.60
That same company made the Roton. One of my favorite concept rockets. 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_Rocket
👍  , , ,
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vote details (4)
@liberosist ·
Indeed! And also SpaceShipOne. They are doing some good work right now!
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@looftee ·
$1.60
>Stratolaunch is no ordinary aircraft.

Surely It doesn't look so, I mean they merged two aircrafts into one.
<hr>

>The signature feature of the Stratolaunch, though, is its incredible 117m wingspan, spanning across a dual-fuselage body. That would be longer than an American football field!

I wonder they have to make special airport for this.
<hr>

>The Stratolaunch system will be operational by 2020.

Hope I will be rich enough by then to purchase the ticket of first commercial ride.
<strong>Though, chances are very less for me to be that rich ever</strong>
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@liberosist ·
The runway needs to be a minimum 3.5 Km, which is not too bad. Any airport catering to Airbus A380 could technically land the Stratolaunch. Of course, you need a specialized cranes for mounting the payload etc, and the hangar needs to be custom built as you can see above.

You can't just show up with a ticket, you'll need to show up with your own rocket as well :)
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@looftee ·
>You can't just show up with a ticket, you'll need to show up with your own rocket as well :)

Now you have made my dreams complicated, what to target for, Earning enough for Stratolaunch ticket or to purchase a rocket. Damn difficult choice.
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