Stratolaunch Systems

The project was started in 2010, almost a year before the public announcement was made. Development costs were initially projected to be US$300 million in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1994/1|title=The Space Review: Stratolaunch: SpaceShipThree or Space Goose?|website=www.thespacereview.com|access-date=March 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315173222/http://thespacereview.com/article/1994/1|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=live}} Dynetics actually began work in early 2010 and had approximately 40 employees working on the project {{as of|2011|12|lc=y}}. Dynetics was cited as "responsible for the total systems engineering, integration and testing, which includes aerodynamics, loads, and interfaces".{{cite news|last=Kelley|first=Mike|title=Dynetics to provide systems integration for new commercial space launch system |url=http://www.al.com/42/index.ssf/2011/12/dynetics_to_provide_systems_in.html|access-date=December 18, 2011|newspaper=Huntsville Times|date=December 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108001931/http://www.al.com/42/index.ssf/2011/12/dynetics_to_provide_systems_in.html|archive-date=January 8, 2012|url-status=live}} It was announced in 2011 that SpaceX was also already working on the design for the rocket-powered space vehicle components of the system, the Falcon 9 Air.

File:Stratolaunch wordmark.svg

The collaboration with SpaceX ended by 2012. In a 2015 interview, former president Chuck Beames (2014–2016) explained, "SpaceX was a partner, and like a lot of partnerships, it was just determined that it was best we went our separate ways – different ambitions. We were interested in their engines, but Elon and his team, they're about going to Mars, and we're just in a different place, and so I think it was a parting of the ways that was amicable".{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/update-vulcan-aerospace-stratolaunch/|title=Update: Vulcan Aerospace / Stratolaunch - SpaceFlight Insider|website=www.spaceflightinsider.com|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822214711/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/update-vulcan-aerospace-stratolaunch/|archive-date=August 22, 2015|url-status=live}}

Stratolaunch Systems completed its first {{cvt|88000|sqft}} composites production building in October 2012. In February 2013, the company completed construction of its {{cvt|92640|sqft}} carrier assembly hangar and operations facilities at the Mojave Air and Space Port.

The carrier aircraft was originally projected to make its first test flight in 2015. By October 2013, the first flight of the carrier aircraft was pushed back until 2018 at the earliest, with the first flight of the air-launched rocket expected in 2019 at the earliest.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/20/16335600/stratolaunch-aircraft-paul-allen-rocket-engine-test |title=Stratolaunch tests all six engines on its massive rocket-launching plane|date=September 20, 2017|publisher=|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920214239/https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/20/16335600/stratolaunch-aircraft-paul-allen-rocket-engine-test|archive-date=September 20, 2017|url-status=live}}

In 2014, Stratolaunch announced that it was considering multiple launch vehicle options over a range of satellite sizes, and that some development work on the orbital launch vehicle has been slowed down to focus on completion of the carrier aircraft.{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=Stratolaunch Considering Using Multiple Launch|url=http://spacenews.com/stratolaunch-considering-using-multiple-launch-vehicles/|access-date=25 April 2015|work=Space News|date=2015-04-15}}

In 2014, Stratolaunch Systems was placed under the supervision of Paul Allen's new aerospace company Vulcan Aerospace,{{cite news|title=Paul Allen's Vulcan Aerospace Ready To Stretch Its Wings

|first=Debra |last=Werner|date=April 18, 2015|url=https://spacenews.com/paul-allens-vulcan-aerospace-ready-to-stretch-its-wings/|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=February 13, 2023}} a subsidiary of Vulcan Inc. Beames stated, "Vulcan Aerospace is the company within Vulcan that plans and executes projects to shift how the world conceptualizes space travel through cost reduction and on‐demand access. Vulcan Aerospace has its heritage in SpaceShipOne and oversees the Stratolaunch Systems project"{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/29117-vulcan-aerospace-paul-allen-private-spaceflight.html|title=Paul Allen Launches 'Vulcan Aerospace' to Boost Private Space Travel|website=Space.com|date=April 16, 2015|publisher=|access-date=August 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107180319/http://www.space.com/29117-vulcan-aerospace-paul-allen-private-spaceflight.html|archive-date=November 7, 2015|url-status=live}}

Later in the year, in November 2015, Gary Wentz "stepped down as president and CEO of Stratolaunch Systems to join United Launch Alliance to lead human launch services" for ULA. Vulcan ended its contract with Orbital ATK in mid-2015 and indicated that a decision on a new rocket for the Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft would be made in late 2015.[http://spacenews.com/stratolaunchs-future-up-in-the-air/ Stratolaunch's Plans Up in the Air], Jeff Foust, SpaceNews, 18 November 2015, accessed 28 November 2015.

In 2017, Fast Company named the Stratolaunch one of the world's most innovative companies citing the air-launch system's size and ability to fly in inclement weather.{{cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/company/stratolaunch-systems|title=Stratolaunch Systems|access-date=April 16, 2019|year=2018|publisher=Fast Company (Mansueto Ventures, LLC)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406060246/https://www.fastcompany.com/company/stratolaunch-systems|archive-date=April 6, 2019|url-status=live}} In April 2017, Stratolaunch formally transitioned its name from Vulcan Aerospace to Stratolaunch Systems Corporation.

In May 2017, the Stratolaunch was rolled out for the first time to begin fueling tests, the first of many ground tests.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/31/us/worlds-largest-airplane-rolled-out-paul-allen/index.html|title=World's largest airplane is rolled out|author=Phil Gast|website=CNN|date=June 2017|access-date=2017-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601040917/http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/31/us/worlds-largest-airplane-rolled-out-paul-allen/index.html|archive-date=June 1, 2017|url-status=live}}

In December 2017, the Stratolaunch was rolled out for the first taxi test on the runway at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.{{Cite web |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/paul-allens-stratolaunch-space-venture-puts-monster-airplane-first-taxi-test/|title=Paul Allen's Stratolaunch space venture puts monster plane through first taxi test |last=GeekWire|first=Alan Boyle|website=Geekwire|date=December 18, 2017 |access-date=2017-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222025213/https://www.geekwire.com/2017/paul-allens-stratolaunch-space-venture-puts-monster-airplane-first-taxi-test/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}} On April 13, 2019, Stratolaunch took to the air for the first time and flew for two and a half hours from the Mojave Air and Space Port. The flight reached a maximum altitude of 4,570 meters and a top speed of 278 kilometers per hour.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

In January 2019, Stratolaunch announced it was halting development of its own air-launched family of launch vehicles. This followed the death of Stratolaunch founder Paul Allen in October 2018, who had been the source of funds for the capital intensive development program since its founding in 2011.{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/stratolaunch-abandons-launch-vehicle-program/|title=Stratolaunch abandons launch vehicle program|work=SpaceNews|date=18 January 2019|access-date=2019-02-06}} In April 2019, Jean Floyd remained CEO of Stratolaunch.[https://www.stratolaunch.com/2019/04/13/stratolaunch-aircraft-first-flight-press-briefing/ Stratolaunch Aircraft First Flight Press Briefing], 13 April 2019, accessed 19 September 2019.

On 31 May 2019, it was reported that the company would cease operations and that sale of its assets was being explored. In the event, the company remained in operation and posted job openings, including listings for test pilots, in September 2019. Stratolaunch rapidly grew their staff from just 13 employees in October 2019 to 87 employees by mid-December 2019. Stratolaunch currently has over 360 employees and contractors.

{{Main|Scaled Composites Stratolaunch}}

The Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or Roc is the world’s largest operating aircraft built by Scaled Composites for Stratolaunch Systems to carry air-launch-to-orbit (ALTO) rockets, and subsequently repurposed to offer air launch hypersonic flight testing after a change of ownership. It was announced in December 2011, rolled out in May 2017, and flew for the first time on April 13, 2019, shortly after the death of founder Paul Allen.

File:230113- Stratolaunch Talon Photo Chase-091.jpg

The aircraft features a twin-fuselage design and the longest wingspan ever flown, at 385 feet (117 m), surpassing the Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose" flying boat of 321 feet (98 m). The dual fuselage and high-wing design allow for multiple launch vehicles to attach and release from the aircraft centerline. The Stratolaunch is intended to carry a 550,000-pound (250 t) payload and has a 1,300,000-pound (590 t) maximum takeoff weight.

The carrier plane is powered by six Pratt & Whitney PW4000, {{cvt|46000|-|66500|lbf}} thrust-range jet engines, sourced from two used 747-400s that were cannibalized for engines, avionics, flight deck, landing gear and other proven systems to reduce initial development costs. The carrier is designed to have a range of {{cvt|2200|km|mi}} when flying an air launch mission.

File:Roc Flight Table 20.jpg

The first successful flight test was performed on April 13, 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-stratolaunch-idUSKCN1RQ00M|title=World's largest plane makes first flight over California|newspaper=Reuters|date=April 14, 2019|publisher=|access-date=June 1, 2019|via=www.reuters.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611233624/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-stratolaunch-idUSKCN1RQ00M|archive-date=June 11, 2019|url-status=live}} The aircraft flew for 2.5 hours, achieving a speed of {{cvt|304|km/h|mph|order=flip}} and altitudes up to {{cvt|17000|ft}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/stratolaunch-flight-longest-wingspan-1.5098063|title=World's biggest plane takes flight|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416014510/https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/stratolaunch-flight-longest-wingspan-1.5098063|archive-date=April 16, 2019|url-status=live}}

The carrier aircraft’s adaptable hardware attached to the center wing called pylon, was installed onto the carrier plane in April 2022 and is designed to carry and release Talon-A vehicles during flight. The structure is 14 ft wide, 19 ft long, and 10 ft tall and weighs 8,000 lb when empty. It is constructed mostly of aluminum with carbon fiber skins. Its structure contains approximately 10,000 bolts and 40,000 hardware components (bolts, nuts, washers, rivets). Although the design and integration planning spanned months, the physical installation of the pylon onto the carrier aircraft lasted 4 hours. There is approximately 7 ft. from lower wing surface to upper mini-wing surface. The bottom mini-wing surface is approximately 16 ft. off the ground. The release system functions using explosive/expendable bolts that are triggered at the pilot’s direction when the vehicle is ready to be released. 

As of June 12, 2024, the Stratolaunch carrier has flown a total of 20 times and prepares for continued flights carrying Talon hypersonic aircraft.{{Cite press release |last=Stratolaunch |title=Stratolaunch Completes 2nd Captive Carry Flight with TA-1 Test Vehicle |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stratolaunch-completes-2nd-captive-carry-flight-with-ta-1-test-vehicle-302070394.html |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}} As of March 9, 2024, the Stratolaunch carrier successfully released a powered supersonic test vehicle for the first time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2024/stratolaunch-test-vehicle-supersonic-powered-flight/|title=Stratolaunch's air-launched test vehicle goes supersonic in its first powered flight|access-date=March 12, 2024}}

{{Main|Spirit of Mojave}}

In May 2023, Stratolaunch announced the approval to acquire Virgin Orbit's modified Boeing 747 and its related parts and equipment, marking an expansion of the company’s air-launch fleet. The name “The Spirit of Mojave” refers to both the historic Spirit of St. Louis and the Mojave Air and Space Port community.{{Cite web |title=Spirit of Mojave |url=https://www.stratolaunch.com/vehicles/spirit-of-mojave/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=Stratolaunch |language=en}}

File:2023-12-05 - 747 Spirit of Mojave-0612.jpg

This 747 aircraft was formerly a passenger airliner with Virgin Atlantic and in 2015 was purchased by Virgin Orbit to be used as the first stage launch platform (or mothership launch pad) for the air launch stage of the satellite orbital launch vehicle, the LauncherOne. LauncherOne attempted its first launch on May 25, 2020; the launch was a failure. The first successful launch (second launch in total) took place on January 17, 2021. After the Virgin Orbit parent company declared bankruptcy in April 2023, this 747 was purchased on May 25, 2023 by Stratolaunch where the aircraft is undergoing modifications for its new mission. The 747 has flown 6 times with a total of 17.9 flight hours under Stratolaunch ownership. The aircraft is expected to be operational by mid-year 2024.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

{{clear}}

File:28 2023-12-09 - TA-2 First Light-0282.jpg

Originally proposed in 2018 as the Hyper-A, Stratolaunch is developing a reusable, rocket-powered, hypersonic flight vehicle called Talon-A that would be capable of flying at speeds of Mach 5 – Mach 7 (6,100–8,600 km/h; 3,800–5,300 mph). The aircraft is 28 ft (8.5 m) in length, with a wingspan of 11.3 ft (3.4 m), and is intended to have a launch mass of approximately 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) and be capable of runway landings.

In May 2021 Stratolaunch announced the Talon-A test vehicles TA-0 and TA-1 were structurally complete.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

TA-0 completed separation testing in 2023, demonstrating safe release and controlled flight before its glided descent into the Pacific Ocean.

TA-1 flew its first captive carry with live propellant onboard in December 2023. In March 2024 Stratolaunch announced completion of the first powered flight of TA-1, including a controlled ocean disposal.{{cite web | url=https://www.stratolaunch.com/news/stratolaunch-celebrates-first-powered-flight-of-ta1/ | title=Stratolaunch Celebrates First Powered Flight of TA-1 Test Vehicle }}

Future iterations of Talon-A will be testbeds carrying customizable payloads at speeds above Mach 5 with the capability for runway landings. Reuse would enable lower-cost access to sub-thermosphere hypersonic environments.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

The team is fabricating two additional vehicles, TA-2 and TA-3. A successful flight of TA-2 would make it the first fully reusable hypersonic test vehicle.

Further concepts, including Talon+ and a space plane, are listed on the company's website.{{Cite web |author1=Mike Wall |date=2023-12-04 |title=Stratolaunch's huge Roc plane flies with fueled-up hypersonic vehicle for 1st time (photos) |url=https://www.space.com/stratolaunch-roc-fueled-hypersonic-vehicle-test-flight |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

In 2011, Stratolaunch Systems signed a 20-year lease agreement with the Kern County Airport Authority, Mojave, California, for the lease of {{cvt|20|acre|m2}} at the Mojave Air and Space Port to build production and launch facilities.{{cite press release|url=http://stratolaunch.com/news.html|title=Stratolaunch Systems Signs Lease with Mojave Air and Space Port|date=May 31, 2011 |publisher=Stratolaunch Systems|location=Huntsville, Alabama|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107203545/http://stratolaunch.com/news.html|archive-date=January 7, 2012|access-date=December 14, 2011 |url-status=dead}} The company headquarters, engineering, manufacturing, and operations are all in Mojave, including production, test, and operations infrastructure.

By 2015, Stratolaunch had built a {{cvt|92400|sqft}} fabrication hangar and a {{cvt|107275|sqft}} assembly hangar located near Scaled Composites.{{cite web|url=http://stratolaunchsystems.com/news.html|title=Stratolaunch News|website=stratolaunchsystems.com|access-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706053316/http://stratolaunchsystems.com/news.html|archive-date=July 6, 2012|url-status=live}} The first of two manufacturing buildings, the "92,400 square foot facility [to] be used to construct the composite sections of the wing and fuselage sections", was opened for production in October 2012, two months ahead of schedule and on budget.{{cite news|last=Lindsay|first=Clark|title=Stratolaunch opens production facility at Mojave spaceport|url=http://newspacewatch.com/articles/stratolaunch-opens-production-facility-at-mojave-spaceport.html |access-date=October 27, 2012|newspaper=NewSpace Watch|date=October 23, 2012|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|last=Messier|first=Doug|title=A Birdzilla's Eye View of the Stratolaunch Hangar Under Construction|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/11/05/a-birdzillas-eye-view-of-the-stratolaunch-hangar-under-construction/|access-date=November 7, 2012|newspaper=Parabolic Arc |date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104103518/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/11/05/a-birdzillas-eye-view-of-the-stratolaunch-hangar-under-construction/|archive-date=November 4, 2013|url-status=live}} Stratolaunch completed their second Mojave building, the very large hangar facility for the Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft, in February 2013.{{cite news |last=Messier|first=Doug|title=Stratolaunch Systems Opens Hangar in Mojave|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/20/stratolaunch-systems-opens-hangar-in-mojave/|access-date=February 22, 2013 |newspaper=Parabolic Arc|date=February 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223023011/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/02/20/stratolaunch-systems-opens-hangar-in-mojave/|archive-date=February 23, 2013|url-status=live}}

On 31 May 2017, the first Stratolaunch carrier aircraft was towed from the Stratolaunch Mojave hangar to begin ground testing.{{cite web |date=May 31, 2017 |title=Paul Allen's colossal Stratolaunch plane emerges from its lair |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/allens-colossal-stratolaunch-plane-emerges-from-its-lair/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601230235/http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/allens-colossal-stratolaunch-plane-emerges-from-its-lair/ |archive-date=June 1, 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2017 |publisher=}}{{cite web|title=Meet the Stratolaunch, the world's largest airplane|url=https://www.cnet.com/pictures/meet-the-stratolaunch-the-worlds-largest-airplane/|website=www.cnet.com|publisher=Cnet|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405111206/https://www.cnet.com/pictures/meet-the-stratolaunch-the-worlds-largest-airplane/|archive-date=April 5, 2018|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Spaceflight}}

• White Knight One carrier aircraft
• White Knight Two carrier aircraft
• Comparison of orbital launch systems
• Airborne aircraft carrier
• Lockheed C-5 Galaxy launch of LGM-30 Minuteman
• North American X-15 earliest air-launched, crewed, sub-orbital spacecraft
• LauncherOne, Virgin Orbit's smaller scale proposal similar to StratoLaunch's
• Orbital Sciences Pegasus, a similar but smaller scale system
• Skylon
• Conroy Virtus, a proposed aircraft that could have been the shuttle launch vehicle

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Stratolaunch}}

• {{Official website|https://www.stratolaunch.com/}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh29Pm1Rrc0&feature=g-all&list=PL1AFCED329929AFD3 Original Video – Animation of Stratolaunch] with SpaceX Falcon 9 Air launch vehicle, December 2011.
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJFKUiuDBE Revised Video – Animation of Stratolaunch] with Orbital Pegasus II launch vehicle, June 2013.
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc6c8i9q2IE&feature=g-all Video – Stratolaunch Systems Press Conference 2011-12-13]
• [https://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/12/spaceflight Thinking big in space], The Economist, Dec 27, 2011.
• [http://www.high-frontier.org/stratolaunch-and-the-x-15/ Stratolaunch and the X-15]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBj3FCdYS80 Stratolaunch First Flight, with landing], Stratolaunch Systems, April 2019.

{{Portal bar|Space|Aviation}}

{{Stratolaunch}}

{{Vulcan Inc.}}

{{Cerberus Capital Management}}

Stratolaunch Systems

Stratolaunch Systems

Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch

Category:American companies established in 2011

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 2011

Category:Technology companies established in 2011

Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Mojave Air and Space Port

Category:Companies based in Kern County, California

Stratolaunch Systems