avia.wikisort.org - Aeroplane

The Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or Roc is an aircraft built for Stratolaunch Systems by Scaled Composites to carry air-launch-to-orbit (ALTO) rockets. It was announced in December 2011 and rolled out in May 2017.[1] The aircraft features a twin-fuselage design and the longest wingspan ever flown, at 385 feet (117 m), surpassing the Hughes H-4 Hercules flying boat of 321 feet (98 m). 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. It should release its rocket at 35,000 ft (11,000 m).[2]

Stratolaunch
Role	Mother ship aircraft Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Scaled Composites
First flight	April 13, 2019[1]
Primary user	Stratolaunch Systems
Number built	1
Career
Other name(s)	Roc
Registration	N351SL
Flights	8

The aircraft flew for the first time on April 13, 2019, and shortly thereafter, the company announced it would halt development of its air-launched family of launch vehicles following the death of Stratolaunch founder Paul Allen in October 2018.[3] The company ceased operations the next month and placed all company assets, including the aircraft, for sale for US$400 million by June 2019.[4] Cerberus Capital Management acquired Stratolaunch Systems, including the Stratolaunch aircraft, in October 2019.[5] Stratolaunch announced in December 2019 that it would now be focusing on offering high-speed flight test services.[6]

History

Early development

In early 2011, Dynetics began studying the project and had approximately 40 employees working on it at the December 2011 public announcement. Stratolaunch originally planned to airlaunch the Falcon 9 Air by SpaceX, whose efforts began shortly before December.[7] Launching medium-sized payloads with the Falcon 9 dictated the aircraft size but SpaceX departed a year later.[8]

In May 2012, its specially constructed hangar was being built at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California.[9] In October 2012, the first of two manufacturing buildings, a 88,000 sq ft (8,200 m²) facility for construction of the composite sections of the wing and fuselage, was opened for production.[10]

In August 2013, the Pegasus II was selected for the air-launch vehicle.[11] In August 2014, all solid-fuel propulsion was selected, rather than liquid-fuel for the Orbital Sciences launcher.[12] In August 2015, 200,000 lb (91 t) of structure was assembled.[13]

By June 2016, Scaled Composites had 300 people working on the project.[14] Virgin Galactic also plans to launch small satellites with the LauncherOne from a 747.[15] Orbital ATK dropped its Thunderbolt rocket project for medium-class payloads.[8] In October 2016, the Pegasus II was replaced by multiple Pegasus XL mounted underneath the carrier aircraft, developments of the original Pegasus rocket which had been launched 42 times since 1990.[16]

Testing

By May 1, 2017, Stratolaunch had already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the project.[8] On May 31, 2017, the aircraft was rolled out for fueling tests, and to be prepared for ground testing, engine runs, taxi tests, and ultimately, first flight. The company stated that it was aiming for a 2019 first-launch demonstration.[17] The Register newspaper in 2017 reported that Stratolaunch may have competition from the DARPA XS-1 or from Vector Space Systems by 2019.[18] By September 2017, engine testing was underway as well as testing of "control surfaces and electric, pneumatic and fire detection systems."[19] In December 2017, its first low-speed taxi test took it to 25 knots (46 km/h) on the runway, powered by its six turbofans, to test its steering, braking, and telemetry.[20] Higher-speed taxi tests began in 2018, reaching 40 knots (74 km/h) in February,[21] and 78 knots (144 km/h) in October.[22] On January 9, 2019, Stratolaunch completed a 110 knots (200 km/h) taxi test, and released a photograph of the nose landing gear lifted off the ground during the test.[23]

In January 2019, three months after the death of Stratolaunch founder and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Stratolaunch abandoned the development of its PGA rocket engines and dedicated launchers. This left the Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL as the sole launch option for an orbital capability of 800 lb (360 kg). Stratolaunch was then reported to be aiming for a first flight within a few weeks and a first launch from the carrier in 2020.[24]

The aircraft first flew on April 13, 2019, at the Mojave Air and Space Port, reaching 17,000 feet (5,200 m) and speed of 165 knots (306 km/h) in a 2 hours 29 minutes flight.[25]

Development halt and sale

The future of Stratolaunch had been in doubt since the death of company founder Paul Allen in October 2018, with speculation that Stratolaunch Systems could cease operations.[26] Allen had been the source of funds for the capital-intensive development program since the project began in 2010, and the company founding in 2011.[3]

In January 2019, Stratolaunch announced it was halting development of its air-launched family of launch vehicles.[3]

On May 31, 2019, the company announced that it would cease operations and that sale of its assets was being explored. An asking price of US$400 million was reported, which would include the sole aircraft, the company facilities, equipment, the designs and other intellectual property.[26][27] In June 2019 the Stratolaunch Systems company and assets were put up for sale by Vulcan for $400 million.[4]

By October 11, Stratolaunch announced it had new ownership and that it would continue regular operations, but did not disclose the identity of the investors.[28] In December, the new owner was revealed to be Cerberus Capital Management, a specialist in the acquisition of distressed companies.[5] After the acquisition, Stratolaunch is now focusing on offering high-speed flight test services.[6]

Post-ownership change

By early 2020, Stratolaunch was developing the Talon-A reusable, rocket-powered, hypersonic flight vehicle (the Vulcan Aerospace Hyper-A concept in 2018). It could be carried by the airplane from 2022, up to three at once from 2023, and a larger concept vehicle, the Talon-Z, could carry cargo or people to orbit.[29] The Stratolaunch made its second flight on April 29, 2021.[30] Third flight took place on January 16, 2022, from Mojave Air and Space Port; the flight lasted 4 hours 23 minutes and reached altitude of over 23,490 feet (7,160 m) and top speed of 330 km/h (180 kn).[31] On 24 February 2022, the Stratolaunch made its fourth flight.[32]

Design

Stratolaunch has a twin-fuselage configuration, each 238 ft (73 m) long and supported by 12 main landing gear wheels and two nose gear wheels, for a total of 28 wheels.[17] The twin-fuselage configuration is similar to the Scaled Composites White Knight Two.[14] Each fuselage has its own empennage.[33]

The pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer are accommodated in the right fuselage cockpit.[2] The flight data systems are in the left fuselage.[34][35] The left fuselage cockpit is unmanned with storage space for up to 2,500lb of mission specific support equipment. Both fuselage cockpits are pressurized and separated by a composite pressure bulkhead from the remainder of the unpressurized vehicle.[36]

At 385 ft (117 m), it is the largest plane by wingspan, greater than a 300 ft (91 m) American football field.[17] The main center section is made up of four primary composite spars supported by four secondary spars.[36] The center section of the high-mounted, high aspect ratio wing is fitted with a Mating and Integration System (MIS), developed by Dynetics and capable of handling a 490,000 lb (220 t) load.[37] The wing houses six main and two auxiliary fuel tanks, with the main tanks located inboard adjacent to an engine. The auxiliary tanks are located in the inboard wing where the load-carrying structure joins the fuselage.[36]

Stratolaunch is powered by six Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines positioned on pylons outboard of each fuselage,[38] providing 56,750 lbf (252.4 kN) of thrust per engine.[39] Many of the aircraft systems have been adopted from the Boeing 747-400, including the engines, avionics, flight deck, landing gear and other systems, reducing development costs.[7]

The flight controls include 12 cable-driven ailerons powered by hydraulic actuators, split rudders, and horizontal stabilizers on twin tail units. The wing has 14 electrically signaled, hydraulically actuated trailing-edge split flaps that also act as speed brakes. The hydraulic system and actuators, electrical system, avionics, pilot controls, and flight deck are from donor B747-400s. Approximately 250,000 lb of the aircraft's takeoff weight of 1,300,000 lb is from B747-400 components.[36]

It will require 12,000 ft (3,700 m) of runway to lift-off.[7] It should release its rocket at 35,000 ft (11,000 m).[2] It will carry a 550,000 lb (250 t) payload.[8] With a Pegasus II, it could deliver up to 13,500 lb (6.1 t) satellites to LEO or 4,500 lb (2.0 t) to a 15° GTO.[10] It could launch a Dream Chaser small spaceplane capable of transporting astronauts or payloads within 24 hours.[40][41] The stated goal is to carry up to three Orbital ATK "Pegasus XL" rockets for high-altitude launches by 2022.[42][43]

Within Scaled Composites, its model number is M351.[44] It is nicknamed "Roc" after Sinbad's Roc, the mythical bird so big it could carry an elephant.[2]

Specifications (Model 351 Stratolaunch)

Data from Stratolaunch[38]

General characteristics

• Length: 238 ft (73 m) [17]
• Wingspan: 385 ft (117 m) [17]
• Height: 50 ft (15 m) [17]
• Empty weight: 500,000 lb (226,796 kg) [17]
• Gross weight: 750,000 lb (340,194 kg) with no external payload[17]
• Max takeoff weight: 1,300,000 lb (589,670 kg) [17]
• External payload: 550,000 lb (250,000 kg)[17]
• Powerplant: 6 × Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan, 56,750 lbf (252.4 kN) thrust each [39]

Performance

• Maximum speed: 460 kn (530 mph, 850 km/h) [13]
• Range: 1,000 nmi (1,200 mi, 1,900 km) radius[45]
• Ferry range: 2,500 nmi (2,900 mi, 4,600 km) [10]
• Service ceiling: 35,000[2] ft (11,000 m) with payload

See also

• Airborne aircraft carrier
• Air-launched ballistic missile

Related development

• Pegasus rocket
• Scaled Composites White Knight

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Conroy Virtus

Related lists

• List of large aircraft

References

External links

• Original Video – Animation of Stratolaunch with SpaceX Falcon 9 Air launch vehicle, December 2011.
• Stratolaunch First Flight, with landing, Stratolaunch Systems, April 2019.
• Stratolaunch Systems, A Paul G. Allen Project. YouTube. Vulcan Inc. December 13, 2011.
• Stratolaunch Systems Press Conference. YouTube. Ian Benecken. December 13, 2011.
• W.J. Hennigan (December 14, 2011). "Paul Allen to build behemoth plane for space launches". The Los Angeles Times.
• Guy Norris (February 25, 2015). "Inside The Roc's Lair". Aviation Week.

На других языках

---

[de] Scaled Composites Stratolaunch

Die Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch, auch Roc genannt (nach dem Fabelvogel Roch),[3] ist ein vom US-amerikanischen Unternehmen Scaled Composites in Mojave gebautes und von Stratolaunch Systems betriebenes Flugzeug, das als Startplattform für Trägerraketen und Raumgleiter vorgesehen ist. Auf die Flügelspannweite bezogen ist es das größte bisher gebaute Flugzeug. Der Erstflug fand am 13. April 2019 statt. Ein Serienbau ist nicht geplant.

---

- [en] Scaled Composites Stratolaunch

---

[fr] Stratolaunch

Le Stratolaunch de la firme américaine Scaled Composites est un avion géant hexaréacteur à double fuselage développé pour servir d'avion-porteur à un lanceur aéroporté de moyenne puissance. Il est nommé en 2021 le Roc ou Rokh. Ce projet est lancé en 2011 et financé par le milliardaire Paul Allen, cofondateur de Microsoft. La société Stratolaunch Systems est créée pour superviser la réalisation de l'ensemble. La conception de l'avion est confiée à Burt Rutan. Le Stratolaunch se caractérise par un double fuselage et une aile droite d'une envergure de 117 mètres. Il peut emporter sous la poutre reliant les deux fuselages une fusée d'une masse maximale de 227 tonnes pour une masse totale au décollage de 590 tonnes.

---

[it] Scaled Composites Stratolaunch

Lo Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch, comunemente conosciuto come Stratolaunch è un aereo da trasporto costruito dalla Scaled Composites per conto della Stratolaunch Systems al fine di trasportare razzi utilizzati per la messa in orbita di satelliti.

---

[ru] Scaled Composites Stratolaunch Model 351

Stratolaunch Model 351 — американский самолёт-носитель, элемент авиационно-космической системы воздушного старта Stratolaunch.

---

---