Stratolaunch Aerospace Company
Stratolaunch is a unique aerospace company that focuses on developing high-altitude launch systems for satellite deployment. It was founded in 2011 by Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company’s flagship product is the Stratolaunch aircraft, which holds the record for the largest wingspan ever built, measuring at 385 feet (117 meters).
The Stratolaunch aircraft is a massive twin-fuselage plane that is designed to carry rockets to an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668 meters), where they can be released and launched into space. The goal of Stratolaunch is to provide a more flexible and cost-effective way to launch satellites into orbit, bypassing traditional ground-based launch facilities and avoiding weather constraints. The company aims to tap into the growing demand for satellite launches, particularly for small and medium-sized satellites for communications, remote sensing, and scientific research.
Stratolaunch has partnered with several aerospace companies, including Northrop Grumman and SpaceX, to develop and test rocket systems for its aircraft. The company has conducted successful test flights of the Stratolaunch aircraft, demonstrating its capability to carry rockets and release them in mid-air for launch. Stratolaunch’s innovative approach to satellite launches has garnered attention from the aerospace industry and has the potential to disrupt the traditional space launch market.
References:
- Stratolaunch official website: https://www.stratolaunch.com/
- “Stratolaunch: The world’s largest plane takes flight” – BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47891991
- “Stratolaunch Conducts Historic First Flight of Aircraft” – Stratolaunch Press Release: https://www.stratolaunch.com/news-and-updates/2019/4/13/stratolaunch-conducts-historic-first-flight-of-aircraft
- “Stratolaunch reveals hypersonic vehicle plans” – SpaceNews: https://spacenews.com/stratolaunch-reveals-hypersonic-vehicle-plans/