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Stratolaunch: 'World's largest plane' lifts off for the first time | Stratolaunch: 'World's largest plane' lifts off for the first time |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The world's largest aeroplane by wingspan has taken flight for the first time. | The world's largest aeroplane by wingspan has taken flight for the first time. |
Built by Stratolaunch, the company set up by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2011, the aircraft is designed to act as a flying launch pad for satellites. | Built by Stratolaunch, the company set up by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2011, the aircraft is designed to act as a flying launch pad for satellites. |
The idea is to fly the plane to 10 km (6.2 miles) high before releasing satellites into orbit. | |
Its 385 ft (117 m) wingspan is the length of an American football field. | Its 385 ft (117 m) wingspan is the length of an American football field. |
If successful, such a project would be a cheaper way to launch objects into space than rockets fired from the ground. | If successful, such a project would be a cheaper way to launch objects into space than rockets fired from the ground. |
The twin-fuselage six-engine jet flew up to 15,000 ft (4,572m) and reached speeds of about 170 miles per hour (274 km/h) on its maiden flight. | The twin-fuselage six-engine jet flew up to 15,000 ft (4,572m) and reached speeds of about 170 miles per hour (274 km/h) on its maiden flight. |
The pilot Evan Thomas told reporters the experience was "fantastic" and that "for the most part, the airplane flew as predicted". | The pilot Evan Thomas told reporters the experience was "fantastic" and that "for the most part, the airplane flew as predicted". |
According to their website, Stratolaunch aims to "make access to orbit as routine as catching a commercial airline flight is today". | According to their website, Stratolaunch aims to "make access to orbit as routine as catching a commercial airline flight is today". |
British billionaire Richard Branson's company Virgin Galactic has also developed aircraft that launch rockets into orbit from great height. | British billionaire Richard Branson's company Virgin Galactic has also developed aircraft that launch rockets into orbit from great height. |
Stratolaunch describes its vessel as the "world's largest plane" but there are aircraft which are longer from nose to tail. | Stratolaunch describes its vessel as the "world's largest plane" but there are aircraft which are longer from nose to tail. |