Dear Mr. Allen, please let your big bird take flight soon. Signed, everyone
The oh-so-massive Stratolaunch aircraft seems to be getting a little bit closer to taking flight. Last year, Stratolaunch Systems Corp. began ground-based tests of the 72.5-meter-long airplane, which culminated in December with runway tests that saw the vehicle roll at speeds of up to 28mph in Mojave, California.
Now, the Stratolaunch plane has pushed those ground-based cruising speeds even faster. According to the company's founder, Paul Allen, the Stratolaunch aircraft reached a top taxi speed of 46mph this weekend, "with all flight surfaces in place." These tests are part of a regimen to certify the aircraft's ability to steer and stop. The company also released new photos of the plane taken during these tests that further demonstrate its incredible scale.
Read 4 remaining paragraphs | Comments