Monday, March 11, 2024

Stratolaunch Successfully Launches Test Vehicle

Mojave-based Stratolaunch, the developer of a massive airplane and hypersonic testing vehicle, says it has had its first, powered flight of its Talon-A test vehicle, the TA-1. According to the company, the company was able to have a safe safe air-launch release of the TA-1 vehicle, engine ignition, acceleration, sustained climb in altitude, and a controlled water landing of its TA-1 vehicle on March 9th. The company launched its massive airplane--the Roc--from Mojave Air and Space Port. Stratolaunch said, as part of its testing, that it has also begun modifying its new Boeing 747-400, the Spirit of Mojave, for another test vehicle, as well. That Boeing 747-400 was picked up for pennies on the dollar by Stratolaunch from Virgin Orbit's bankruptcy sale. Stratolaunch originally was founded by now deceased Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, but has since been acquired by others and refocused on hypersonic aerospace testing, rather than the billionaire space race.