The massive Stratolaunch aircraft — the world’s largest in terms of wingspan — completed its maiden flight in California on Saturday. The aircraft, which could one day serve as a launch vehicle for satellites, stayed in the air for 2.5 hours before its test pilots brought it safely back to base.
With its six engines, twin fuselage, and the world’s longest wingspan, the giant Stratolaunch jet took off from a California runway on Saturday as it embarked on its maiden flight.
The Stratolaunch was the brainchild of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and could one day be used as part of a cost-effective system for getting satellites into space.
The aircraft’s 28 wheels left the ground for the very first time at 6:58 a.m. PT from the Mojave Air and Space Port about 70 miles north of Los Angeles. It stayed in the skies over the Mojave Desert for 2.5 hours, achieving a maximum speed of 189 mph (143 kmh) at altitudes of up to 17,000 feet (5,182 meters).
During the outing, the Stratolaunch’s test pilots evaluated its performance and handling before bringing the plane safely back to base.
