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World's largest plane launches rocket-powered hypersonic vehicle

Written by Noel Budeguer
Published 21/03/2024 às 14:41
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Recently, a historic test was carried out over the Pacific Ocean, which marks an important milestone for space exploration and the advancement of this technology.

Recently, a historic test was carried out over the Pacific Ocean, which marks an important milestone for space exploration and the advancement of this technology.

Have you ever heard of hypersonic flights? These incredible innovations of aviation allow vehicles to fly at five times the speed of sound, which is truly impressive. Recently, a historic test was carried out over the Pacific Ocean, which marks an important milestone for space exploration and the advancement of this technology.

The company Stratolaunch carried out a pioneering hypersonic flight test using the largest plane on the planet, the gigantic Stratolaunch Roc. Departing from California, this plane had the special mission of launching the Talon A1, an experimental vehicle shaped like a dart, designed to reach incredibly high speeds. During the flight, the Stratolaunch Roc, with its impressive 117 meter wingspan, dropped the Talon A1 in Central Asia.

The success of this test marks a pivotal moment for Stratolaunch and the entire industry aerospace. The Talon-A1, powered by the powerful Hadley rocket engine built by Ursa Major, reached supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5 during flight. It's just a taste of the incredible potential of this revolutionary technology.

Talon-A1 experimental vehicle

Stratolaunch Roc

The Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch, or Roc, is an aircraft built by Scaled Composites for Stratolaunch Systems to carry air-launch-to-orbit (ALTO) rockets, and later repurposed to offer hypersonic flight testing following a change of ownership. It was announced in December 2011, launched in May 2017 and first flew on April 13, 2019, shortly after founder Paul Allen's death.

The aircraft features a twin-fuselage design and the largest wingspan ever flown at 117 meters (385 feet), surpassing the 4-meter (98 feet) Hughes H-321 Hercules “Spruce Goose” flying boat. The Stratolaunch is intended to carry a payload of 250 tons (550.000 pounds) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 590 tons (1.300.000 pounds).

Stratolaunch Roc, with its impressive 117 meter wingspan, carrying the Talon A1

Advances and Future Research

Although specific details about altitude and speed were not released for confidentiality reasons, StratoLaunch said the data collected during the test will be essential to the advancement of hypersonic technology and future research.

This research will include improving the Hadley rocket engine, which performed flawlessly during testing, exceeding all expectations. The ability to fly at fantastic speeds will open new horizons in the Earth's atmosphere, enabling space exploration and significant advances in aviation. The potential of this technology is truly promising.

Advances in aviation, such as hypersonic flights, open up new possibilities for space exploration and air transport at incredible speeds. 

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Noel Budeguer

Of Argentine nationality, I am a news writer and specialist in the field. I cover topics such as science, oil, gas, technology, the automotive industry, renewable energy and all trends in the job market.

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