Mon, Dec 26, 2011
Recently Announced Stratolaunch Project "Will Revolutionize
Space"
The recent announcement by Stratolaunch Systems that it is
building the largest aircraft ever constructed will increase the
commercial space portfolio of Northrop Grumman, which counts
Stratolaunch partner Scaled Composites as a subsidiary. Scaled is
developing an air-launch system for Stratolaunch Systems, which is
a Paul G. Allen project that he says will revolutionize space
transportation by providing orbital access to space at lower costs,
greater safety and increased flexibility.
"This private spaceflight initiative represents a significant
leap forward in defining technologies today which will open doors
tomorrow for affordable commercial space transportation," said Paul
Meyer, vice president and general manager of advanced programs and
technologies for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Whether it be
manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems or advanced
technologies, we are focused on developing innovative solutions
that enable the growth of the aerospace industry."
With a gross takeoff weight of more than 1.2 million pounds, the
carrier aircraft will have a wingspan of 385 feet - greater than
the length of a football field - and takeoff and land from a runway
that is at least 12,000 feet long. Using six 747 engines, the
aircraft will fly over 1,300 nautical miles to reach an optimal
launch point for 10,000 pound-class payloads. The development work
will take place in Mojave, Calif.
The Stratolaunch project marks the next step in space travel
that began with the development of SpaceShip One, the first
privately funded manned spacecraft to fly beyond the earth's
atmosphere.
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