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Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch


Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch in flight over the city of Los Angeles (2023)
General information
Other name(s) Roc
Type Mother ship aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Scaled Composites
Status Retired from experimental service
Primary user Stratolaunch Systems
Number built 1
Registration N351SL
Flights 16
History
First flight April 13, 2019

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History  Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or Roc
Flights 16 History First flight April 13, 2019



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 subsequently repurposed to offer air launch hypersonic flight testing after a change of ownership. It was announced in December 2011, rolled out in May 2017, and flew for the first time on April 13, 2019, shortly after the death of founder Paul Allen. The aircraft features a twin-fuselage design and the longest wingspan ever flown, at 385 feet (117 m), surpassing the Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose" flying boat of 321 feet (98 m). The Stratolaunch is intended to carry a 550,000-pound (250 t) payload and has a 1,300,000-pound (590 t) maximum takeoff weight.

Design

Stratolaunch compared with other large airplanes

Stratolaunch has a twin-fuselage configuration, each 238 ft (73 m) long and supported by 12 main landing gear wheels and two nose gear wheels, for a total of 28 wheels. The twin-fuselage configuration is similar to the Scaled Composites White Knight Two. Each fuselage has its own empennage.

The pilot, copilot, and flight engineer are accommodated in the right fuselage cockpit. The flight data systems are in the left fuselage. The left fuselage cockpit is unmanned with storage space for up to 2,500 lb of mission-specific support equipment. Both fuselage cockpits are pressurized and separated by a composite pressure bulkhead from the remainder of the unpressurized vehicle.

At 385 ft (117 m), it is the largest plane by wingspan, greater than a 300 ft (91 m) American football field. The main center section is made up of four primary composite spars supported by four secondary spars. The center section of the high-mounted, high aspect ratio wing is fitted with a Mating and Integration System (MIS), developed by Dynetics and capable of handling a 490,000 lb (220 t) load. The wing houses six main and two auxiliary fuel tanks, with the main tanks located inboard adjacent to an engine. The auxiliary tanks are located in the inboard wing where the load-carrying structure joins the fuselage.

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Gallery

 Photo Gallery
Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or Roc
Flights 16 History First flight April 13, 2019 

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Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or Roc
Flights 16 History First flight April 13, 2019

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General characteristics

        • Length: 238 ft (73 m)
        • Wingspan: 385 ft (117 m)
        • Height: 50 ft (15 m)
        • Empty weight: 500,000 lb (226,796 kg)
        • Gross weight: 750,000 lb (340,194 kg) with no external payload
        • Max takeoff weight: 1,300,000 lb (589,670 kg)
        • External payload: 550,000 lb (250,000 kg)
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  • Powerplants

      • Center wing length: 95 ft (29 m)
      • Height under center wing: 24 ft (7.3 m)
      • Distance between fuselage (and quadricycle landing gear) center lines: 106 ft (32 m)
      • Powerplant: 6 × Pratt & Whitney PW4056 turbofan, 56,750 lbf (252.4 kN) thrust each
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Specifications

  • Maximum speed: 460 kn (530 mph, 850 km/h)
  • Range: 1,000 nmi (1,200 mi, 1,900 km) radius
  • Ferry range: 2,500 nmi (2,900 mi, 4,600 km)
  • Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (11,000 m) with payload
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See Also

Special Links Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch or Roc Flights 16 History First flight April 13, 2019

Links to Youtube & Others

Before forming Scaled Composites, Burt Rutan had designed several aircraft for amateur builders, including the VariEze, often considered one of general aviation's most innovative designs

Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch

Each of the twin fuselages of the aircraft is 238 feet (73 m) long. 

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Youtube Link

Scaled Composites Model 351 (nicknamed the "Roc") was built for Stratolaunch Systems to provide a platform from which air-launch space missions can be staged

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Aircrafttotal : Scaled Composites Stratolauncher nicknamed "Roc" after the mythical bird

Read more in Scaled Composites Aviation

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