Summary
- Roc aircraft completed second captive carry flight with Talon-A aboard, marking a significant milestone for Stratolaunch.
- Talon-A hypersonic vehicle operated in Vandenberg Western Range for the first time, setting the stage for future powered flight tests.
- Completion of recent flight provides essential data for program development, supporting Stratolaunch’s ambitious hypersonic goals.
Over the weekend, there was another celebration at Stratolaunch’s California facilities. On Saturday, the company announced that it completed its second captive carry flight with the first Talon-A hypersonic vehicle, TA-1, onboard its Roc carrier aircraft, which is designed to carry hypersonic vehicles. Completing the second captive carry test is a notable milestone for the company, further demonstrating the project’s progression.
2nd captive carry
The recent test flight was the manufacturer’s behemoth aircraft named Roc, the thirteenth carry flight and second captive carry flight where the Roc transported a Talon vehicle with live propellant aboard. The flight, which took off from Stratolaunch’s Mojave, California facility at e Mojave Air & Spaceport, lasted four hours and twenty-nine minutes and marked the first time TA-1 operated in the Vandenberg Western Range, which spans from the coastal boundaries of Vandenberg, California, westward to the Western Pacific Ocean. However, the payload craft was not separated from the carrier aircraft during the captive carry test. Aside from operating in the Vandenberg Western Range for the first time, the team at Stratolaunch had several additional objectives for the test.
Photo: Stratolaunch
Other objectives included evaluating Talon-A’s propulsion system and flight environments while carrying live propellant and verifying the Roc’s and TA-1’s telemetry systems simultaneously with range communication assets. The Roc flew to multiple locations on the flight to ensure all systems were ready for powered flight during the release sequence. Overall, the mission proved to be successful as it gave developers essential data that will be used to further program development. The recent flight was a step closer to Stratolaunch’s hypersonic ambitions as they have to complete the development of the reusable Talon-A by 2024. Moreover, it supports the company’s near-term goal of achieving a powered flight with the Talon-A aircraft.
Following the recent flight, Dr. Zachary Krevor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratolaunch, shared what the company’s next steps are, stating:
“Initial results of today’s flight look positive for each vehicle’s health and performance, and we will complete a comprehensive review of the test data to determine our next steps toward powered flight.”
Cool: This Airplane Has The Biggest Wingspan In The World
Meet Roc, the twin-fuselage mothership with a wingspan longer than an NFL football field.
The Roc
Roc, also known as the Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch, is one of the most enormous planes ever produced. Unlike massive aircraft used today to transport cargo or passengers from point to point, Roc serves a different purpose. Although it is built to transport other missiles, vehicles, and aircraft, it will also separate and launch its payload in flight. The behemoth jet operated its maiden flight on April 13, 2019. Furthermore, it is powered by six engines and is an astonishing 385 feet wide, giving it the widest wingspan in the world.
On the most recent test flight, the Roc hauled Stratolaunch’s Talon-A, its upcoming hypersonic testbed. Talon-A is a Mach 6-class aircraft designed to make hypersonic testing more frequent and to detach from its central airfoil on the Roc once it is in flight. Although TA-1 is the primary aircraft being tested, Stratolaunch is also developing two other aircraft, the TA-2 and TA-3, that will also be hauled by an airplane. TA-2 is slated to take flight later this year, pending the results of TA-1’s first powered flight, which is set to happen in the near term, according to Stratolaunch.
Photo: Stratolaunch
In addition to working on developing the Talon-A product line in December 2023, the company took delivery of a second launch platform, a Boeing 747-400 named Spirit of Mojave. It was acquired from Virgin Orbit and operated as Launcher One. Spirit of Mojave will augment Stratolaunch’s inflight test capability and ability to support its customers worldwide. The aircraft is currently undergoing modifications, including installing a launch pylon. Spirit of Mojave is expected to be operational in the first half of 2024.
‘Spirit Of Mojave’ Boeing 747 Added To Stratolaunch Fleet
The aircraft touched down at its new home in the Mojave Desert earlier this week.
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