This Star Wars Day, the biggest airplane ever built, completed its fifth test flight.
The largest airplane in the world is the Roc, made by the hypersonic vehicle company Stratolaunch. The aircraft is designed to carry vehicles into the air. After its last test flight in February, Roc, which looks like a double airplane, aced its fifth flight. The tests will make sure that Roc is ready to do its job.
The force is strong in this plane and our team is busy analyzing the data gathered today.
The world's largest plane is in action.
The force is strong in this plane. Roc has successfully landed back at Mojave Air and Space Port and our team is already busy analyzing the data gathered today. #Maythe4thBeWithYou #LetsRoc pic.twitter.com/XK7jz6SEETMay 4, 2022
See more
A chase plane tailed Roc as it took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. A new pylon on the wing of the aircraft will help it achieve its ultimate goal of carrying hypersonic vehicles.
Practice makes perfect. The landing gear testing that occurred during the fourth flight test is being continued by the team.
Practice makes perfect! Building on the landing gear testing that occurred during the fourth flight test, the team is continuing tests gear operations through mid-air cycling of the system. pic.twitter.com/Kb5jZigx8wMay 4, 2022
See more
The team focused on flight envelope expansion and validation of the recently installed pylon that will carry and release Talon hypersonic vehicles.
The new pylon is 15 feet square.
Paul Allen, a Microsoft co-founder, started the company to develop an alternative way to launch satellites. The first test flight of Roc took place in 2019. In 2020 it was announced that it had shifted its focus to flying hypersonic vehicles after the first flight test.
The goal is to loft vehicles that fly at Mach 5, five times faster than the speed of sound.
The company started construction on a prototype hypersonic vehicle in 2020. The Talon-A will be 28 feet long, weighing in at 6,000 pounds, and is designed to fly as fast as Mach 6 or six times the speed of sound.
The company is aiming to have the pair ready for full operational capability by mid-to-late 2023, company representatives have said.
If you want to follow her, email her at cgohd@space.com. Follow us on social media.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
