The StratoLaunch Plane

Aviation is one of the few things which shows the real advancement in human technology. A single idea on how to fly now brought you the largest plane (by wingspan) with wing length nearly equal to the size of an American football stadium. It is also the largest all-composite plane.

The StratoLaunch Plane 

The gigantic plane with 73 meters (238 ft) length stands in number one position as the largest plane known to humanity. This beast consists of two fuselages of 73 meter each connected to a common wing of 117 meters ( 385 ft) span. The six powerful Boeing 747 engines, three on either side allows a maximum payload capacity of 226,796 kgs (650 US tons). The operation range of this longwing is near to a distance of 1,852 km.

StratoLaunch Plane

StratoLaunch plane was built with a mission to carry the small, medium space launch vehicles to a certain altitude and launch the space vehicle from that height giving it initial boost and less altitude. This carrying is made possible with the center wing, which is provided not just for stability but also lift and holding multiple launch vehicles. The center wing indeed allows the plane to carry a load of 226,796 kgs and launch them in mid-air with any inclination as required.

How can the StratoLaunch Plane be used to launch spacecrafts?

The center wing, as discussed above, is used to hold the launch vehicle with required inclination. The plane that is released from the ground with enough fuel, reach to and return from 35 km above sea level.  Once the plane reaches an altitude of 35 km, the ignition of the space craft kicks in and  launched to space with an initial boost from the aircraft and with less altitude to reach. Once the launch is done, the plane lands back and gets ready for another mission.

The plane maneuvering for launching a Rocket

This type of launching, in turn reduces the costs by lowering dead weight, need for powerful engines, and decreases the fuel. The only outline constrain is the limit of the size of the launch vehicle. It can only carry Space Shuttles and few Medium-Launch Vehicles (both moderate and heavy).