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Science & Technology
World's largest plane with 2 cockpits, 28 wheels and 6 jet engines could launch astronauts into space on a Shuttle-sized rocket
2018-03-08
[Mail] The world's largest plane could be used to launch a secretive Shuttle-sized rocket codenamed 'Black Ice' into space, according to its creator.

Stratolaunch has a wingspan longer than a football field and comes equipped with two cockpits, 28 wheels and six engines normally used to power 747 jumbo jets.

It will be used to transport rockets carrying satellites and other objects into the Earth's upper atmosphere, where they will blast off into space.

One such payload, Black Ice, will be designed to last at least three days in the harsh environment of space and will be around the same size as the Space Shuttle used by Nasa until 2011.

It could run supplies to the International Space Station, deliver science experiments into orbit and - once it has been deemed safe enough - even carry astronauts into space.
Posted by:Skidmark

#11  Fuselage symmetry - sure.
Windows - not so much.
Posted by: Anomalous Sources   2018-03-08 18:31  

#10  re#2: Suspect the visual symmetry. It would balance out the airloads if nothing else.

Kelly once said something about an airplane that looks fast usually is.

Of course Leroy Grumman said, an airplane that looks ugly is usually an A-6....
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2018-03-08 18:19  

#9  They should just build a launch rail up the side of a mountain range to get the thing up to speed without using its own power-fuel and would have fewer points of failure.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2018-03-08 12:56  

#8  Re #2: Found it!:


Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspiracy   2018-03-08 12:52  

#7  I predict structural failure. Posted by Herb Peacock

That could be catastrophic Herb.
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-03-08 12:00  

#6  I predict structural failure.
Posted by: Herb Peacock6456   2018-03-08 11:58  

#5  16 photos link
Posted by: Bobby   2018-03-08 11:14  

#4  Updated version of the Spruce Goose?
Posted by: JohnQC   2018-03-08 10:33  

#3  Shuttle-sized? Space Shuttle-sized? Perhaps you could take that up with this super-plane but why would you? The shuttle was extra large because of idiot thinking that it would be cheap and could replace heavy launch vehicles. It's cheaper and safer to send up payloads desperately so you can shrink your shuttle down significantly.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2018-03-08 10:20  

#2  "The left-hand fuselage has what looks like a cockpit with windows to onlookers, but the section is in fact empty and unpressurised."

So, what's with the windows? I wonder what Ben Rich and "Kelly" Johnson would have to say about the necessity of visual symmetry. Unless.....
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspiracy   2018-03-08 08:16  

#1  I had a model something like that back in the 50-60s.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2018-03-08 07:48  

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