Big fat Stratolaunch plane tests all six of its engines
Remember the "Roc"? The awe-inspiring, gigantic carrier aircraft from Stratolaunch, the company owned by Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen?
Back in June, it was ready to make its first rollout for a series of tests, starting with fuel testing.
Well, this week the six-engine mothership completed its first round of engine testing, as tweeted by Allen:
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As explained by Stratolaunch in a blog, the engine testing was divided into three phases:
First as a ‘dry motor,’ where we used an auxiliary power unit to charge the engine. Next, as a ‘wet motor,’ where we introduced fuel. Finally, each engine was started one at a time and allowed to idle. In these initial tests, each of the six engines operated as expected.
With its 385-foot wingspan — longer than a football field — and 500,000-pound weight, the "Roc" is a big fat aircraft that will eventually carry up to three rockets and launch them into space — which sounds awesome.
Besides the fueling tests, the company trialled the flight control, the electrical, pneumatic, and fire detection systems.
"Over the next few months, we will continue to test the aircraft’s engines at higher power levels and varying configurations, culminating to the start of taxi tests," Jean Floyd, CEO at Stratolaunch, said.
Topics Microsoft Innovations
