The manufacturing of the Stratolaunch Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle has begun. The upper skin layup tool and prototype upper skin are giving us a peak at what’s to come. One. Step. Closer #Stratolaunch #onestepcloser #ThinkBig #BreakingBarriers
The upper skin layup tool and prototype upper skin are giving us a peak at what’s to come.
Partner testing on our first engine is complete! We’re excited to receive our first engine as a result of our partnership with @ursamajortech. We are now good to go for delivery. #stratolaunch #ursamajortech #thinkbig #breakingbarriers
https://twitter.com/stratolaunch/status/1321532490998140928Quote Partner testing on our first engine is complete! We’re excited to receive our first engine as a result of our partnership with @ursamajortech. We are now good to go for delivery. #stratolaunch #ursamajortech #thinkbig #breakingbarriers
Did we already know that Ursa Major were providing the engine, and I just missed that?
Quote from: JEF_300 on 10/28/2020 06:59 pmDid we already know that Ursa Major were providing the engine, and I just missed that?I suspected as much when I saw their hotfire video (see Reply #2633) and the engine looked like it was on the Ursa Major test stand. I think this is the first public acknowledgement of the relationship however.
My best guess would be that the engine is the Hadley ( 5000 lbf/22.2kN ), not the more powerful Ripley. Any other eyes concur? 5000 lbf seems to scale appropriately to the size of the Talon-A vehicle.
https://twitter.com/stratolaunch/status/1318600964450840578Quote The manufacturing of the Stratolaunch Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle has begun. The upper skin layup tool and prototype upper skin are giving us a peak at what’s to come. One. Step. Closer #Stratolaunch #onestepcloser #ThinkBig #BreakingBarriers
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/20/2020 05:15 pmhttps://twitter.com/stratolaunch/status/1318600964450840578Quote The manufacturing of the Stratolaunch Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle has begun. The upper skin layup tool and prototype upper skin are giving us a peak at what’s to come. One. Step. Closer #Stratolaunch #onestepcloser #ThinkBig #BreakingBarriersIs anyone else astonished at the progress of this thing? It was announced in March 2020. They've gone from "We're going to do this" to "We're in prototype for the upper skin" in 7 months. Obviously they must have been doing some spadework before they got there but that is quite impressive. My problem with composites is that they look great, very sleek and smooth, but their high temperature capabilities are limited. Either that skin can run at full speed for a very short time or it's going to need a TPS. If I'm right the TPS set's the test duration.
The upper half of the vehicle, which is shown in production there, might not need much TPS besides thermal blankets, or even ablative paint, if you're willing to re-paint it every time. I believe that the leading edge (which you'll notice is not a part of this layup) takes the brunt of aerothermal effects, with some focus on the underside due to needing lift, but IANARS. Regardless, they're definitely more on the hardware-rich side of things, which is a good look at the moment, especially for a company that changed direction so recently.(Also, because I'm a pedant, they should've used "peek", not "peak". "Giving us a peak" means something else )
Engine runs under the Mojave sun! This week's test were a success as we continue to prepare for our next flight. #stratolaunch #thinkbig #breakingbarriers
We are very happy to share that Stratolaunch has chosen @Calspan_Corp to build and test models of our fully reusable Talon-A autonomous, liquid rocket-powered Mach 6-class #hypersonic vehicle. Initial test to be conducted at Calspan’s Transonic Wind Tunnel in Buffalo, NY.
Performing nose gear door swings to better prepare us for our next flight and first launch. #stratolaunch #thinkbig #breakingbarriers
First engine start on our carrier aircraft this morning as the team begins a series of taxi tests over the next few days. Despite the challenges of the COVID restrictions, our team worked hard to get Roc ready for today. Looking forward to Roc taking to the skies early next year
It was a Majestic day of taxi testing. Congratulations to the team for multiple successful runs down the runway! More test tomorrow and video to follow. #stratolaunch #aviation #aerospace #thinkbig #breakingbarriers
Stratolaunch's massive carrier aircraft, known as the Roc, was on the runway for some low speed taxi tests today. Another box checked ahead of its next flight! @Stratolaunch @NASASpaceflight
Christmas came early! Witness the first SL-1 rocket engine designed for Talon A. Kudos to the team from @ursamajortech for their great partnership. One. Step. closer. Happy Holidays! #stratolaunch #breakingbarriers #thinkbig #aerospace
