Author Topic: Stratolaunch: General Company and Development Updates and Discussions (Read 1052210 times)

Robotbeat · « **Reply #2680 on:** 05/01/2021 06:29 pm »

Did they fly the whole flight with the gear down?

Nomadd · « **Reply #2681 on:** 05/01/2021 07:37 pm »

I'd hate to see that monster turned into a museum attraction. I wonder how big a cargo pod they could hang from that thing. Might be a market in hauling 250 ton payloads.

jdon759 · « **Reply #2682 on:** 05/02/2021 10:32 am »

Quote from: Nomadd on 05/01/2021 07:37 pm

I'd hate to see that monster turned into a museum attraction. I wonder how big a cargo pod they could hang from that thing. Might be a market in hauling 250 ton payloads.

I was thinking that too, back when Paul Allen died. Unfortunately, Roc seems to have an extremely limited range, and would only be useful for quite short flights.

nacnud · « **Reply #2683 on:** 05/02/2021 10:39 am »

Quote from: jdon759 on 05/02/2021 10:32 am

I was thinking that too, back when Paul Allen died. Unfortunately, Roc seems to have an extremely limited range, and would only be useful for quite short flights.

Well how far are suitable airports apart? It's unlikely that 250 tonne single piece lumps of cargo are time limited.

Robotbeat · « **Reply #2684 on:** 05/02/2021 01:17 pm »

Quote from: jdon759 on 05/02/2021 10:32 am

Quote from: Nomadd on 05/01/2021 07:37 pm
I'd hate to see that monster turned into a museum attraction. I wonder how big a cargo pod they could hang from that thing. Might be a market in hauling 250 ton payloads.

I was thinking that too, back when Paul Allen died. Unfortunately, Roc seems to have an extremely limited range, and would only be useful for quite short flights.

Maybe it could be upgraded...

Nomadd · « **Reply #2685 on:** 05/02/2021 03:54 pm »

Quote from: jdon759 on 05/02/2021 10:32 am

Quote from: Nomadd on 05/01/2021 07:37 pm
I'd hate to see that monster turned into a museum attraction. I wonder how big a cargo pod they could hang from that thing. Might be a market in hauling 250 ton payloads.

I was thinking that too, back when Paul Allen died. Unfortunately, Roc seems to have an extremely limited range, and would only be useful for quite short flights.

It's probably just fuel capacity. Should be simple to figure with some fuel burn numbers. The engines are definitely capable of range. Fuselages are probably empty, so it depends on if they're structurally capable of handling tanks.
Flying with three M1 tanks hanging from the wing would be something to see, but I don't think those things were designed with aerodynamics in mind.

CameronD · « **Reply #2686 on:** 05/03/2021 02:32 am »

Quote from: Nomadd on 05/02/2021 03:54 pm

Quote from: jdon759 on 05/02/2021 10:32 am
Quote from: Nomadd on 05/01/2021 07:37 pm
I'd hate to see that monster turned into a museum attraction. I wonder how big a cargo pod they could hang from that thing. Might be a market in hauling 250 ton payloads.

I was thinking that too, back when Paul Allen died. Unfortunately, Roc seems to have an extremely limited range, and would only be useful for quite short flights.
It's probably just fuel capacity. Should be simple to figure with some fuel burn numbers. The engines are definitely capable of range. Fuselages are probably empty, so it depends on if they're structurally capable of handling tanks.
Flying with three M1 tanks hanging from the wing would be something to see, but I don't think those things were designed with aerodynamics in mind.

Not just fuel capacity, but runway length, I suspect - it seems to require most of the length of the main 12/30 12,503' (3,811m) runway to take off empty, relying on much the same length of desert sand after that for abort/overshoot and I really doubt there'd be too many airports within range of this beastie that could handle that. Certainly not enough to make cargo haulage between a realistic option for them.

All modern jet aircraft (this one included) are designed and built for a specific mission. Unfortunately, no mission, no fly - and a short while after that it's the graveyard, along with all the others - simply because of the non-zero cost of keeping it air-worthy and it's pilots proficient.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #2687 on:** 05/17/2021 11:40 pm »

https://twitter.com/wjeanfloyd/status/1394369827490308098

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Flight 2 met all objectives. Roc undergoing annual inspections and installation of 32 gear doors. We will be flying again in a few months! Talon hypersonic vehicle continues fabrication and assembly. #Stratolaunch

twitter.com/13ericralph31/status/1394379512989716482

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Is anything in particular causing such a large gap between flights?

https://twitter.com/wjeanfloyd/status/1394415089369772033

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The annual inspection and the work to install 32 gear doors, and test them, is driving the schedule. After the next flight, we will see frequent and recurring flights as we complete our flight expansion testing.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #2688 on:** 09/30/2021 05:59 pm »

https://twitter.com/stratolaunch/status/1443636012513628173

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We are excited to share news that our engineering team has completed its Critical Design Review of the Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle.

Read more about this program milestone and take a look at the assembly progress on Talon-A0 and Talon-A1: https://dlt1hdy7nkt32.cloudfront.net/files/PR21-01_CDR_Announcement_FINAL.pdf

Yiosie · « **Reply #2689 on:** 09/30/2021 10:49 pm »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 09/30/2021 05:59 pm

https://twitter.com/stratolaunch/status/1443636012513628173

Quote
We are excited to share news that our engineering team has completed its Critical Design Review of the Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle.

Read more about this program milestone and take a look at the assembly progress on Talon-A0 and Talon-A1: https://dlt1hdy7nkt32.cloudfront.net/files/PR21-01_CDR_Announcement_FINAL.pdf

Talon-A0 and Talon-A1 assembly progress images from the thread above attached below.

harrystranger · « **Reply #2690 on:** 11/25/2021 12:06 pm »

Roc was spotted outside of its hangar by Sentinel-2 as it passed over Mojave @ 2021-11-24 18:44:44 UTC.

Hopefully this is a sign that we'll see another flight soon!

harrystranger · « **Reply #2691 on:** 12/05/2021 04:03 am »

Roc was spotted outside again today

harrystranger · « **Reply #2692 on:** 01/01/2022 12:06 am »

https://twitter.com/Stratolaunch/status/1476953577205780486?s

Eric Hedman · « **Reply #2693 on:** 01/01/2022 12:18 am »

I have a sneaking suspicion that with the advancement in hypersonic weapons by Russia and China, they're going to be doing lots of research flights for Uncle Sam.

Star One · « **Reply #2694 on:** 01/01/2022 08:53 am »

Though a little bit old now this update doesn’t appear to have been posted to this thread yet.

https://twitter.com/Stratolaunch/status/1468724066207113216

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We are excited to announce a research contract with the Missile Defense Agency. The study will utilize our test service to augment
@DeptofDefense
flight test resources in order to understand how to engage and intercept hypersonic threats. Read more: https://buff.ly/3oCu7A9