Stratolaunch
@Stratolaunch
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Advancing high-speed technology through innovative design, manufacturing, and operation of world-class aerospace vehicles.
Mojave, CA
Joined April 2011
First steps are hard. They require careful planning, calculated risk, and most of all, courage. We took a daring first step earlier this month with the completion of TA-1’s first powered flight, reaching high supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5. The flight was a landmark moment
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Today the #Stratolaunch aircraft flew for 2.5 hours over the Mojave Desert, reaching a top speed of 189 mph. Check out the historic flight here: . #StratoFirstFlight
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NEWS: We're excited to officially announce that we're expanding our launch fleet with the acquisition of Virgin Orbit's modified Boeing 747. Read more:
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Recap from yesterday. Roc flew for 3 hours and 14 minutes at a max altitude of 14,000 ft. and a max speed of 178 kts. Beautiful shot from our chase plane. More tests in the works.
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The team is rounding out a successful Roc carrier aircraft test flight with two low approach maneuvers before landing. We’re excited to get the aircraft on the ground and start analyzing all of the great data we collected today! #LetsRoc
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Congratulations to the Stratolaunch team on a successful first powered flight of the TA-1 vehicle! Read more: #WeRoc #Stratolaunch
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The Stratolaunch aircraft came out of the hangar – for the first time ever – to conduct aircraft fueling tests:
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Mission complete! Roc is back on the ground as of 10:41 a.m. PT
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NEWS: Stratolaunch Successfully Completes Separation Test of Talon-A Vehicle. Read more:
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We’re moving forward on our preparation for the first powered flight of the Talon-A hypersonic vehicle. Today we successfully completed a taxi test, the first time with live propellants on board. #LetsRoc #hypersonic #flighttest
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Welcome home to our newest addition to the air launch fleet, The Spirit of Mojave. The modified 747 was named by the Stratolaunch employees as a tribute to the passion of the Mojave aerospace community that has built and tested some of the world’s most unique aircraft. The Spirit
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TA-1 first flight complete ☑️ The dawn is now breaking on the era of reusability. Debuting in this week’s edition of @AviationWeek, TA-2 the first fully recoverable hypersonic vehicle able to land on a runway and fly again. Progress is speeding up, keep up with us!
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The flight test is going well. All results are as expected.
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Roc completed its flight at 2:51 p.m. setting a new record for the longest flight to date at six hours and marking our first time flying outside of the Mojave range!
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We are attempting our third test flight of the Roc carrier aircraft today. The team is performing their pre-flight checks followed by takeoff at approximately 8 a.m. PST. Follow us for flight updates and tune in to the @NASASpaceflight YouTube live feed
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Roc has returned to base and you’ll notice something missing from the center wing. We’re excited to announce we successfully completed separation of TA-0, bringing us closer than ever to hypersonic flight. Congrats to the team & thanks to the Western Range for their support!
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Today we completed a captive carry flight with the first powered Talon-A hypersonic vehicle. The completion of this test represents a significant step toward our first powered flight of TA-1. Read more: #LetsRoc #flighttest
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What an incredible morning for the Stratolaunch team! Thank you to our partners at @ScaledC for their hard work. Learn more about today’s #StratoFirstFlight here:.
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Touchdown!! Successful flight tests to round out the day. What a beautiful sight.
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Sharing the progress we are making on our fleet of hypersonic vehicles. We will continue to conduct flight test of our carrier aircraft as prepare to launch these vehicles from its center wing.
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Take a deeper look at our 11th flight of Roc and first separation test of a Talon-A vehicle. With this milestone complete, we are moving on to focus on the first #hypersonic flight of Talon-A. Congratulations again to our team and partners! #LetsRoc
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Roc landed at 1:29 p.m. and our team is busy analyzing the data gathered during today’s flight!
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While completing Roc testing operations, we encountered a test result that made it clear we would not achieve all objectives for this flight. We made the decision to land, review the data, and prepare for our next flight.
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On standby to see if we are able to fly today. Waiting on the latest weather updates.
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We were unable to fly today due to weather, but we are ready for our next opportunity to get in the air. Will have updates soon.
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The Spirit of Mojave returns to its home at Mojave Air and Space Port.
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Stratolaunch’s propulsion system is engineered for precision, reliability, and performance, designed to support our mission of advancing hypersonic test capabilities. These tests simulate a variety of flight conditions, ensuring our engines perform efficiently under extreme
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Today's taxi tests had Roc reaching speeds of 110 Knots (~127 MPH) throughout the morning and early this afternoon. After reaching these speeds for taxi test, we're gearing up to hit the skies.
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The Roc carrier aircraft successfully took of at 8:48 a.m. PST for a 3.5 hour test flight. Today’s test objectives include testing the middle main landing gear extension and retraction, and continuing evaluation of the aircraft’s performance. Stay tuned
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NEWS: Today we completed the second captive carry flight of the TA-1 vehicle. The flight was the thirteenth for the company’s launch platform Roc and the second in which the aircraft carried a Talon vehicle with live propellant aboard TA-1. “Our goal with this flight was to
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We're excited to announce Roc and our first structurally complete Talon test vehicle, TA-0, are featured on the cover of this week's issue of @AviationWeek. Learn more about how we are working to accelerate our nation's hypersonic testing capabilities:
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Today we’re flying our seventh Roc test flight! The flight will focus on continued flight envelope expansion #LetsRoc
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ICYMI: We completed Talon-A1’s first powered flight on Saturday March 9, breaking dawn on a new era in hypersonic flight test capability for the U.S. Read more: Stratolaunch | Stratolaunch Celebrates First Powered Flight of TA-1…
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We’re out on the runway today completing taxi testing in preparation for Roc’s fifth test flight. Check out that new pylon on the center wing! The pylon will be used to carry and release Talon-A hypersonic vehicles. #LetsRoc #Hypersonics
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We are closing out March with our 3rd engine hot fire test. This is the first test that includes vectored thrust movement, which will allow us to shape Talon-A’s flight path to meet customer requirements for altitude and air speed. #hypersonics #rocketengine #aerospace @UrsaMajor
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A new altitude record for Roc has been reached: 27,000 ft.! This new max. altitude demonstrates we can reach the heights needed for effective Talon launch trajectories #LetsRoc
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Today we’re conducting our ninth flight test of Roc and second captive carry of the Talon-A separation test vehicle, TA-0. Today’s test objectives will be verifying our onboard data systems and practicing the sequence for our upcoming separation test. #LetsRoc #Flighttest #Mojave
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More progress today in the Mojave. Our #Stratolaunch aircraft reached a speed of 136 mph during today’s test. #wheelie
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Our team had another successful day of testing yesterday! ✈ Watch our #Stratolaunch aircraft reach a top speed of 136 mph during yesterday’s test:
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Exciting update from this week’s #Stratolaunch testing: The aircraft reached a top speed of 80 mph! ✈
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Join us for coverage our 4th test flight of the Roc carrier aircraft! Today’s flight will accomplish a big milestone in Roc’s prep for air-launching Talon hypersonic test vehicles. Follow the action on the @NASASpaceflight live feed starting at 7:30am PT :
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Roc is in the air over the Mojave Desert. Stay tuned to our social media channels for flight updates!
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We're pleased to announce a flight test contract award from @LeidosInc the prime contractor for the @USNavy Multiservice Advanced Capability Test Bed (MACH-TB), funded by @NAVSEACrane. The contract award funds five Talon-A hypersonic flights and optional payloads. Read more:
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Just released new aerial and ground shots of the latest test series performed this weekend. More to come!
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On the runway ready to go. Should know in minutes if we are able to fly.
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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
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NEWS: Stratolaunch announces the first flight of TA-1. Read more:
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Today the test team is conducting a functional check flight with Roc, focused on testing system upgrades to the mission control center and flight deck, and training new members of our team. This test is in preparation of Roc’s upcoming envelope expansion series that will take the
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Roc is airborne over the Mojave Desert! Today’s flight will focus on measuring the aerodynamic loads on the Talon-A vehicle while mated to Roc. Follow along with today’s flight: #LetsRoc
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Roc is in the air, departing @MojaveAirport at 7:40 a.m. PT. Today we will focus on continued flight envelope expansion #LetsRoc
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Unfortunately, forecasted weather at the predicted time of landing is unfavorable. We had to scrub today's flight. We will try again at the next available window.
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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
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It was two years to the day that the worlds largest aircraft (by wingspan) took flight for the very first time. Stay tuned.
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The Roc carrier aircraft is on the runway at @MojaveAirport today completing taxi testing. Taxi tests ensure the vehicle, communications, and subsystems are functioning properly and the team is fully ready for the next test flight. #LetsRoc #FlightTest
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Roc is in the air over the Mojave Desert. Today the team will focus on flight envelope expansion and validating the recently installed pylon that will carry and release Talon hypersonic vehicles. Follow along:
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Today Roc continues its envelope expansion series, marking the 17th flight of the launch platform. While utilizing this flight series to increase the aircraft’s performance capabilities, we also take every opportunity to train new team members and increase the overall proficiency
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Basking in the glory of the Mojave sun! More test to conduct this week for Roc, and will soon have visuals to share on the progress of our hypersonic vehicles. #Stratolaunch #ThinkBig #BreakingBarriers
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Our aircraft has a new look! Check out the livery with #Stratolaunch and @ScaledC logos. #Aviation #AvGeek
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We are deeply saddened about the passing of our founder, Paul G. Allen. He was a visionary who inspired us all to dream big.
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Join us for coverage our 5th test flight of the Roc carrier aircraft! Today’s flight will feature some new sights. Roc has a new logo AND new pylon that will carry and release Talon hypersonic vehicles. Follow the action on the @NASASpaceFlight live feed:
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Some great shots from the chase plane during yesterday's high speed taxi tests. The "hangar cam" also captured a cool image with the chase plane in the background. Next week should be exciting. #aviation #aerospace #hypersonic #thinkbig #breakingbarriers
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The Roc aircrew is running through their pre-flight checklist as they prepare for takeoff #LetsRoc
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Roc is outside at @MojaveAirandSpacePort for another day of taxi testing. One of the goals of these taxi runs is to verify our new pylon is ready for flight. #LetsRoc
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The force is strong in this plane. Roc has successfully landed back at Mojave Air and Space Port and our team is already busy analyzing the data gathered today. #Maythe4thBeWithYou #LetsRoc
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Stratolaunch’s Roc launch platform took off for its first integrated flight with the Talon-A2 (TA-2) vehicle this morning over the Mojave Desert. This is the 19thflight of the world’s largest flying aircraft, and the first fueled captive carry of the TA-2 hypersonic vehicle. TA-2
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Our team was up early this morning preparing for Roc's sixth flight test. Today's flight will focus on continued flight envelope expansion with the recently installed pylon that will carry and release Talon-A vehicles. #LetsRoc
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We're excited to be out today conducting test as we continue to prepare for our next flight in the coming months.
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Stratolaunch has been awarded a $24.7M million agreement by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to support the hypersonic flight test mission. "This mission will enhance our national security posture, enabling rapid testing of new missile defense architectures designed to defend
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Thrilled to share that today the #Stratolaunch aircraft flew for the first time! ✈ Check out the video here ⬇ #StratoFirstFlight
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Roc is airborne over the Mojave Desert and headed out to @SLDelta30 Western Range for today’s flight. Stay tuned for updates. #LetsRoc
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It’s a great day to fly and our crew is excited to return to flight just a week after flight test number 6 #LetsRoc
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Today brought a rare snow experience to our operations and manufacturing facility in Mojave, CA! Photo credit: Erick Carlson
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We continue to test as we prepare for our next flight. It always feel good to be out of the hangar, but even better to be in the air. Soon. #breakingbarriers #thinkbig #aerospace
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Is today the day? We’re prepared, Roc is out, and weather is favorable. We should know in the next hour.
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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
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All in a day’s work! This weekend the Stratolaunch team rolled ROC out of the hanger to conduct rigorous cabin pressure tests. All test objectives were successfully completed! More testing to come as our sight is set on our next flight.#THINKBIG #stratolaunch #BreakingBarriers
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Roc moments away from takeoff, with @VirginOrbit Cosmic Girl looking on. Everything is still a “Go”.
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Time to stretch those legs! We just successfully retracted and extended our full landing gear for the first time. #LetsRoc
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Last weekend, the team accomplished its second successful captive carry flight of Talon-A, bringing the team closer to their goal of conducting powered flight. Exciting advancements are happening at Stratolaunch in the pursuit of hypersonic flight test!.
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Welcome to a new chapter in hypersonic flight test. We recently mated TA-0 to Roc for the first time. The team will conduct functional and integration testing in the coming months, culminating in a captive carry and safe separation testing later this year. #LetsRoc
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Today we’re conducting our tenth (double digits!) flight test of Roc, and third captive carry with the TA-0 separation test vehicle. #LetsRoc
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Thank you to our incredible crew and our partners at @ScaledC, @NorthropGrumman, @MojaveAirport, @EdwardsAFB and @NASAArmstrong for making today possible! . #StratoFirstFlight
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Latest News: Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft Completes Sixth Flight Test
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The aircrew is boarding Roc and preparing for takeoff at approximately 7:30 a.m. PT #LetsRoc
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Roc is back in Mojave and the team is ready to analyze the great data we collected today #LetsRoc
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For the 1st time as an integrated system, Roc and TA-1 headed outside today ahead of #HurricaneHilary to do some ground tests, including fueling part of TA-1’s propulsion system. TA-1 will be our first powered #hypersonic vehicle, anticipated to fly in the coming months. #LetsRoc
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Practice makes perfect! Building on the landing gear testing that occurred during the fourth flight test, the team is continuing tests gear operations through mid-air cycling of the system.
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Join us for coverage our 8th Roc test flight! Today’s flight is the first time we will carry the Talon-A separation test vehicle onboard Roc’s center wing pylon. Follow today’s flight on the @NASASpaceFlight live feed beginning at 7:30 a.m. PT:
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This weekend marked the 65th anniversary of the first flight of the X-15 experimental aircraft developed by NASA and the U.S. Air Force in the early 1960’s. This record setting aircraft has inspired a legacy of air-launched test vehicles like Stratolaunch’s Talon-A reusable
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Roc’s flight crew has started all six engines and are preparing for takeoff. Follow today’s flight on the @NASASpaceFlight live feed:
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Here's video of the first roll out of the world's largest plane.
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