Stratolaunch has completed its first captive carry flight using the Talon-A separation test vehicle, TA-0, connected with Roc’s center wing pylon. Roc, the world’s largest flying aircraft, flew for five hours and six minutes across the Mojave Desert, reaching an altitude of 23,000 feet (7000 meters).
The goal of this flyover was to gauge the aerodynamic loads that the Talon-A vehicle was experiencing while mounted to Roc. Aerodynamic predictions will be tested by the weights collected during flight, ensuring that the release mechanism operates as intended.
“We have conducted various ground tests in anticipation of this first captive carry flight, and with each successful test and milestone achieved, we have built confidence that the hardware will perform exactly as it was designed. It’s exhilarating to see the team’s hard work come to life and see the vehicles fly as an integrated system,” said Dr. Zachary Krevor, Stratolaunch’s Chief Executive Officer and President.
The company will carry out several captive carry flights over the coming weeks, with the TA-0 vehicle separation test over the Pacific Ocean taking place in late 2022.
The company is currently developing the first and second fully reusable hypersonic vehicles, TA-2 and TA-3, and conducting flight tests on its first hypersonic flight test vehicle, TA-1. The company plans to offer hypersonic flight services to government and private clients in 2023.
“Testing and production are accelerating as we push forward to meet our commitment of providing hypersonic flight test service to our customers next year. Our team will continue accomplishing more complex test milestones as we progress to our first hypersonic flight,” Dr. Krevor said.
Source: Stratolaunch via PRNewswire