On January 13, the world’s largest Stratolaunch Systems aircraft with a wingspan of 385 feet (117.3 m), called the Roc (Stratolaunch Model 351), made its second test flight with a payload – a prototype Talon-A hypersonic aircraft . It was the ninth test flight of the spacecraft and lasted six hours, an all-time record.
In addition to the record flight time, the aircraft was in airspace outside the Mojave Desert for the first time.
Roc took off from the Mojave Spaceport in southeastern California on Friday morning and landed there six hours later, at 5:51 p.m. local time. During the flight, the plane reached an altitude of 6,860 meters, Stratolaunch said. The Roc’s previous test flight took place in October last year.
Captive payload tests with the Talon-A hypersonic glider attached to the pylon are reportedly in preparation for the next stage, a test involving separation of the Talon-A from the Roc and subsequent landing. These tests are expected to begin at the end of the year.
Stratolaunch CEO and President Zachary Crevor noted progress in the test schedule, adding that the company is very close to the next phase, which includes both testing the separation of the Talon-A hypersonic hull from the pylon and launching test flights.
