Stratolaunch Systems announces plans for new types of rockets

Stratolaunch Systems announced plans to create its own rocket-powered launch vehicle. Additionally, it also is in process of rolling out a reusable, manned space shuttle. Founded in 2011 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the company aims to commercialize space transportation. In its production line is the fabled Scaled Composites Stratolaunch, which when completed would be the largest aircraft in the world. Its length is pegged to be 238 ft with a wingspan of 385 ft. What’s amazing is that this makes it bigger than a football field.

The plane would carry the rocket off the ground and into the upper atmosphere, where the rocket, carrying the payload would detach itself from the plane and fire its own thrusters, propelling itself into orbit. This procedure would save a significant amount of money and many tons of rocket fuel for every single launch.

The company had previously only disclosed its plan to use the giant aircraft to carry the Pegasus rockets, which are manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now acquired by Northrop Grumman). However, the latest announcement unveiled three new rockets that are to be carried by the behemoth. First one is the Medium Launch Vehicle or MLV which is capable of carrying a 3,400 Kg payload. The next one is the MLV Heavy that has a capacity of 6,000 Kg. The third one is dubbed the Space Plane, which will be a reusable rocket.

The race for commercial space transportation and space tourism is getting more and more interesting with each passing year with some of the major players ready to capture the maximum share of this exclusive market. Some other corporations in this sector include SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, etc.