Stratolaunch

[quellish]

Test and Operation of the Stratolaunch Talon-A Hypersonic Research Testbed Vehicle, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

2022080251 - 2022-08-10 - EA - Test and Operation of the Stratolaunch Talon-A Hypersonic Research Testbed Vehicle, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

ceqanet.opr.ca.gov

https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/Portals/18/documents/Environmental/Stratolaunch_Public%20Release_Draft%20EA%20and%20FONSI.pdf?ver=quXsUBoKQudSCpkRnI9rcw%3D%3D

 

[GeorgeA]

Test and Operation of the Stratolaunch Talon-A Hypersonic Research Testbed Vehicle, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

2022080251 - 2022-08-10 - EA - Test and Operation of the Stratolaunch Talon-A Hypersonic Research Testbed Vehicle, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

ceqanet.opr.ca.gov

https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/Portals/18/documents/Environmental/Stratolaunch_Public%20Release_Draft%20EA%20and%20FONSI.pdf?ver=quXsUBoKQudSCpkRnI9rcw%3D%3D

Thanks Q. I love how 8 pages of this is the Costal Commission shaking down Stratolaunch for contributions to the "Lost Fishing Gear Fund".

 

[publiusr]

Fishing expedition indeed.

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1761465508782563425

View: https://twitter.com/M51_4ever/status/1761465508782563425?s=20

 

[FighterJock]

Good news if it is Forest Green, especially for Stratolaunch.

 

[TomS]

Turns out it was just a captive carry flight test.

Stratolaunch Completes 2nd Captive Carry Flight with TA-1 Test Vehicle

/PRNewswire/ -- Stratolaunch announces the completion of a second captive carry flight with the first powered Talon-A hypersonic vehicle, TA-1. The flight was...

www.prnewswire.com

 

[FighterJock]

So no ideas as to when it will be dropped for flight TomS? Perhaps it will be sooner than we think.

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766612059951624449

View: https://twitter.com/Stratolaunch/status/1766612059951624449

Stratolaunch Celebrates First Powered Flight of TA-1 Test Vehicle

Stratolaunch, LLC is pleased to announce it has successfully completed the first powered flight of the Talon-A test vehicle, TA-1. This first flight…

www.stratolaunch.com

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1767279862656496076

View: https://twitter.com/Stratolaunch/status/1767279862656496076

 

[bobbymike]

Stratolaunch's Hypersonic Talon-A Makes First Powered Flight

Launched from the company's giant Roc jet, Stratolaunch's Talon-A ignited its engine and rocketed off California's Coast for 200 seconds.

www.twz.com

My apologies if it’s been mentioned but what is the payload capacity of the carry vehicle?

 

[GeorgeA]

Stratolaunch's Hypersonic Talon-A Makes First Powered Flight

Launched from the company's giant Roc jet, Stratolaunch's Talon-A ignited its engine and rocketed off California's Coast for 200 seconds.

www.twz.com

My apologies if it’s been mentioned but what is the payload capacity of the carry vehicle?

500,000 lbs. Remember that the original intended payload was a SpaceX Falcon derivative.

 

[Hydroman]

Roc can actually carry the Space Shuttle. Originally, Burt Rutan almost had Fedex and UPS interested in the capability to move oversized cargo and a plan for a large, cylinderical aero-pod to haul lots of cargo. The problem with Roc are bases of operation, identified locations required a lot of additional taxi way, apron/hammerhead space in order to ground handle and move the aircraft around.

 

[Byeman]

Roc can actually carry the Space Shuttle. Originally, Burt Rutan almost had Fedex and UPS interested in the capability to move oversized cargo and a plan for a large, cylinderical aero-pod to haul lots of cargo. The problem with Roc are bases of operation, identified locations required a lot of additional taxi way, apron/hammerhead space in order to ground handle and move the aircraft around

Only mass-wise, not configuration wise

 

[publiusr]

Perhaps a large bladder of water for firefighting---bursts at ground level.

 

[Byeman]

Perhaps a large bladder of water for firefighting---bursts at ground level.

No, would do more damage and wastes most of the water.

 

[bobbymike]

Stratolaunch sets sights on hypersonic speeds for next Talon-A test

Stratolaunch aims to achieve hypersonic speeds and demonstrate reusability during its second powered Talon-A mission, slated for later this year.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Boxman]

This footage of Talon-A's first powered flight ("TA-1 First Flight") on March 9, 2024, was just posted today (26-March-2024) by Stratolaunch. It includes some interesting views inside the cockpit, as well.

 

[NMaude]

This footage of Talon-A's first powered flight ("TA-1 First Flight") on March 9, 2024, was just posted today (26-March-2024) by Stratolaunch. It includes some interesting views inside the cockpit, as well.

Something I noticed in the video is that the display screens in both the cockpit and payload specialist's station were blurred which is weird since the Strolaunch aircraft is civilian not military.

 

[TomcatViP]

Altitude, speed, heading, time and location of release are better to be kept confidential for future missions where such data can be used to track back performances and trajectory.

 

[TomS]

Something I noticed in the video is that the display screens in both the cockpit and payload specialist's station were blurred which is weird since the Strolaunch aircraft is civilian not military.

Stratolaunch has a contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory for the work it is doing on Talon A. They note in the Talon A press release that certain info is not being released due to agreements with their customer.

 

[topspeed3]

I wonder which is going to win the space race...Stratolaunch or Sierra Space ?

 

[Byeman]

Something I noticed in the video is that the display screens in both the cockpit and payload specialist's station were blurred which is weird since the Strolaunch aircraft is civilian not military.

Propriety

 

[Byeman]

I wonder which is going to win the space race...Stratolaunch or Sierra Space ?

they are not the same class, regime or type of vehicle

 

[topspeed3]

they are not the same class, regime or type of vehicle

Stratolaunch is perfectly capable of carrying a manned rocket that could reach the orbit.

Stratolaunch Aircraft

Stratolaunch, the world’s biggest all-composite plane in terms of wingspan, is being developed by Stratolaunch Systems. Also known as Stratolaunch…

www.aerospace-technology.com

Falcon 9 v1.0 capability at least.

Falcon 9 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Forest Green]

Stratolaunch is perfectly capable of carrying a manned rocket that could reach the orbit.

View attachment 724145

Stratolaunch Aircraft

Stratolaunch, the world’s biggest all-composite plane in terms of wingspan, is being developed by Stratolaunch Systems. Also known as Stratolaunch…

www.aerospace-technology.com

Falcon 9 v1.0 capability at least.

Falcon 9 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Says that Falcon 9 V1.0 weighs 734,000lb and Stratolaunch payload is up to 550,000lb.
.

 

[TomS]

Says that Falcon 9 V1.0 weighs 734,000lb and Stratolaunch payload is up to 550,000lb.
.

At one point in its evolution, Stratolaunch planned for a version of Falcon 9 as its launch vehicle. It was a severely cut-down version with only 4 or 5 engines in the first stage.

And Stratolaunch did have vague plans for a reusable space plane but no hardware as yet.

As Byeman says, nothing in Stratolaunch's current portfolio is remotely comparable to Sierra Space's Dream Chaser. And Dream Chaser is just about ready to fly.

 

[FighterJock]

I can remember that Stratolaunch spaceplane TomS, it was one of their most radical designs. I can only wish that the powers that be at Stratolaunch can find the necessary funds to put the spaceplane into production and use in the future.

 

[Byeman]

Stratolaunch is perfectly capable of carrying a manned rocket that could reach the orbit.

a. They still are not the same type of vehicle or program. Stratolaunch is just a carrier aircraft at this time. Sierra is building a spacecraft.
b. A capability is meaningless if there is no project in work
c. Stratolaunch has no such plans at this time
b. And if Stratolaunch does not provide vehicle that would be carried by the Roc that makes into orbit, then the capabiitie's is not Stratolaunch's but the company that provides the vehicle.

 

[NMaude]

It was a severely cut-down version with only 4 or 5 engines in the first stage.

So basically an air-launched version of SpaceX's stillborn Falcon 5?

 

[publiusr]

That’s what I recall.

Then there was a solid was proposed for a tiny Dream Chaser type deal.

No rock tornadoes for air launch.

I wonder if a 550,000 bomb could defeat any bunker.

 

[Byeman]

I wonder if a 550,000 bomb could defeat any bunker.

No airbase could handle it. No munitions facility could build it.

 

[topspeed3]

Says that Falcon 9 V1.0 weighs 734,000lb and Stratolaunch payload is up to 550,000lb.
.

Yes but you don't need that much of fuel nor two stages as you are already in stratosphere close to mach 1. I mean if you have a "SSTO" type craft.

 

[Forest Green]

No airbase could handle it. No munitions facility could build it.

No ground maintenance crew would want to load it.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O2EqiVfsJg

 

[Byeman]

Yes but you don't need that much of fuel nor two stages as you are already in stratosphere close to mach 1. I mean if you have a "SSTO" type craft.

you would need more than one stage. The altitude and velocity provide little advantage (especially the actual altitude). The real advantage is the reduced drag from the lower atmospheric density.

 

[topspeed3]

you would need more than one stage. The altitude and velocity provide little advantage (especially the actual altitude). The real advantage is the reduced drag from the lower atmospheric density.

Why ?

 

[Byeman]

Why ?

As I explained. The altitude and velocity from the carrier aircraft provide little advantage. Altitude is less than 5% of the final and velocity is less than 3% of the final. But the air density is less than 25% sea level.

 

[topspeed3]

As I explained. The altitude and velocity from the carrier aircraft provide little advantage. Altitude is less than 5% of the final and velocity is less than 3% of the final. But the air density is less than 25% sea level.

But the landing gear is lighter ( than in real SSTO) and you can have very light wing loading in re-entry.

 

[topspeed3]

a. They still are not the same type of vehicle or program. Stratolaunch is just a carrier aircraft at this time. Sierra is building a spacecraft.
b. A capability is meaningless if there is no project in work
c. Stratolaunch has no such plans at this time
b. And if Stratolaunch does not provide vehicle that would be carried by the Roc that makes into orbit, then the capabiitie's is not Stratolaunch's but the company that provides the vehicle.

Stratolaunch can be rented I assume.

 

[Stargazer]

PLEASE FOLKS... Stratolaunch is NOT the name of an aircraft, it is the name of the company that Paul Allen created.

The aircraft produced by Scaled Composites for Stratolaunch is called the Roc, also known as the Model 351.

 

[Byeman]

But the landing gear is lighter ( than in real SSTO) and you can have very light wing loading in re-entry.

Not enough advantage. That is why they wanted a Falcon 5 as a drop rocket at the beginning.
And, it would not have been able to carry a DreamChaser size spacecraft.
Wing loading has no bearing on getting to orbit.