World largest aircraft successfully completed its first flight test
Jack Apr 14, 2019 11:02 IST
On Saturday, The world's largest aircraft successfully completed its first flight test in California.
The test took off over the Mojave Desert in California. It was developed by aerospace venture Stratolaunch.
"What a fantastic first flight", Stratolaunch Chief Executive Officer Jean Floyd said in a statement.
Stratolaunch tweeted, "Today the Stratolaunch aircraft flew for 2.5 hours over the Mojave Desert, reaching a top speed of 189 mph".
The aircraft wingspan has a length of an American football field. It is powered by six engines on a twin fuselage. Before 7 AM it took to the air shortly and stayed aloft for more than two hours before landing safely back at the Mojave Air and Space port in California. The test flight reached a maximum speed of 189 miles per hour and altitudes of 17,000 feet.
Late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen was founded Stratolaunch in 2011. Allen died due to non-Hodgkins lymphoma in October 2018.
"A historic milestone for the Stratolaunch team with this record setting aircraft taking flight! This is about going to the edge of space and beyond", tweeted Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for NASA Science Mission Directorate.
He added, "I only wish the late @PaulGAllen could see this - his memory and impact lives on".
World largest aircraft successfully completed its first flight test
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