Stratolaunch takes ready-to-fly hypersonic craft skyward, but still no launch

Stratolaunch has taken its Talon-A reusable hypersonic aircraft into the sky fully fueled and ready to launch, but the long-delayed test flight isn't happening yet.  The operator of the world's largest aircraft said reported it had flown the Roc mothership, which will be used as an airborne launcher for its reusable hypersonic …

[DarkwavePunk]

The Roc

The Roc is so batshit insane to see flying that I'm sure Burt Rutan has a smile on his face.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: The Roc

Not as big as the smile on Gerry Anderson's face.....

[Charles E]

Talon

Notice it did not so much fly as plummet.

[Fr. Ted Crilly]

Re: Talon

C'est un bon point et ces dernières semaines, j'ai beaucoup pensé.

Bonsoir - ici nous avons les diagrammes modernes d'un mouton anglo-français ... maintenant ... baa-aa, baa-aa... nous avons, dans la tête, le cabinc. Ici, on se trouve le petit capitaine Anglais, Monsieur Trubshawe.

[John Robson]

Re: Talon

It fell... with style

[MachDiamond]

Re: Talon

"It fell... with style"

.... and grace.

[RPF]

I cannot even being to imagine the regulatory headaches - never mind the technical ones - of bringing in a passenger service like this. I get the feeling Stratolaunch have no idea what they're getting into in that regard.

[Spherical Cow]

There are many countries of negotiable regulation.

[Andy The Hat]

What goes around ...

There is an illustration in "Encounter with Tiber", written nearly 30 years ago, which looks surprisingly similar to that ship and White Knight ... Wonder if Buzz's estate get royalties?

[Anonymous Custard]

N. Korean Weapon

The North Korean weapon being a rock thrown by Kim Jong-un himself, which easily broke the Mach 5 barrier?

[MachDiamond]

Last Sunday

Stratolaunch looks like it isn't moving when it's flying. I was out near the Mojave Airport and Sunday and got a bunch of photos. They also just brought in the 747 they bought from the defunct Virgin Orbit a couple of days ago. and it's all painted white withe the Stratolaunch logo painted on the side. The rocket mount is not in evidence. For something as small as Talon, I don't think they need Birdzilla to carry it up.

When the 747 came in, there were some F-22's buzzing around. I guess they were from Edwards AFB, but who knows. I haven't had time to copy over all of the photos.

[G40]

Re: Last Sunday

Well I can promise you there will be many hungry consumers here. Please do post a link or 3.