Stratolaunch Systems

[mako88sb]

Just found out about this. Looks like it's been in the works for nearly a decade:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJFKUiuDBE

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/news/say-hello-to-stratolaunch-the-worlds-largest-plane-6705761

http://www.space.com/13926-biggest-aircraft-history-stratolaunch-paul-allen-infographic.html

[Sailor Steve]

Fascinating. It's about time someone tried to get into space that way. Of course it's not the first time for composite aircraft. Everyone knows about the 747-Space Shuttle tests, and the use of the B-29 and later the B-52 as a launch vehicle, but how many know about the original plan to carry the Shuttle under the center wing of two C-5A Galaxies joined together?

There have been many composite aircraft over the years. The most famous is probably the Short Mayo.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/MM_Short_Mayo_Composite_scan_zps50b9c3b7.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/MM_Short_Mayo_Composite_scan_zps50b9c3b7.jpg.html)

Less well-known is this one from World War 1.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Bristol_Scout_on_Felixstowe_Porte_Baby_first_compo site_aircraft_1916_zpsa8e0590d.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Bristol_Scout_on_Felixstowe_Porte_Baby_first_compo site_aircraft_1916_zpsa8e0590d.jpg.html)

[TLAM Strike]

Yea they have been testing stuff like this for a while. Once they dropped a ICBM out of a C-5 and lit it off. (http://defensetech.org/2012/02/17/video-a-c-5-galaxy-air-launches-an-icbm-what/)

I know the Chinese are working on some kind of unmanned spaceplane launched from an H-6 Badger bomber.
http://imageshack.us/a/img227/3024/xf6xqtx5.png

[Fubar2Niner]

Lets not forget the infamous too;

http://greyfalcon.us/restored/Junkers%20Ju%2088.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistel

http://warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/mistral.html

Frightening.

Best regards.

Fubar2Niner

[TLAM Strike]

Lets not forget the infamous too;

http://greyfalcon.us/restored/Junkers%20Ju%2088.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistel

http://warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/mistral.html

Frightening.

Best regards.

Fubar2Niner

Yea the Germans also did a Air Launched V1 system much like that.

Speaking of the V1 and the Mistral, the Mistral project had an interesting side effect; its development canceled the project to develop a manned version of the V1 (the Fi 103R).

[Fubar2Niner]

So did the Japanese, although a tad less successful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Special_Attack_Units

[Wolferz]

The SR-71 would be the ideal launch vehicle since it flies right on the edge of space. But, we need heavy duty lifters to get those big payloads up there. NSA satellites weigh ALOT!:hmmm: