Stratolaunch announces first successful hypersonic vehicle flight

On Saturday, March 9, Stratolaunch achieved a major milestone by successfully launching the Talon-A (TA-1) hypersonic vehicle for its first powered flight. In a statement, Stratolaunch announced that it released the hypersonic vehicle from the ROC, the world’s largest airplane with a wingspan of 385 feet and a payload of 500,000 pounds.

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The test flight occurred at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. As the ROC flew over the Pacific Ocean, it deployed the Talon-A vehicle.

TA-1 is not an ordinary air-launched craft; the Talon-A is powered by the Hadley rocket engine, generating 5,000 pounds of thrust and featuring an oxygen-rich staged combustion engine, as reported by Space.com. Additionally, the Talon-A is a product of American engineering, manufactured by the aerospace company Ursa Major.

This achievement marks a significant advancement for Stratolaunch. The company’s original founder, Paul Allen, who also co-founded Microsoft, passed away in 2018, missing the opportunity to witness the fruition of his efforts with the ROC’s maiden flight in 2019.

Following this event, the private equity firm Cerberus reportedly acquired the aircraft, marking a shift in Stratolaunch’s focus towards hypersonic vehicles.

The emphasis on hypersonic vehicles stems from increased competition in space, particularly with China and Russia making significant advancements in the hypersonic realm. While China continues to progress in the technology, the United States is striving to catch up.

According to National Defense Magazine, the U.S. Defense Department is currently favoring hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles.

During the test flight, the Talon-A flew for approximately three and a half minutes before descending into the ocean below. Stratolaunch clarified that this outcome was anticipated, as the vehicle was intended solely for testing purposes.

While Stratolaunch confirmed that the hypersonic vehicle achieved supersonic speeds during the test, reaching hypersonic speeds will be a goal for future endeavors. Plans are reportedly in place to conduct further tests with the TA-2 hypersonic vehicle later this year.