Ultra-huge rocket launch aircraft "Roc" capable of taking off and launching with rocket hanging for the first time released

Space transport companies involved with Mr. Paul Allen who founded Microsoft with Bill GatesStratolaunch SystemsRocket launch planned to be used by "Stratolaunch, Commonly known as "RocThe first appearance of "was released for the first time. Roc is an airplane with a trunk type fuselage, which is planned to be used to hang the rocket down in the middle of the wing, take off the rocket at the sky and launch it into space.

Microsoft co-founder built the world's largest plane to launch rockets into space - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/31/15721480/stratolaunch-paul-allen-rockets-space-satellites

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Roc is an aircraft shaped like two airplanes beside it, taking a rocket between two bodies and taking off. It seems that it looks small due to the shape like a glider machine, but the width from the end to the end of the wing (wing tip width) is 385 feet (about 117 meters), which is the widest aircraft ever. I will. The left and right wings are equipped with the same six engines as those used in the Boeing 747 aircraft, and it is possible to carry the payload of about 250 tons + fuel and carry it to the sky.


The hanger (hangar) that contained such an aircraft was also of a special size. Production of the aircraft by aircraft / spacecraft manufacturersScaled CompositesI am in charge.


The following pictures are one that you can feel the size of Roc compared to the size of a person. The aircraft announcement this time was carried out in conjunction with the execution of the fuel injection test, in order to move the aircraft from the hanger, it is that the left and right one towing tractor grasps the front wheel of Roc and is moving forward I understand.


The image which took off and raised the rocket hanging like this is like this.


The image of operation is like this, hanging down the rocket takes off, carries it to the launch point, ignites the rocket and launches it into outer space. Roc will then return to the airport for landing and prepare for the next launch process.


Roc, which seems to have a maximum weight of about 580 tons in total of its own weight, rocket and fuel, has 28 wheels.


The nose part is shaped as if it had been cut off, but there seems to be a heat insulator attached to the rocket booster to withstand the heat.


Roc will first perform a fuel injection test and then an engine combustion test will be conducted. Initially, the initial rocket launch that was scheduled for 2018 has been delayed in the schedule and has been changed to be implemented by 2019.