New Stratolaunch plane will take people into Earth's orbitQuoteMicrosoft co-founder Paul Allen is teaming up with aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan to build a giant machine that is part airplane and part spaceship. The new vehicle will be able to transport people and cargo into Earth's orbit and is scheduled to be commercially available by 2016.
Unlike traditional rockets, the Stratolaunch will not require a launch pad for liftoff. Instead, the plane will ascend to a heightened elevation--and then the rocket portion of the craft will release and blast the ship into space.
Powered by six 747 engines, the new craft should also be far more fuel efficient than traditional shuttle launches, since it will bypass the standard supply of expensive rocket fuel needed to propel a shuttle up from the ground.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/stratolaunch-plane-people-earth-orbit-203001086.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh29Pm1Rrc0
Interesting note in the subtitles, it says the payload capacity is 13,500lbs. Not too shabby.
Is this truly a new break through in space travel or has it been around for awhile in secret? It definitely seems like more of a low profile type launch method, and easier to launch stuff into space without people noticing.
It's interesting the prospect of commercial space flights. I'll post some info on a British project soon. How do they keep a lid on what goes on up there when civilians have better access. Only time will tell I guess.
I just hope they don't play the, "space debris means commercial space flight for civilians is just too dangerous," card. That would piss me right off!