Satellite launcher with wingspan longer than football field

Stratolaunch is the world's longest-winged aircraft, designed to carry rockets to launch satellites into orbit.

Stratolaunch aircraft leaving the hangar

Billionaire's aerospace company Stratolaunch SystemsPaul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation,Yesterdayannounced the world's largest aircraft, according toPopular Mechanics.

With a wingspan of 117 m, longer than the length of a football field, this six-engine aircraft is larger than any other aircraft ever built by man.

In a series of photos shared by Allen yesterday, the aircraft nicknamed "Roc" emerged from a hangar in the middle of the Mojave Desert in California, USA. The aircraft weighs nearly 227 tons when empty, with a maximum takeoff weight ofnearly 590 tons, according toVerge.

The plane moves on the ground thanks to 28 wheels. When in the air, the plane is powered by 6 Boeing 747 engines. Its large size allows the plane to act as an airborne missile launcher.

The plane moves on the runway thanks to 28 wheels. Photo: Stratolaunch Systems

The Stratolaunch aircraft is designed to carry a rocket booster between its two fuselages. Once the aircraft reaches a certain altitude, the rocket booster carrying the satellite will be released, firing its thrusters and sending the satellite into space.

Normally, satellites are launched into space by rockets from ground launch pads, requiring a huge amount of rocket fuel. Stratolaunch helps to get the rocket into the sky before launching into space, saving a lot of fuel.

Instead of carrying heavy cargo in its main body, the Stratolaunch has two fuselages containing engines, landing gear, avionics and other parts taken from two Boeing 747 aircraft, along with a frame, wings and skin made from ultra-light composite materials.

This design helps the aircraft put satellites into orbit accurately and quickly without being affected by the weather.

According to VNE