Stratolaunch undergoes taxi tests

[robkelk]

Just in case anybody thought this project was dead when Elon Musk pulled out of it.

The Register: Paul Allen's six-engined monster plane prepares for space deliveries



Yes, the aircraft has two fuselages.

[hazard]

Which are not connected at the back.

It's not impossible to fly, but oh boy that's an interesting design to cope with aerodynamically speaking.

[robkelk]

If they were connected at the back, they'd catch fire the first time a rocket launched.

I want to know who has the piloting skills to handle this bird.

[hazard]

A computer.

I mean, fly by wire is the only sensible way to try and keep this thing under control.

And no, it's not necessary for the tail of the launch craft to catch on fire when launching a rocket, if the rocket is allowed to drop for a couple of seconds while the launch craft gets out of the way.