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The Scaled Composites aircraft Model 351 (nicknamed the "Roc"), is being built for Stratolaunch Systems to provide a platform from which air-launch space missions can be staged.〔http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/05/stratolaunch-orbital-air-launch/〕 With a wingspan of , the design has the longest wingspan of any airplane to date (July 2015).〔http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3184219/World-s-biggest-plane-launch-2016-Designers-reveal-megaplane-send-astronauts-orbit-using-mini-shuttle.html〕 In August of 2015, Scaled Composites president Kevin Mickey stated the company has so far assembled "roughly 200,000 pounds of composite structure" for the vehicle and if put on a football field, "its wingtips would extend beyond the goalposts by 15 feet on each side."〔http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/04/largest-plane-in-the-world-stratolaunch-test-flights-2016/〕 Each of the twin fuselages of the aircraft is 238 feet (72 metres) long and will be supported by 12 main landing gear wheels and two nose gear wheels. It will require 12,000 feet of runway to lift-off.〔http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/world-largest-plane-construction-calif-article-1.2131231〕 As of November 2015, the rocket or payload for the mega aircraft has not been publicly announced, after two previous plans—SpaceX Falcon Air and Orbital ATK Pegasus II rocket design concepts—had been shelved. ==History== The project was started nearly a year prior to the December 2011 public announcement. Dynetics began work in early 2011, and had approximately 40 employees working on the project at the time of the announcement, . SpaceX efforts began only shortly prior to the public announcement.〔 〕 In January 2012, Stratolaunch CEO Gary Wentz made it explicit that Stratolaunch would name the carrier aircraft only later. The "mothership is currently known only by its Scaled model number: M351."〔 〕 Construction progress on the giant hangar being built in Mojave, California for the Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft was given in an October 2012 story at ''Parabolic Arc''. The first of two manufacturing buildings, the "88,000 square foot facility () be used to construct the composite sections of the wing and fuselage sections" was opened for production in October 2012, two months ahead of schedule and on budget.〔 〕 In October 2013, the first flight of the carrier aircraft was expected in 2016, with the first flight of the air-launched rocket in 2018.〔 〕 As of April 2015, the aircraft was 40% complete, with fabrication of parts at 80%. In November 2015, Stratolaunch CEO Gary Wentz "stepped down as president and CEO of Stratolaunch Systems to join United Launch Alliance to lead human launch services" for ULA. Vulcan Aerospace ended its contract with Orbital ATK in mid-2015 and indicated that a decision on a new rocket for the Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft would be made in late 2015.〔(Stratolaunch’s Plans Up in the Air ), Jeff Foust, SpaceNews, 18 November 2015, accessed 28 November 2015.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Scaled Composites Stratolaunch」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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