Pop science
Stratolaunch has begun construction on a prototype hypersonic vehicle designed to launch from the world’s biggest aeroplane. Pictures the company shared show a prelude of the sleek Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle coming together in a manufacturing facility. “The upper skin layup tool and prototype upper skin are giving us a peek at what’s to come. One. Step. Closer,” Stratolaunch tweeted.
In March 2020, Stratolaunch announced it would pivot its services to building, testing and operating vehicles that fly at Mach 5, five-times faster than the speed of sound. “Our hypersonic testbeds will serve as a catalyst in sparking a renaissance in hypersonic technologies for our government, the commercial sector and academia,” CEO W. Jean Floyd said. Talon will be 8.5 metres long with a mass of 2,700 kilograms, and will fly as fast as Mach 6.
In October, Stratolaunch said testing on its first engine was complete, courtesy of a partnership agreement with propulsion company Ursa Major Tech. Stratolaunch also signed an agreement with Draper, a decadesold engineering nonprofit, to provide guidance, navigation and control software for the hypersonic vehicle.
“Under the multi-year contract, Draper will design, develop and deliver a guidance, navigation and control system for the Stratolaunch reusable hypersonic vehicle,” said Draper representatives. “The vehicle is designed for use by government, the Department of Defense, the commercial sector and academia, which will contract for payload capacity for space or Earth applications.”
ELIZABETH HOWELL