The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
COMING SOON: THE ‘STRATOLAUNCH’
Boasting six engines, two fuselages and a wingspan broader than a football pitch, the “Stratolaunch” is growing ever closer to its first flight.
The brainchild of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, its wingspan is nearly double that of a Boeing 747 and, at 384ft, surpasses even Howard Hughes’ famous Spruce Goose (320ft). The aircraft has been in development since 2011 and after being rolled out of its custommade hangar last year, has just completed its first high-speed taxi test.
The Stratolaunch, weighing 580 tons and carrying six Pratt & Whitney engines on 28 wheels, trundled down the runway in Mojave, California, reaching a top speed of 46mph. It is hoped that it will take to the skies some time next year.
Can you fly in it? No. This beast will function as a launch vehicle for space rockets. Read the full story at telegraph.co.uk/ttstratolaunch tower this year, it has been suggested the colour may return to a bolder red. Read the full story at telegraph. co.uk/tt-eiffeltower has cerebral palsy, on their family’s first holiday (see telegraph.co.uk/ttfathersdaycruise); Leah Hyslop won in the River Cruise category with her feature on what might just be the world’s best cruise for food lovers (telegraph. co.uk/tt-foodcruise). Hyslop was also shortlisted in the Best First-Time Feature along with Telegraph Travel’s Sherelle Jacobs for her piece on the rise of millennial cruising, and what it’s like to set sail on Uniworld’s first voyage aimed at under-45s only (telegraph.co.ukmillennialcruising).
There was a further accolade this week for one of Telegraph Travel’s most prolific contributors.
Chris Leadbeater was commended in the Travel Journalist of the Year category at the prestigious Society of Editors Press Awards for pieces on Sudan (‘The Treasures of Tanutamun’ – telegraph. co.uk/tt-sudan) and on Tunisia (‘A bright future on the horizon for Tunisia?’ – telegraph.co.uk/tt-tunisia). Nick Trend was shortlisted for the award.