The World's Largest Airplane is Finally Unveiled

Plans for the Stratolaunch airplane, a a dual-fuselage, 28-wheel behemoth that measures more than 385 feet from wingtip to wingtip, had been in the works since 2011. Finally, at an event in Mojave, California, the world's largest airplane was wheeled out of its hangar for the first time.

The 500,000 pound Stratolaunch is the dream of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (who is also the owner of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and NFL's Seattle Seahawks). Standing 50 feet tall, 238 feet long, and powered by six engines that are also used on Boeing 747s, the Stratolaunch can carry 250,000 pounds of fuel while also taking off with a maximum weight of 1.3 million pounds. As impressive as those measurements are, there is actually one airplane that is slightly longer. The An-225, which was a Soviet Union built plane in 1988, is about 275 feet long (37 ft. longer than the Stratolaunch). Yet, the Stratolaunch has a bigger wingspan, technically making it the larger airplane.

More than a traditional airplane, however, the Stratolaunch is engineered to release rockets that will carry satellites into space. According to the company, this will significantly decrease the costs associated with launching satellites into orbit. "With aircraft-like operations, our reusable launch platform will significantly reduce the long wait times traditionally experienced between the construction of a satellite and the opportunity to launch it into space," Allen stated. "As the launch vehicle rockets into orbit, Stratolaunch will fly back to a runway landing for reloading, refueling and reuse."

Because the aircraft will be tasked with such a uniquely challenging task, the engineers and designers at the company want to ensure everything runs according to plans during the crucial testing phases. "This is a first-of-its-kind aircraft, so we're going to be diligent throughout testing and continue to prioritize the safety of our pilots," said Jean Floyd, Stratolaunch's chief executive officer, in a statement. Floyd indicated the goal for the aircraft is to have a launch demonstration as early as 2019. Before that happens, however, Floyd and his team will run several fuel and ground tests on the Stratolaunch.