The Stratolaunch , the mankind ’s prominent all - composite aircraft , successfully completed its first flying on April 13 . The plane is designed to be used as a stratospheric launching platform for space rockets , with the first launching require to happen next year .

The six - engine aircraft has a wingspan of 117 meter ( 385 fundament ) , three multiplication as long as the distance of the Wright sidekick ' first flight . Stratolaunch fly for 2.5 hour over the Mojave Desert , achieving a maximum stop number of 304 kilometers ( 189 mile ) per hr and an altitude of 5,181 meters ( 17,000 feet ) .

During this maiden ocean trip , a variety of maneuver were tested out to fine-tune f number and test the aeroplane ’s flight command system . The engineers also conducted some model landing physical exercise before the plane came back down and landed at the Mojave Air and Space Port .

“ What a antic first flying , ” Jean Floyd , CEO of Stratolaunch , said in astatement . “ Today ’s flight further our mission to provide a flexible alternative to primer - launched system . We are incredibly proud of the Stratolaunch team , today ’s flight of stairs crew , our partners at Northrup Grumman ’s Scaled Composites and the Mojave Air and Space Port . ”

The vehicle ’s center wing is reinforced and   contrive   to hold multiple launching vehicle with a combined exercising weight of up to 230,000 kilograms ( 500,000 pounds ) . The Stratolaunch is gestate to be used to deliver Northrop Grumman’sPegasus XL rocketto a suitable altitude to then spud out of the atmosphere . It has an available warhead of 370 kilogram ( 816 pounds ) . The arugula has had over 35 successful launches so the team is sure-footed that   it will successfully   reach orbit .

The company , Stratolaunch Systems Corporation , was start by the late Paul G. Allen , co - founder of Microsoft . Stratolaunch in the beginning had plan to develop a line of in - house space vehicle , include crew wiliness . Those plans were halted after the death of Allen , who passed away last October .

“ We all know Paul would have been proud to witness today ’s historic achievement,”saidJody Allen , Chair of Vulcan Inc. and Trustee of the Paul G. Allen Trust . “ The aircraft is a singular engineering achievement and we congratulate everyone require . ”

The launching of a Pegasus XL roquette is expected to take place at some point in 2020 from double the elevation achieved in this first escape .