The world's largest aeroplane by wingspan has
taken to the air over the Mojave desert in
California.
The aircraft built by Stratolaunch is designed to act
as a flying launch pad for satellites.
Its wingspan measures 385ft (117m) and on its
maiden flight the jet reached speeds of about
170mph (274km/h).
Built by Stratolaunch, the company set up by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2011, the aircraft is designed to act as a flying launch pad for satellites.
The idea is to fly the plane to 10 km (6.2 miles) before releasing satellites into orbit. If successful, such a project would be a cheaper way to launch objects into space than rockets fired from the ground.
The twin-fuselage six-engine jet flew up to 15,000 ft (4,572m) and reached speeds of about 170 miles per hour (274 km/h) on its maiden flight.
Its 385 ft (117 m) wingspan is the length of an American football field.
The pilot Evan Thomas told reporters the experience was "fantastic" and that "for the most part, the airplane flew as predicted".
According to their website, Stratolaunch aims to "make access to orbit as routine as catching a commercial airline flight is today".
British billionaire Richard Branson's companyVirgin Galactic has also developed aircraft that launch rockets into orbit from great height.
Stratolaunch describes its vessel as the "world's largest plane" but there are aircraft which are longer from nose to tail.
Source: BBC NEWS
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