Stratolaunch Celebrates First Powered Flight of TA-1 Test Vehicle

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Mar 09, 2024, 16:45 ET

MOJAVE, Calif., March 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratolaunch, LLC is pleased to announce it has successfully completed the first powered flight of the Talon-A test vehicle, TA-1. This first flight represents a major milestone in the development of the country's first privately funded, reusable hypersonic test capability.

Primary objectives for the flight test included accomplishing safe air-launch release of the TA-1 vehicle, engine ignition, acceleration, sustained climb in altitude, and a controlled water landing.

Video of Stratolaunch's Talon-A1 (TA-1) launch and engine ignition on March 9, 2024.

Stratolaunch's Roc air launch platform takes off from Mojave Air and Space Port at Rutan Field on March 9, 2024. This was the fourteenth flight for the aircraft, and the second in which it launched a Talon vehicle from its center-wing pylon.

Stratolaunch's Talon-A stands ready at sunrise for its first powered flight on March 9, 2023

"Today was a great day for the Stratolaunch team. I am extremely proud of their perseverance to reach this point. The successful outcome of the test is a direct result of the team's technical prowess and professionalism," said Dr. Zachary Krevor, Chief Executive Officer for Stratolaunch. "While I can't share the specific altitude and speed TA-1 reached due to proprietary agreements with our customers, we are pleased to share that in addition to meeting all primary and customer objectives of the flight, we reached high supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5 and collected a great amount of data at an incredible value to our customers."

"Our goal with this flight was to continue our risk reduction approach for TA-2's first reusable flight and be steadfast on our commitment of delivering maximum value to our customers. We are excited to review the data from today's test and use it as we plan our next steps toward TA-2's first flight later this year," Dr. Krevor said.

Concurrent to TA-1 testing, Stratolaunch is progressing on the manufacturing of TA-3, the second fully reusable vehicle in that Talon-A product line. The company is also beginning modifications to its additional launch platform, the Spirit of Mojave, a modified Boeing 747-400.

The company will hold a virtual press conference today, March 9 at 2:30 p.m. PST to review the initial results of the flight and take questions from members of the press. Interested media outlets can join the conference via Zoom by clicking here.

About Stratolaunch
Stratolaunch's mission is to advance high-speed technology through innovative design, manufacturing, and operation of world-class aerospace vehicles. For the latest news and information, visit www.stratolaunch.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

SOURCE Stratolaunch