Xinhua News Agency, Los Angeles, August 20 (Reporter Guo Shuang) Like many wealthy partners, Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation of the United States, has also set his sights on the commercial aerospace launch market. The aerospace company he founded announced the latest development plan on the 20th. The world’s largest aircraft with a wingspan is expected to take off in 2020 with a launch vehicle.

According to reports, this aircraft will carry different types of rockets from the ground, and then the rockets will be ignited at high altitudes, launched out of the atmosphere, and put satellites into orbit.

In order to compete for the commercial satellite launch market, Allen founded Strato Launch Systems in 2011, intending to use aircraft to transport rockets to the air for launch. This approach is more accurate, faster and cheaper than traditional ground launch methods.

"We are very excited to be able to share some details about our development for the first time. We will use a dedicated launch vehicle to provide a flexible launch capability that is different from any other company." The statement said, "Regardless of the payload or orbit, sending your satellite into space will soon become as simple as booking a flight."

According to the plan, the aircraft responsible for transporting the rocket is a catamaran with the largest wingspan in the world. It has two fuselages, six engines, and a wingspan of 117 meters, which is close to the length of a standard football field.

The first to be mounted on this aircraft will be the "Pegasus" rocket built by Northrop Grumman of the United States. This air-launched carrier rocket has been successfully launched on other aircraft many times before. "Pegasus" can carry a payload of up to 370 kilograms to an altitude of 400 kilometers. Its maiden flight with the aforementioned catamaran is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

In addition, Strato Launch Systems plans to launch an air-launched medium launch vehicle in 2022, with a payload of 3,400 kilograms. The enhanced medium launch vehicle with a payload of up to 6000 kg is still in the early development stage.

According to reports, the company also intends to develop a reusable aerospace aircraft. This aircraft that can transport payloads to space and return to Earth is similar to the US Air Force’s X-37B aerospace aircraft, but the ultimate goal is to achieve loading. people. However, this aerospace plane is still in the design and research stage.

At this stage, competition in the commercial space launch market is becoming increasingly fierce, and companies such as the United States Space Exploration Technology Corporation, United Launch Alliance Corporation, and Blue Origin Corporation have emerged one after another. Strato Launch Systems is not the only aerospace company that is optimistic about the air launch system. British Virgin Galactic is also developing similar systems.