Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch which uses a similar launch method to LauncherOne, but instead releases a hypersonic (greater than Mach 5) launch vehicle called Talon instead of Virgin Orbit’s more traditional rockets. Stratolaunch uses a bespoke aircraft called Roc, the brainchild of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Roc may be the largest plane ever made with a wingspan over a football field wide, dual fuselage, and six engines.

On 13 May 2023, Stratolaunch conducted its inaugural drop test, releasing a prototype hypersonic vehicle, Talon-0, above the Pacific Ocean off the central Californian coast. Although not fitted with an engine, Talon-0 successfully completed a number of gliding maneuvers.

The distinctive-looking twin-fuselage Roc aircraft is the and is designed to carry the rocket-powered and automated Talon vehicles into the upper atmosphere.