A loaded 747 is about 820,000 lbs, and about 1/2 that empty. Changed some with the different versions. But a loaded A-380 is about 1,300,000 lbs. Though they might have cut it back a bit.
This stratolaunch is much much bigger than the White Knight plane that Rutan built before. So I am skeptical about it.
Usually just higher aspect wings will give it a slower stall speed and overall make it fly slower, but be able to carry more weight. You can see this in White Knight too. People make airplanes for short takeoff and landing the same way.
But there is a question of engine efficiency, though they be high bypass, at the lower speed. Oh well, it isn't intended to fly very long or very far.
Clearly putting two 747's together is a bargain basement approach.
That's at least how it originally was. But I look at this new picture, and yes it has evolved very far from putting two 747's together. And the wings are very high aspect ratio.
The idea of breathing air to get some altitude and speed, before changing to rocket engines, where the oxidizer is carried internally, does make a great deal of sense. And rocket launched vehicles tend to get going too fast too early, so more is lost in low altitude air drag. So the airplane launch makes sense, but it is complex and less forgiving in operation.
Notice that air launched cruise missiles breathe air and so they can go further and carry more weight than the ship launched version.
@rs666- The version that you've mostly seen (B747-400) in the last quarter century or so has a max takeoff weight of 875,000 lbs. Some cargo versions may be a little bit more.
The latest version, the B747-800 has a max takeoff weight of 987,000 lbs. Unless you live near one of a half dozen large US cities, you likely have never seen this aircraft. The only US operator that I know of is Atlas Air, a contract charter outfit. Only a few foreign airlines like Lufthansa, Korean Air, a few others operate the -800. It has larger dimensions, and much larger diameter engines. They're also much quieter, based on one that I saw departing LAX.
The largest airliner , the Airbus 380 has a max takeoff weight of 1,268,000 lbs. Again, only some foreign airlines have them. Offhand, I'm only aware of Air France, Lufthansa, Qantas, Emirates, and maybe British Airways, Korean Air, and Thai Airlines operating this aircraft into a half dozen or so major US cities.
6 comments
This stratolaunch is much much bigger than the White Knight plane that Rutan built before. So I am skeptical about it.
Usually just higher aspect wings will give it a slower stall speed and overall make it fly slower, but be able to carry more weight. You can see this in White Knight too. People make airplanes for short takeoff and landing the same way.
But there is a question of engine efficiency, though they be high bypass, at the lower speed. Oh well, it isn't intended to fly very long or very far.
Clearly putting two 747's together is a bargain basement approach.
That's at least how it originally was. But I look at this new picture, and yes it has evolved very far from putting two 747's together. And the wings are very high aspect ratio.
The idea of breathing air to get some altitude and speed, before changing to rocket engines, where the oxidizer is carried internally, does make a great deal of sense. And rocket launched vehicles tend to get going too fast too early, so more is lost in low altitude air drag. So the airplane launch makes sense, but it is complex and less forgiving in operation.
Notice that air launched cruise missiles breathe air and so they can go further and carry more weight than the ship launched version.
http://stratolaunch.com/news/FirstRollou…
Well yes, I look at Shadow's list, and 747 MTOW's have gone up.
SJG
How life should be:
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LOU REED "Egg Cream"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRRtSmzk…
R.E.M. - What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkMhCLk…
Orange Crush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mSmOcmk…
The latest version, the B747-800 has a max takeoff weight of 987,000 lbs. Unless you live near one of a half dozen large US cities, you likely have never seen this aircraft. The only US operator that I know of is Atlas Air, a contract charter outfit. Only a few foreign airlines like Lufthansa, Korean Air, a few others operate the -800. It has larger dimensions, and much larger diameter engines. They're also much quieter, based on one that I saw departing LAX.
The largest airliner , the Airbus 380 has a max takeoff weight of 1,268,000 lbs. Again, only some foreign airlines have them. Offhand, I'm only aware of Air France, Lufthansa, Qantas, Emirates, and maybe British Airways, Korean Air, and Thai Airlines operating this aircraft into a half dozen or so major US cities.