Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A separation test vehicle, TA-0.
Credit: Domenic Moen/Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch has unveiled details of its Talon-A test vehicle, TA-0.

This first version of Talon-A will not be powered in flight. Future iterations will be rocket-powered, autonomous, reusable testbeds carrying customizable payloads at speeds above Mach 5.

TA-0 will continue functional and integration testing in the coming months, culminating in a captive carry and vehicle flight later this year, according to a company statement.

Stratolaunch completed its fifth test flight of Roc, on May 4, 2022. The flight debuted a new pylon that was integrated to the aircraft center wing. The pylon will be used to carry and release Talon hypersonic vehicles.
Credit: Stratolaunch

Flying launch pad

Earlier this month, Stratolaunch performed the successful completion of its fifth flight test of Roc, the world’s largest flying aircraft – a vehicle that sports a 95-foot center wingspan. On that May 4 flight, the pylon was attached to the giant aircraft. That pylon will be used to carry and release Talon-A hypersonic vehicles from the Roc flying launch pad.

Stratolaunch’s Talon-A separation test vehicle, TA-0, mated to Roc carrier aircraft for the first time.
Credit: Stratolaunch

After completing TA-0 separation testing, the company will transition to flying its first hypersonic test vehicle, TA-1. The team has also started fabrication of a third vehicle, TA-2, the first fully reusable hypersonic test vehicle.

For more information on Stratolaunch, go to: https://www.stratolaunch.com/