AUGUST 2017 _ http://www.popularmechanics.co.za 29
A PLANE TO THE STARS
LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO) is the place to
be for satellites and space stations. But
besides the technical difficulties involved
in getting there, cost is a huge problem.
While SpaceX forges ahead with its
focus on reusing rockets, Microsoft co-
founder Paul Allen has designed a seem-
ingly more cost-effective solution to get
satellites to space: an aircraft.
This isn’t just any aircraft manufactured
by just any aviation company, though.
This is the world’s largest plane capable
of repeatedly flying into LEO and back.
BY NIKKY KNIJF IMAGES BY STRATOLAUNCH SYSTEMS CORPORATION
