Stratolaunch makes first step to space

A notable aviation record fell earlier this month, with the maiden flight of what is now the world’s largest aircraft – the Scaled Composites-built twin-fuselage Stratolaunch, whose 117m (385ft) wingspan outstrips even the 97.5m (321ft) of the Hughes H-4 Hercules flying boat, better known as the Spruce Goose. As a more useful comparison, Stratolaunch also outstrips the 80m wingspan of an Airbus A380.