Stratolaunch passes road test as company eyes the skies in 2018

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — One of the many aerospace companies with operations near the Mojave Space Port has announced an important milestone in the development of what promises to be the world's largest aircraft.

The Stratolaunch, which has a wingspan longer than a football field, passed a road test Monday. The giant aircraft taxied around the runway, which tested its ability to steer and stop.

Up next, is another road test at higher speeds.

The company hopes to get the aircraft in the sky next year. It's designed to carry satellites into low-earth orbit.

The cargo would be stowed between the two fuselages using a model similar to that of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, which is designed to carry people to the edge of space.

The Stratolaunch, built by Stratolaunch Systems Corp., has six Boeing 747 engines and will carry a payload of more than 500,000 pounds.