Stratolaunch announced today that it has successfully completed the first separation release test of the Talon-A vehicle, TA-0. This marked the eleventh test for the company’s launch platform Roc and the second time the team has conducted flight operations in Vandenberg Space Force Base’s Western Range off California’s central coast.
It lasted for approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes, including a risk reduction demonstration of the Talon-A launch system to show that it can cleanly as well as safely separate hypersonic vehicles from Roc’s center-wing pylon. This test also confirmed the connection between the vehicles and Vandenberg Space Force Base’s communication assets, thus guaranteeing that successful backup telemetry data collection will occur during future hypersonic flight tests. The first hypersonic flight of TA-1 should take place some time in late summer.
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Today’s test was exceptional. It was exhilarating to see TA-0 release safely away from Roc, and I commend our team and partners. Our hardware and data collection systems performed as anticipated, and we now stand at the precipice of achieving hypersonic flight. We also thank the Western Range, Vandenberg Space Force Base, for their continued support of our test operations,” said Dr. Zachary Krevor, Stratolaunch CEO.
