Stratolaunch, the massive aircraft dreamed up by the late Paul Allen, flew for the first time Saturday, becoming the largest plane by wingspan ever to take to the skies. MATT HARTMAN/AP Stratolaunch, a giant six-engine aircraft with the world's longest wingspan, makes its historic first flight from the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave. READ MORE:* Stratolaunch - the world's biggest plane is close to flying* Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen just rolled out the world's largest airplane* World's largest airplane could be used to launch a space shuttle​From the beginning, Allen's dream was to use the plane to help make getting items, and possibly people, into space more affordable and accessible. MATT HARTMAN/AP Stratolaunch was designed to carry as many as three rockets tethered to its belly into the skies. In 2011, though, he was back, announcing his plans to build the world's largest airplane.

Source: Stuff April 14, 2019 00:56 UTC