The first images of the Stratolaunch airplane system have emerged, courtesy of KGET in Bakersfield, and the thing is just as massive we imagined. Bringing the enormous aircraft to fruition is not a done deal, but it's a good sign that the incredible build is under way.

Once finished, the behemoth plane will have a 385-foot wingspan, making it the largest aircraft ever. It's not designed as a passenger plane, though. Backer Paul Allen (he of Microsoft fame) has bigger plans in mind: space launches. The Stratolaunch will fly to a high altitude before deploying a rocket that will detach, then fire off like a missile into orbit. The plane will have two 238-foot long fuselages and 12 landing gears. Carrying the rocket, it will weigh 1,200,000 lbs.

Did we mention this thing is really big?

Flight tests are scheduled for next year, with an official debut in 2018.

Source: KGET, Aviation Week via Sploid

John Wenz Writer John Wenz is a Popular Mechanics writer and space obsessive based in Philadelphia.

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