Stratolaunch flew and landed!

[MT]

[bsudbrink]

I will never understand why they did not join the elevators.

[Smokey]

I will never understand why they did not join the elevators.

extra weight?

[bsudbrink]

I will never understand why they did not join the elevators.

extra weight?

How much extra weight is required to strengthen the wing section between the two fuselages?  And the length of the fuselages for that matter.  I would think the coordination between the rudders and elevators must be incredibly critical or the bird would just twist itself apart.

[Nusa]

I will never understand why they did not join the elevators.

Remember the primary use of the Stratolaunch is as first-stage carrier for other vehicles, which may have vertical rudders of their own. Having open air behind that rudder is highly desirable and was likely a design goal from the beginning.

[Brumby]

I will never understand why they did not join the elevators.

Remember the primary use of the Stratolaunch is as first-stage carrier for other vehicles, which may have vertical rudders of their own. Having open air behind that rudder is highly desirable and was likely a design goal from the beginning.

That was my first reaction, too.

[sleemanj]

It's kinda interesting that both fuselages are the same with external cockpit windows etc, but only one of them is used, the other is empty apart from equipment (and unpressurised).  I guess it was either easier to just copy-paste-mirror the design :-)