Artist’s rendition of Orbital ATK’s Pegasus rocket with Stratolaunch’s aircraft. Photo: Orbital ATK

[Via Satellite 10-06-2016] Orbital ATK has entered a multi-year production-based partnership with Stratolaunch Systems to provide several Pegasus XL air-launch vehicles for use with the Stratolaunch aircraft. The combination of Pegasus XL and the Stratolaunch aircraft will target small satellites weighing up to 1,000 pounds for missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The Stratolaunch aircraft is to have a wingspan of 385 feet, a length of 238 feet and a maximum takeoff weight of 1.3 million pounds. Pegasus has carried out 42 space launch missions, successfully placing more than 80 satellites into orbit for scientific, commercial, defense and international customers.