The world's biggest plane is set to take off early next year in its groundbreaking first test flight.
The aircraft, named the Stratolaunch Carrier, is currently under construction at Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, and will eventually have a wingspan of 117 metres.
It will be so huge that if the plane sat in the centre of a football field, it would be wide enough for its wings to reach 3.8 metres beyond each goalpost.
THE STRATOLAUNCH CARRIER AIRCRAFT: KEY FACTS
- Wingspan: 385 feet (117 metres)
- Engines: Six 747-class engines
- Fuselage length: 238 feet (72 metres)
- Weight: 1,200,000 lb (544,311 kg)
- Maximum speed: 460 knots, 530 mph (850 km/h)
- Maiden launch: Flight testing will begin in 2016. The first launch of the space launch vehicle is likely to take place in 2018.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
