Stratolaunch Systems has completed the induction of its first B747-400, namely N744VG (msn 32745), having acquired it earlier this year during the bankruptcy of rival Virgin Orbit (OBT).
The 22.2-year-old aircraft will continue to be used as an orbital launch platform and to support Stratolaunch's customers. The B747 was flown back from San Bernardino to Mojave on December 5, 2023, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows, and will "spend a small amount of time on the ground to receive modifications for its new mission and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2024," the company said.
The B747 will assist Stratolaunch's primary testbed and orbital launch platform, the custom-built twin-hull Roc.
