Giant expected the aircraft will make a brief refueling stop at St. John's International Airport (YYT) and then continue on to Florida, where the spacecraft is scheduled to launch.
This is not the first time Airbus has been involved in a satellite flight. with the help of “Beluga”. Last October, Airbus Beluga was used to deliver another satellite, Eutelsat.
And in 2009, the aircraft was useful for transporting one of the modules of the International Space Station. The Beluga did not fly to the US again until 2022.
Airbus Beluga was introduced in 1995 as a modified version of the A300 designed to carry bulky cargo such as helicopters, aircraft and spacecraft wings. The liner features a unique hinged cargo door that opens upwards and is one of the largest aircraft in the world.
Given that oversized cargo is an extremely niche category, Airbus has only produced five Belugas. In addition, the company expects to replace all five Belugas in the coming years. successor to the Beluga XL.
