The Latest: Stratolaunch CEO: Aircraft landed spectacularly

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Stratolaunch, a giant six-engine aircraft with the world’s longest wingspan , makes its historic first flight from the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, Calif., Saturday, April 13, 2019. Founded by the late billionaire Paul G. Allen, Stratolaunch is vying to be a contender in the market for air-launching small satellites. (AP Photo/Matt Hartman)

The Latest on initial flight of aircraft with world's longest wingspan (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

A giant aircraft with the world's longest wingspan took off from California Saturday morning and flew 2 ½ hours, achieving a maximum speed of 189 mph (304 kph).

Stratolaunch CEO Jean Floyd said the aircraft made a spectacular landing.

A company press release said the twin-fuselage jet hit altitudes up to 17,000 feet (5,181 meters) above the Mojave Desert while performance and handling qualities were evaluated.

Founded by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, Stratolaunch is vying to be a contender in the satellite launch market. The aircraft is designed to release rockets attached to the center of its enormous wing, which stretches 385 feet (117 meters) from tip to tip.

Floyd said in a teleconference briefing that it was amazing to "watch this majestic bird take flight" and he whispered a "thank-you" to Allen, who died in October 2018.

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10:20 a.m.

A giant aircraft with the world's longest wingspan has landed after its first ever flight.

The twin-fuselage Stratolaunch jet landed two hours after taking off from Mojave Air and Space Port early Saturday.

Founded by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, Stratolaunch is vying to be a contender in the satellite launch market.

The aircraft is designed to release rockets attached to the center of its enormous wing, which stretches 385 feet (117 meters) from tip to tip — a longer wingspan than any other aircraft.

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9:30 a.m.

A giant six-engine aircraft with the world's longest wingspan has taken off from California on its first flight.

The massive, twin-fuselage Stratolaunch jet designed to air-launch rockets into orbit lifted off from Mojave Air and Space Port early Saturday.

Founded by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, Stratolaunch is vying to be a contender in the satellite launch market.

The aircraft is designed to release rockets attached to the center of its enormous wing, which stretches 385 feet (117 meters) from tip to tip — a longer wingspan than any other aircraft.

Stratolaunch recently dropped plans to develop its own line of rockets and will focus on launching Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL.

Allen died in October 2018.