Stargazer (aircraft)
| Stargazer | |
|---|---|
| Stargazer in Northrop Grumman livery, carrying the Pegasus XL for the TacRL-2 mission from Vandenberg (June 2021) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Lockheed L-1011 TriStar |
| Status | In service |
| Owners |
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| Construction number | 193E-1067 |
| Registration |
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| History | |
| First flight | February 22, 1974 |
| In service | 1974–present |
Stargazer is a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar built in 1974 and modified in 1994 by Orbital Sciences (now part of Northrop Grumman) to serve as the mother ship for the Pegasus, an air-launched orbital rocket. As of June 2021, it has conducted 39 Pegasus launches carrying nearly 100 satellites. It is the only airworthy L-1011 remaining in service as of 2026.
Although Stargazer has not supported a Pegasus launch since 2021, it has continued to fly regular missions for undisclosed customers, including missile and flight-test work.