Paul Allen, Burt Rutan, and SpaceX team up for new space venture, Stratolaunch

Xeni Jardin 9:04 pm Tue Dec 13, 2011

Billionaire Microsoft founder Paul Allen has teamed up with spaceflight pioneer Burt Rutan and Elon Musk's SpaceX to develop Stratolaunch, new launch system with "a gross weight of more than 1.2 million pounds and a wingspan greater than the length of a football field, making it the largest air launch system ever developed".

It will be the largest aircraft, by wingspan, to ever fly, and will do so with a rocket strapped to its belly. It will carry satellites, cargo, and tourists. Allen is committing some $200 million of his wealth to the venture.

Lots of news coverage today: AP, MSNBC.com, LA Times, Wall Street Journal.

(Thanks, Noggin)

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