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Microsoft founder Paul Allen unveils space-rocket plan Microsoft founder Paul Allen unveils space-rocket plan
(40 minutes later)
The co-founder of Microsoft has announced plans to build a new spaceship that could launch unmanned rockets and carry cargo into space. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has announced plans to launch unmanned rockets and carry cargo into space.
Paul Allen, 58, plans to develop a giant aircraft that could put spaceships into orbit, rather than lifting them off from a launch pad. The 58-year-old plans to develop a giant aircraft that would put spaceships into orbit, rather than lifting them off from a launch pad.
Earlier this year Nasa closed its space shuttle programme after 30 years. Other moguls are in the private space race, too, after Nasa this year ended its 30-year space shuttle programme.
Virgin Galactica is working on a commercial space venture which aims to fly passengers into sub-orbit by 2013.Virgin Galactica is working on a commercial space venture which aims to fly passengers into sub-orbit by 2013.
Aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan is a partner on Mr Allen's project, which is to be called Stratolaunch Systems. Aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan is a partner on Mr Allen's project, which is called Stratolaunch Systems.
The project is the latest to be led by Silicon Valley tycoons who think they spy a gap in demand opened by the retirement of the US government's space shuttle programme.The project is the latest to be led by Silicon Valley tycoons who think they spy a gap in demand opened by the retirement of the US government's space shuttle programme.
'Never stop dreaming''Never stop dreaming'
While Nasa has traditionally launched rockets into space from a launch pad, the Stratolaunch Systems aircraft would drop unmanned rockets from high-flying aircraft, and eventually undertake manned missions too. While Nasa put rockets into space from a launch pad, the Stratolaunch plan is to launch unmanned rockets from high-flying aircraft, and eventually undertake manned missions too.
The developers said their aircraft could ferry cargo for the commercial satellite industry and the International Space Station.The developers said their aircraft could ferry cargo for the commercial satellite industry and the International Space Station.
The aircraft would be powered by six 747 jumbo jet engines and have a wingspan of 385 feet (117m), developers said. The giant plane would be powered by six 747 jumbo jet engines and have a wingspan of 385ft (117m), developers said.
It would be wider than the biggest aircraft ever, legendary Hollywood tycoon Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose.It would be wider than the biggest aircraft ever, legendary Hollywood tycoon Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose.
The first test flights are scheduled to begin in 2016.The first test flights are scheduled to begin in 2016.
Mr Allen and Mr Rutan said that preliminary designs for the Stratolaunch aircraft have been put together over the course of 10 years.Mr Allen and Mr Rutan said that preliminary designs for the Stratolaunch aircraft have been put together over the course of 10 years.
Construction has begun on a hangar for the giant aircraft in California's Mojave Desert, they said. Construction has begun on a hangar in California's Mojave Desert, they said.
In 2004 the duo created SpaceShipOne, a sub-orbital rocket that became the first privately financed, manned spaceship to be launched into space. In 2004 the duo created SpaceShipOne, a sub-orbital rocket that became the first privately financed, manned spaceship.
"When I was growing up, America's space programme was the symbol of aspiration," Mr Allen said at a news conference in Seattle."When I was growing up, America's space programme was the symbol of aspiration," Mr Allen said at a news conference in Seattle.
"For me, the fascination with space never ended. I never stopped dreaming what might be possible.""For me, the fascination with space never ended. I never stopped dreaming what might be possible."
The plane will carry a booster rocket on its belly, to be built by a space company owned by Elon Musk of PayPal, who has already built a successful commercial rocket. Stratolaunch's plane will carry a booster rocket on its belly, to be built by a space company owned by Elon Musk of PayPal, who has already built a successful commercial rocket.
Other technology titans who have made forays into the private space industry include Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, whose venture, Blue Origin, is trying to reduce the costs of commercial space tourism. Other technology titans who have made forays into the private space industry include Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com.
British tycoon Richard Branson's Virgin Galactica aims to take passengers into sub-orbital space.British tycoon Richard Branson's Virgin Galactica aims to take passengers into sub-orbital space.
Dropping rockets into space is not a new technique, but can offer more launch flexibility and minimise range requirements and weather constraints, developers said. Dropping rockets into space is not a new technique, but can offer more launch flexibility and minimise weather constraints, developers said.
It can also be more cost effective by saving on rocket fuel. It can also save on rocket fuel.
Orbital Sciences Corp, an older rocket company, has used this method of launching payloads such as unmanned rockets and satellites.Orbital Sciences Corp, an older rocket company, has used this method of launching payloads such as unmanned rockets and satellites.