Stratolaunch space company denies rumors it's closing down

cnet ^ | May 31, 2019 | Corinne Reichert

[BenLurkin]

The space vehicle launch company owned by the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, has confirmed that it's still operational, following a report that it was closing shop.

Earlier Friday, Reuters said four sources told it that Stratolaunch Systems Corporation would be closing down.

Stratolaunch has been developing a series of space launch vehicles including a super-sized aircraft. In August 2018, the company unveiled a lineup of vehicles.

The Stratolaunch plane was designed to launch a Pegasus XL rocket, with the company also designing three other launch vehicles including a three-core rocket that would carry 15 times the Pegasus payload, and a medium launch vehicle.

[Vince Ferrer]

Unfortunately they will eventually shut down. They were started I think before Spacex had had a successful flight and reusability was a dream. But Spacex has out hustled them.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[Ozark Tom]

The question is would the Stratolaunch mother-ship be of any utility for a space tourism operation like that of Richard Branson?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They’re dead, Jim.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks fieldmarshaldj. Overtaken by events, and by the more nimble.