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Stratolaunch Systems Mega-Plane
Credit: Dynetics/Stratolaunch Systems
This image shows the planned Stratolaunch Systems carrier aircraft.
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Stratolaunch Systems Aircraft Releases Rocket
Credit: Dynetics/Stratolaunch Systems
An artist's impression of the Stratolaunch Systems carrier aircraft releasing a rocket.
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Stratolaunch Maximizes Launch Flexibility
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
This image shows the giant aircraft that will be used to launch private spacecraft carrying cargo and people into orbit on flights by Stratolaunch Systems, a venture unveiled by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen on Dec. 13, 2011.
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Stratolaunch Systems: Any Orbit, Anytime
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
The logo for Stratolaunch Systems, a new private spaceflight company backed by billionaire investor Paul Allen to provide private trips to space for people, cargo and satellites.
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Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft Revealed
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
A labeled look at the colossal carrier aircraft planned by Stratolaunch Systems to launch rockets and space capsules into Earth orbit.
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Stratolaunch Could Deliver Payloads to Orbit
Credit: Stratolaunch
A video still by Stratolaunch Systems indicates they can deliver manned spacecraft and unmanned payloads to orbit.
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Stratolaunch Systems: Giant Air-based Rocket Launch Pad
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
This image released by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's Stratolaunch Systems spotlights the company's giant twin-boom aircraft launch pad for private spaceflights.
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Stratolaunch Powered by Six 747 Engines
Credit: Stratolaunch
A video still by Stratolaunch Systems indicates their aircraft will be powered by six 747 engines.
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Stratolaunch Gross Weight: Over 1.2 Million Pounds
Credit: Stratolaunch
A video still by Stratolaunch Systems indicates their aircraft will possess a gross weight of over 1.2 million pounds.
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Stratolaunch Systems: Giant Air-based Rocket Launch Pad
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
This image released by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's Stratolaunch Systems spotlights the company's giant twin-boom aircraft launch pad for private spaceflights.
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Stratolaunch Systems Cargo
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
The image shows the space plane can carry a heavy load of cargo.
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Stratolaunch Systems Flying in the Sky
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
This photo shows the space plane will be designed to have an orbital mission range of 1,300 nautical miles.
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Stratolaunch Systems Side Vide
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
Side view of the Stratolaunch Systems plane.
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Stratolaunch Systems Any Orbit
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
The company prides itself on being able to get to "any orbit. anytime."
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Stratolaunch Systems Orbital Release
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
The Stratolaunch System space plane capsule release.
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Burt Rutan and Paul Allen - SpaceShipOne
Credit: Scaled Composites
Aerospace designer Burt Rutan (left) and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen (right). Rutan's company, Scaled Composites, designed SpaceShipOne, the privately-built suborbital rocket plane that snagged the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004. SpaceShipOne was bankrolled by Allen. Rutan retired from Scaled Composites in April 2011.
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Meet: Paul G. Allen
Credit: Stratolaunch Systems
Billionaire investor Paul G. Allen has launched a new company called Stratolaunch Systems to provide private space launches for people, cargo and satellites.
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Stratolaunch Systems Airborne Rocket Launcher
Credit: Dynetics/Stratolaunch Systems
An artist's impression of the Stratolaunch Systems carrier aircraft.






































