Stratolaunch Systems Mega-Plane

This image shows the planned Stratolaunch Systems carrier aircraft.

Stratolaunch Systems Aircraft Releases Rocket

An artist's impression of the Stratolaunch Systems carrier aircraft releasing a rocket.

Stratolaunch Maximizes Launch Flexibility

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.

Stratolaunch Systems: Any Orbit, Anytime

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.

Stratolaunch Carrier Aircraft Revealed

A labeled look at the colossal carrier aircraft planned by Stratolaunch Systems to launch rockets and space capsules into Earth orbit.

Stratolaunch Could Deliver Payloads to Orbit

A video still by Stratolaunch Systems indicates they can deliver manned spacecraft and unmanned payloads to orbit.

Stratolaunch Systems: Giant Air-based Rocket Launch Pad

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.

Stratolaunch Powered by Six 747 Engines

A video still by Stratolaunch Systems indicates their aircraft will be powered by six 747 engines.

Stratolaunch Gross Weight: Over 1.2 Million Pounds

A video still by Stratolaunch Systems indicates their aircraft will possess a gross weight of over 1.2 million pounds.

Stratolaunch Systems: Giant Air-based Rocket Launch Pad

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.

Stratolaunch Systems Cargo

The image shows the space plane can carry a heavy load of cargo.

Stratolaunch Systems Flying in the Sky

This photo shows the space plane will be designed to have an orbital mission range of 1,300 nautical miles.

Stratolaunch Systems Side Vide

Side view of the Stratolaunch Systems plane.

Stratolaunch Systems Any Orbit

The company prides itself on being able to get to "any orbit. anytime."

Stratolaunch Systems Orbital Release

The Stratolaunch System space plane capsule release.

Burt Rutan and Paul Allen - SpaceShipOne

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.

Meet: Paul G. Allen

Billionaire investor Paul G. Allen has launched a new company called Stratolaunch Systems to provide private space launches for people, cargo and satellites.

Stratolaunch Systems Airborne Rocket Launcher

An artist's impression of the Stratolaunch Systems carrier aircraft.

Stratolaunch Images: Paul Allen's Giant Rocket-Launching Plane

Date: 13 December 2011 Time: 01:30 PM ET
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