Posted on 10/11/2019 5:06:15 PM PDT by hoagy62
Stratolaunch said Friday that the company has “transitioned ownership” a year after the death of Paul Allen, the company’s billionaire founder who funded the construction of the world’s largest airplane for an airborne satellite launcher.
The company offered few other details in a statement released to media Friday. It was the first official update on the status of Stratolaunch since its huge rocket carrier aircraft completed its first — and so far only — test flight in April.
“Stratolaunch LLC has transitioned ownership and is continuing regular operations,” the company said in a statement. “Our near-term launch vehicle development strategy focuses on providing customizable, reusable, and affordable rocket-powered testbed vehicles and associated flight services.
Stratolaunch did not identify its new owner Friday, or details on the type of launch vehicle it seeks to develop.
Allen’s holding company, Vulcan Inc., was Stratolaunch’s previous owner. Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft, died last October. Paul Allen’s sister, Jody Allen, currently oversees Vulcan’s holdings.
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceflightnow.com ...
Totally missed that one.
Really? Huh. I thought everyone knew.
So you know, his massive yacht, the ‘Octopus’, is for sale...if y’all have several million just lying around.
Yes, I totally missed it. I checked my log for last October and I was busy selling (and staging) my house for sale as well as traveling for work. Also, I was discovering Linda Ronstadt YouTube videos in my hotel room. So a busy time for me and wasn’t keeping up with the news like I normally do.
Do y’all think we’ll see any more of that big, weird-looking aircraft?
...
I don’t know, but Orbital has been launching small satellites with an L10-11 for 30 years. They barely get one customer per year. Virgin Galactic is going to start launching small satellites with a 747. There are other companies that are developing conventional rockets for launching small satellites.
The customers aren’t there to keep even one company afloat. In general launching satellites is a poor money maker, and the small satellite launch market is worse than pathetic at making money.
China?
Think he had a Mig-29 that should be available.
The Octopus is an awesome vessel. Checked it out at distance with binioculars. The operating costs are more than most could deal with, I am sure.
Yes, Vulcan inc., which was his holding company is the one selling the only US registered mig 29.
Since his death, It’s currently being listed for sale at $4.7 million, which is easy under value considering what it is and what one could make leasing for air show circuit and military war games.
Course anyone buying it will be subject to special regulations by the FAA on where and when it can be flown, as they take a dim view on super sonic capable airplanes making noise complaints.
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