Microsoft Co-Founder to Build Massive Jet for Space Launches

Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen says he will use his wealth to build the world’s largest airplane as a mobile platform for launching satellites at low cost, which he believes could transform the space industry.

Announced Tuesday, the novel, high-risk project conceived by renowned aerospace designer Burt Rutan seeks to combine engines, landing gears and other parts removed from old Boeing 747 jets with a newly created composite craft from Mr. Rutan and a powerful rocket to be built by a company run by Internet billionaire and commercial-space pioneer Elon Musk.

Read the rest of this post on the original site »


Must-Reads from other Web sites

Noreen Malone

Truths Universally Acknowledged

John McCain

John McCain: Cable TV, the Right Way

Hilary Sargent

Where in the World Is Satoshi Nakamoto?

Giselle Abramovich

Why Target Set Up Shop in Silicon Valley

Glenn Fleishman

How Does Copyright Work in Space?

About Voices

Along with original content and posts from across the Dow Jones network, this section of AllThingsD includes Must-Reads From Other Web Sites — pieces we’ve read, discussions we’ve followed, stuff we like. Six posts from external sites are included here each weekday, but we only run the headlines. We link to the original sites for the rest. These posts are explicitly labeled, so it’s clear that the content comes from other Web sites, and for clarity’s sake, all outside posts run against a pink background.

We also solicit original full-length posts and accept some unsolicited submissions.

Voices is edited by Beth Callaghan.