Aiming for the Stars

摘要

Stratolaunch Systems of Vulcan Inc is leading a team to develop a private space transportation system that is aiming to achieve inexpensive, reliable access to space. Building on the concept pioneered by Scaled Composites with the Model 348 WhiteKnightTwo air-launcher, the company is working on a new large aircraft able to carry a rocket aloft to place payloads into low Earth orbit. Vulcan Inc is owned by Paul Allen, who funded the Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne suborbital spaceship, which won the Ansari X prize after becoming the first privately funded vehicle to put a man into space. He announced the formation of Stratolaunch Systems on December 13, 2011.