Stratolaunch Systems, the private space company founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, says that it is discontinuing development of a new group of rockets and is reported to be laying off “more than 50 people” following Allen’s death last October.
The company told GeekWire that it is “ending the development of their family of launch vehicles and rocket engine,” in order to focus on its flagship aircraft, which is expected to take its first flight this year. That’s a turnaround from the company, which announced plans for the rockets last summer.
Allen co-founded the company in 2011 to develop a massive aircraft that would haul a rocket to an altitude of 35,000 feet, where it would then launch into orbit. Stratolaunch unveiled its...