Texas’ own private space program

Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in the July 2007 issue of Texas Innovator.

A small, private company in Mesquite is working toward inexpensive, reliable access to space.

Armadillo Aerospace is the brainchild of John Carmack, a Texas software entrepreneur. Armadillo is employing a “modular” approach that combines multiple, relatively inexpensive rocket motors into computer-controlled assemblages.

“The modular vehicles will be capable of sub-orbital space flights in a single stage and orbital space flight in multi-stage format,” said Neil Milburn, Armadillo vice president.

In January 2007, the company received a one-year, $100,000 contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to evaluate Armadillo’s rocket technology.

For more information, contact Armadillo Aerospace.