“As always, space remains an unforgiving frontier, and the skies overhead will surely present obstacles and setbacks that must be overcome. But hard challenges demand fresh approaches, and I'm optimistic that Stratolaunch will yield transformative benefits - not only for scientists and space entrepreneurs, but for all of us.”

American businessman, computer programmer, and investor

Paul Gardner Allen was an American businessman, computer programmer, and investor. He co-founded Microsoft Corporation with Bill Gates in 1975 and became a major figure in the rise of personal computing. His work is tied to the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. Forbes ranked him among the richest people in American history, and at the time of his death in October 2018, his estimated net worth was $20.3 billion.