An exciting new project to launch rockets into orbit from a flying launch-pad is being backed by one of the world’s richest men. Microsoft co-founder Paul G Allen’s consortium will build the world’s biggest aircraft, a twin-hulled jet powered by six jumbo jet engines, to send boosters into space.

You can read my full report on this revolutionary Stratolaunch Systems concept, which is based on the White Knight/SpaceShipTwo configuration that Virgin Galactic will use to carry space tourists, on the space website SEN.