SpaceDev Founder Jim Benson Dies at 63

[johnnie]

American entrepreneur Jim Benson, founder of the aerospace firm SpaceDev that helped build the rocket engine that launched the world's first privately-built manned spaceship into suborbital space, died early Friday of a brain tumor, the company announced today.

Benson died in his sleep from a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor, which he was diagnosed with last year, SpaceDev officials said. He was 63.

"Jim was a true visionary," said Mark Sirangelo, SpaceDev's CEO and Chairman of the Board. "He saw that space exploration could be more effective if done commercially, and formed SpaceDev to make that dream become a reality."

Benson founded the Poway, Calif.-based SpaceDev in 1997 after 30 years working in the computer industry.

In 2003, the firm won a contract to provide key elements of the hybrid rocket engine for SpaceShipOne, a piloted reusable suborbital spacecraft built by aerospace pioneer Burt Rutan and his firm Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif. After a successful June 2004 demonstration flight, SpaceShipOne went on to win the $10 million Ansari X Prize by flying twice in two weeks later that year.


http://www.space.com/news/081010-jimbenson-obit.html

[ixion]

1. R.I.P. Mr. Benson

your commitment to space travel will not soon be forgotten.

[LunaSea]

2. Damn. I knew Benson.

Perhaps not the most likable guy in the space community, but when he set his mind to something, there was no stopping him. Opinionated, smart, and never shy to let you know how he felt.

He made things happen in a very difficult and heartbreaking industry in a rather short time.

Damn.
Ad Astra, Jim.

[LongTomH]

3. I met Jim Benson in Washington, D.C.

We were both part of the "March Storm" citizen's lobbying events sponsored by the Pro-Space Foundation. I wish I had a video of his argument with NASA head Dan Goldin about NASA buying data from private space companies.

At that time, Jim was talking about SpaceDev's first big project: a privately financed asteroid mission.

During March Storm, Jim let slip the fact that he was a Democrat. I wish I had taken the time to talk to him about his political views. I definitely got the impression he favored socialism for the poor and free enterprise for the rich - just the reverse of our current models.

Goodbye Jim! I wish you'd gotten more years to see your dreams come true. May your children and grandchildren live to see them.:cry: