Posted: Sat, Oct 11, 2008, 9:52 AM ET (1352 GMT)
Jim Benson, the entrepreneur who founded the commercial space company SpaceDev over a decade ago, died Friday of a brain tumor at the age of 63. Benson founded SpaceDev in 1997 after a career in the computer industry to realize a long-term vision of the commercialization of space. SpaceDev originally sought to develop an asteroid prospecting mission called Near Earth Asteroid Prospector, but later expanded its focus to developing small satellites, launch vehicles, and hybrid propulsion systems. The company is perhaps best known as the manufacturer of the rocket engines on SpaceShipOne. Benson left SpaceDev in 2006, although remained on the company's board, to found Benson Space Company, which sought to develop suborbital vehicles for space tourism; that venture wound down earlier this year.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article
•  SpaceDev press release