Another top official with Oklahoma City-based Rocketplane has left the company.
Rocketplane president Randy Brinkley resigned and has been replaced by a member of the company’s board of directors, according to a report by Space News, which wrote that Brinkley sent NASA a seven-page letter blaming the space agency for Rocketplane’s financial troubles.
Brinkley is the latest in a string of high-level departures from Rocketplane. Earlier this year, Chief Engineer David Urie and Chief of Staff Bob Seto quit the Oklahoma company.
NASA spokeswoman Melissa Mathews said Oct. 3 that the agency had not yet made a decision to terminate RpK’s agreement.
PROBLEMS
For most of this year, Rocketplane – which received an $18 million tax credit from the state to help build a spaceship for passenger service – has been hit with bad news. Last month, NASA informed company officials it was taking steps to terminate a $207 million contract it had awarded Rocketplane a year ago.
Last month, NASA informed company officials it was taking steps to terminate a $207 million contract NASA awarded Rocketplane a year ago.
Also, a marketing firm in Illinois filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Rocketplane for breach of contract, claiming Rocketplane officials have stopped building and raising money for the spaceship. The Illinois firm had a contract with Rocketplane to sell and promote space flights. -Scott Cooper
More Rocketplane coverage:
Ex-Rocketplane chief engineer says funding diverted from tourism vehicle
Rocketplane lays off manager, seeks $500 million
Rocketplane responds
Texas rocket leaves Oklahoma soil, returns
Rocketplane beat to launch by Texas company
Another rocket company ready to do business with state
Rocketplane begins staff layoffs
This article appears in Oct 10-16, 2007.