Beal Aerospace

Beal Aerospace
PIONEERING PRIVATE SPACE EXPLORATION
In 1997, as part of a space privatization trend encouraged by the federal government, Andy Beal started an aerospace company to build rockets with the goal of placing communications satellites in orbit. Operating with more than 200 employees from a 163,000-square-foot space in Frisco, TX, Beal Aerospace focused on a three-stage, 200-foot-tall rocket. Powered by hydrogen peroxide and kerosene, the engine eliminated the need for a separate ignition system because, as the hydrogen peroxide oxidized, it ignited the kerosene.

In light of competition from new NASA-funded group initiatives, Mr. Beal closed the company and ceased operations on Oct. 23, 2000, citing the difficulty a private company faced in competing with the governmental subsidies of NASA.

This is an unofficial page managed by a former Beal Aerospace employee.