Manchester based Moliere funds space project

The X prize is a race to get a three man rocket into space, where the first enterprise to do so will receive $10 million. Moliere's sponsorship will be used to fund the Launch Escape System - the system that will protect the crew against dangerous emergencies through all stages of launch and flight.

Thunderstar, the 89ft rocket, is based on a previous rocket dubbed Thunderbird, first revealed back in 1996 when the group started their efforts. While the Moliere sponsorship is helping the Starchaser team significantly, they still need more sponsors to finish up the rocket.

Moliere say that it uses technology to reduce customer risks, so sponsoring the safety LES system compliments the company's ethics nicely. Spokesman for Moliere, Tim Hopper, said he's delighted about Moliere's involvements with Starchaser, and that "Starchaser's accomplishments and goals are worthy and demand support". µ