Date of Birth: June 17, 1943
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Biography
Elbert Leander “Burt” Rutan is an American aerospace engineer and entrepreneur known for his innovative designs and contributions to aviation. Born on June 17, 1943, in Estacada, Oregon, Rutan developed an early fascination with aviation, leading him to pursue a career that would revolutionize the field. He graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University in 1965. Rutan began his career at Edwards Air Force Base as a flight test engineer but soon founded his own company, Rutan Aircraft Factory, in 1974. He gained widespread recognition with the Voyager aircraft, which, in 1986, became the first plane to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. In 1982, he founded Scaled Composites, a company that focused on experimental aircraft and spacecraft. Perhaps his most significant achievement came in 2004 with the development of SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded spacecraft to enter suborbital space twice within two weeks. This triumph earned him the Ansari X Prize and cemented his legacy as a pioneer in the field of private space exploration. Rutan officially retired in 2011 but continues to be an influential figure in aerospace engineering and innovation.
5 Interesting Facts about Burt Rutan
1. Burt Rutan’s Voyager aircraft made the first nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world in 1986.
2. He founded two influential companies: Rutan Aircraft Factory and Scaled Composites.
3. SpaceShipOne, designed by Rutan, won the Ansari X Prize in 2004 for being the first privately funded spacecraft to enter suborbital space twice in two weeks.
4. Rutan has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Citizen’s Medal in 1986.
5. He is known for his unconventional and often radical aircraft designs, which prioritize efficiency and performance.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Burt Rutan
1. “Testing leads to failure, and failure leads to understanding.”
2. “Innovation is not a process; it’s a result.”
3. “I don’t think there will be a space tourism industry until we have a vehicle that can do it profitably.”
4. “Achieving something that has never been done before requires a great deal of confidence.”
5. “True exploration is going to places where you don’t think you are going to succeed.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Burt Rutan’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $50 million.
Children
Burt Rutan has one child, a son named Jeffrey Rutan.
Relevant Links
1. [Burt Rutan on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Rutan
2. [Scaled Composites official website](http://www.scaled.com/
3. [Voyager Aircraft](https://www.californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/air/voyager
5. [Burt Rutan’s TED Talk](https://www.ted.com/speakers/burt_rutan
