Jim Benson announced Sept. 28 that he has stepped down as chairman and chief technology officer of Spacedev, a company he founded nearly a decade ago, to start a commercial space tourism venture, Benson Space Company.

“I am dedicated to opening space for all of humanity,” Benson said in a statement. “I plan to spend the next several years creating the possibility that anyone who wants to go to space will be able to, safely and affordably.”

Under Benson, Spacedev developed hybrid rocket motor technology and furnished all of the rocket motors for Paul Allen’s Spaceshipone, the craft that won the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004. The company owns patents and intellectual-property rights associated with several hybrid rocket motors used for human spaceflight.

Benson will remain a member of Spacedev’s board of directors.