Spaceport in New Mexico Nearing Completion

By Yi Yang
September 2, 2011

Civilians wanting a trip into space may get that opportunity in the near future as New Mexico’s Spaceport America nears completion.

Launched in 2006 by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the spaceport was constructed to bring revenue for the state through economic development, tourism, and educational opportunities. The port was designed to function like an airport, and is dedicated to commercial use.

Although originally anticipated completion was for the fall of 2010, 90 percent of the spaceport construction was completed as of August of this year.

The spaceport is three stories tall, with the highest point at 60 feet, and will have a two-mile-long runway that can be used to accommodate almost any aircraft in the world.

Passengers who pay the $200,000 fee will experience a several-hour space flight, after undergoing several days of training.

After the economic downturn that followed the 2008 stock market crash, many—including New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez—were concerned that the project would no longer bring the expected $750 million revenue and 3,500 jobs predicted in 2005. The spaceport also needs a significant amount of money to operate, and the funding had come from the state.

“This is a major state investment, and we owe it to taxpayers to ensure that they are seeing the most equitable return on that investment,” a New Mexico state spokesperson wrote in an e-mailed statement. He added that Martinez does recognize that the project has the potential to bring many long-lasting high technology jobs to the desolate area.

Despite the slow economy, the spaceport was still able to attract some businesses. Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, UP Aerospace, Inc., Microgravity Enterprises, Inc., Armadillo Aerospace, and Celestis have already used the spaceport for launches. Officials are confident that the spaceport will be a success.

“We’re still seeing an increasing emphasize on commercial providers in space so we’re seeing very favorable markets for us despite the economy,” said Bill Gutman, technical director of Spaceport America.

He added that the flow of customers is not likely to be affected as well.

“Our customers are not affected by the economic downturn as much as many people are,” said Gutman. “The fare is $200,000, and if you can already afford that, that already puts you in the elite part of the world economy, and those people tend not to be as affected.”

The $209 million project stemmed from an agreement between the state of New Mexico and Virgin Galactic, a branch under the Virgin Companies owned by Sir Richard Branson.

In a 20-year lease agreement, it was settled that Virgin Galactic would set up its headquarters in New Mexico and serve as an airline for the spaceport by paying lease fees, and providing aircraft.

Test flights are in progress, but Virgin Galactic has not announced a specific date as to when they will begin to carry passengers into space.

Source: The Epoch Times.
Link: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/spaceport-in-new-mexico-nearing-completion-61082.html.