Fri, Jun 19, 2009
Business Model Goes Beyond Tourism
Officials from the New
Mexico Spaceport Authority have scheduled a formal ground breaking
ceremony of Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built
commercial spaceport, for Friday, June 19. Governor Bill Richardson
and other VIP's will be on hand to begin work on the site in the
New Mexico desert, which they hope will be open for business next
year.
"The realization of Spaceport America is upon us. New Mexico has
been working towards this end for decades," said NMSA Executive
Director Steve Landeene. "When we turn that first shovel of soil,
we will be breaking ground on a whole new future for the people of
New Mexico and their children. This is a significant step in the
history and future of spaceflight." Landeene's staff is working to
develop a schedule of events and activities to make the ground
breaking enjoyable and memorable for all in attendance.
According to The Washington Post, Spaceport America got a
rocket-like boost when voters in Sierra County, which will be home
to the spaceport, joined adjacent Dona Ana county in approving a
sales tax increase to help fund the venture. The project must still
clear environmental hurdles, and Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip Two
has yet to be approved as spaceworthy, but 275 potential spece
travelers have already paid a total of more than $35 million for
the privilege of a ride to the fringe of space.
New Mexico isn't the only state with space in it's business
plan. Florida, Virginia, Alaska, Oklahoma, and California all
have expressed an interest in a commercial spaceport. But New
Mexico has Virgin Galactic, which is negotiating a long-term lease
at the facility just outside Truth or Consequences for it's world
headquarters.
The business model goes beyond space tourism, though. Steven
Landeene, told the Post "Space tourism is the first phase, along
with the commercial launching of satellites and spacecraft that can
carry cargo and even astronauts to the international space station
and maybe later the moon. But it's possible to begin thinking about
a point-to-point network where passengers can rocket from one place
to another at speeds much faster than today."
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