First Spaceport Combined With Commercial Service Airport

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation says it welcomes the announcement by the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation that the spaceport license application for Midland International Airport has been approved, making it the 9th U.S. spaceport. The newly-named Midland International Air & Space Port is the first primarily commercial service airport to be awarded a spaceport licence under the Federal Aviation Regulation Part 420, and has already attracted two notable commercial companies, XCOR Aerospace and Orbital Outfitters.

“Texas has always played a pivotal role in spaceflight history, and Midland is now poised to serve the next generation of commercial spaceflight as an incubator and collaborative environment for the aerospace community,” said CSF Incoming President Eric Stallmer. “The co-location of this spaceport with a thriving commercial airport is an exciting industry milestone and I congratulate Midland on their achievement.”

CSF Executive members XCOR Aerospace and Orbital Outfitters have both expanded operations to Midland. XCOR Aerospace is currently completing hangar renovations for their Lynx spacecraft and Orbital Outfitters is planning a new spacesuit manufacturing and altitude chamber complex.

FMI: www.commercialspaceflight.org