Virgin Galactic: New Mexico Spaceport Bill Voted In

[Danderman]

Voters in Dona Ana County passed a local referendum concerning a tax hike to finance Spaceport America.

http://www.kdbc.com/news/local/6894742.html

"Spaceport America is hoping to be up and running by 2009.  Virgin Galactic claims they already have hundreds if not thousands of flights into space reserved. "

 

[astrobrian]

Quite a few famous names on the list to go up too. If they get the spaceport up and running by 2009 it should be good timing overall for VG.  Interesting timing too as that may be the only manned spaceflights technically for a few years

[halkey]

Other than Star Chaser and VG, are there any other companies who have expressed interest in using the spaceport? I wonder if SpaceX has given any thought to using the spaceport.  Seems like it would be a lot cheaper and efficient than using a military base way out at sea (but now that I think about it, their first stage probably requires a water landing.)  

[Jim]

halkey - 8/4/2007  4:28 AM

Other than Star Chaser and VG, are there any other companies who have expressed interest in using the spaceport? I wonder if SpaceX has given any thought to using the spaceport.  Seems like it would be a lot cheaper and efficient than using a military base way out at sea (but now that I think about it, their first stage probably requires a water landing.)  

This "spaceport" is oriented towards RLV's vs standard ELV's (It is basically an airport).  It couldn't handle the incidents like the first spacex launch.  Plus there are overflight issues.

The spacex first stage reusability is TBD.

[bad_astra]

With MARS, Mojave, Kodiak etc, I can't see a need for another spaceport.