One Step Closer to Commercial Space: Spaceport America Dedicates 'Spaceway'

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority officials dedicated in October 2010 the nearly two-mile long “Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway” at Spaceport America, representing significant progress toward launching commercial customers into space from the desert of New Mexico. Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and future Virgin Galactic astronauts attended the dedication In October, which included a flyover and landing by Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, in a captive carry with SpaceShipTwo.

Virgin Galactic’s spaceship will soon be making powered flights, propelled by anew hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program. The investment deal with new partners Aabar has successfully closed, securing funding for the remainder of the development program and an unprecedented number of people are coming forward to secure their own reservations for this incredible experience.

The hangar at Spaceport America will serve as the operating hub for Virgin Galactic and is expected to house up to two WhiteKnightTwos and five SpaceShipTwos, in addition to all of Virgin’s astronaut preparation facilities and mission control.

The 42-inch thick spaceway is designed to support nearly every type of aircraft in the world today. It is made up of 24 inches of prepared sub-grade, followed by four inches of asphalt, and finished with a 14-inch layer of concrete. The spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.

Spaceport America, being built on a 27-square-mile site 45 miles northeast of Las Cruces, has been providing commercial launch services since 2006. The state-of-the-art launch facility is under construction near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is expected to become fully operational in 2011. Officials at Spaceport America have been working closely with their anchor tenant Virgin Galactic and other leading aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, Armadillo Aerospace, and UP Aerospace to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility. The economic impact of launches, tourism and new construction at Spaceport America are already delivering on its promise to the people of New Mexico.

Visit Spaceport America

One Step Closer to Commercial Space: Spaceport America Dedicates 'Spaceway' The New Mexico Spaceport Authority officials dedicated in October 2010 the nearly two-mile long “Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway” at Spaceport America, representing significant progress toward launching commercial customers into space from the desert of New Mexico. Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and future Virgin Galactic astronauts attended the dedication In October, which included a flyover and landing by Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, in a captive carry with SpaceShipTwo. Virgin Galactic’s spaceship will soon be making powered flights, propelled by anew hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program. The investment deal with new partners Aabar has successfully closed, securing funding for the remainder of the development program and an unprecedented number of people are coming forward to secure their own reservations for this incredible experience. The hangar at Spaceport America will serve as the operating hub for Virgin Galactic and is expected to house up to two WhiteKnightTwos and five SpaceShipTwos, in addition to all of Virgin’s astronaut preparation facilities and mission control. The 42-inch thick spaceway is designed to support nearly every type of aircraft in the world today. It is made up of 24 inches of prepared sub-grade, followed by four inches of asphalt, and finished with a 14-inch layer of concrete. The spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles. Spaceport America, being built on a 27-square-mile site 45 miles northeast of Las Cruces, has been providing commercial launch services since 2006. The state-of-the-art launch facility is under construction near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is expected to become fully operational in 2011. Officials at Spaceport America have been working closely with their anchor tenant Virgin Galactic and other leading aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, Armadillo Aerospace, and UP Aerospace to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility. The economic impact of launches, tourism and new construction at Spaceport America are already delivering on its promise to the people of New Mexico. Visit Spaceport America © 2010
	Another Website. Also visit Offbeat New York for travel information for New York City