Who do I contact about locating my space-related business at the Spaceport America?
Contact Clark Krause at the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 888-715-5293

How can my company get a contract as part of building Spaceport America?
Spaceport America is a large-scale project, so naturally a series of contracts will be awarded eventually. The first contract was issued in June 2006 to DMJM for architectural and engineering programming. Additional Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will follow. To keep up to date, visit our RFP page.

I’m an individual who works in building trades. How do I get a job with a company who is building Spaceport America?
Futron Corporation estimates that construction of Spaceport America will employ 2,460 people. However, since construction isn’t slated to begin until late 2008 early 2009, it’s a little early to look for a job just yet. We recommend you keep an eye on our Contractors page. As contracts are awarded and posted, you’ll have a good general idea of who will be hiring.

How many people will be employed at Spaceport America?
Projections vary, but either way, the results are going to be good, really good, or huge. An independent study conducted by New Mexico State University projects that 2,300 people will be employed at Spaceport America by its fifth year of operation. A second study conducted by Futron Corporation projects that Spaceport America will employ 3,500 people by 2020. For more info, you can download the studies here: Economic Impact.

Will Virgin Galactic be the only company operating at Spaceport America?
No, but we expect it to be the major commercial spaceline there—just as American Airlines is the major carrier at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, for example. Currently, Rocket Racing League, Starchaser Industries, UP Aerospace, and the X Prize Cup are committed to making Spaceport America their headquarters. We envision a future where many space travel businesses are located at Spaceport America.

Have there been any launches at Spaceport America?
Up Aerospace has launched their rockets in September of 2006, April 2007 and December of 2007 from a temporary facility in the Spaceport area using an amateur class launch license.

What is the cost to go up in space on Virgin Galactic?
The initial ticket price is $200,000. Virgin Galactic expects the price to fall over time, as with any new technology, enabling more people to have this experience. According to Virgin Galactic, more than 45,000 people from 120 countries have registered as potential astronauts.

Will it always be so expensive?
If the airline industry is any indication, the price of suborbital space travel will decrease dramatically in our lifetimes. For example: in 1950, Pan American Airlines advertised a flight from New York to Rome for $786. (Do a quick search on your preferred airline’s website, and you’ll find that you can make the flight for roughly the same price right now.) However, in 2006 dollars, that Pan Am ticket would cost $6,371! Clearly, the cost of air travel has decreased over time, and it is likely suborbital space travel will, too.

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