Spaceport America » Press Releases

Spaceport America Welcomes SpaceX for Reusable Rocket Testing Program

spaceport — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:20:22 +0000

Governor Susana Martinez today announced that Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, has signed a three-year agreement to lease land and facilities at Spaceport America to conduct the next phase of flight testing for its reusable rocket program. The company will be a new tenant at Spaceport America, the state-owned commercial launch site located in southern New Mexico.

“I am thrilled that SpaceX has chosen to make New Mexico its home, bringing their revolutionary “Grasshopper” rocket and new jobs with them,” Governor Martinez said today. “We’ve done a lot of work to level the playing field so we can compete in the space industry. This is just the first step in broadening the base out at the Spaceport and securing even more tenants. I’m proud to welcome SpaceX to New Mexico.”

SpaceX has completed its first series of successful, low-altitude tests of the “Grasshopper” vehicle in McGregor, Texas and is proceeding to the next phase of development that includes testing in New Mexico. With Grasshopper, SpaceX engineers are creating technology that will enable a rocket to return to the launch pad intact for a vertical landing, rather than burning up upon reentry in the Earth’s atmosphere.

SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said, “Spaceport America offers us the physical and regulatory landscape needed to complete the next phase of Grasshopper testing. We are pleased to expand our reusable rocket development infrastructure to New Mexico.”

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority has been readying the world’s first purpose-built, commercial spaceport specifically for leading-edge programs like Grasshopper.

Christine Anderson, the NMSA Executive Director, said, “We are excited that SpaceX is coming to Spaceport America, where our first-class service will empower them to focus their full attention on their mission.”

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SpaceX manufactures, and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. Today, SpaceX is advancing the boundaries of space technology through its Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has more than 3,000 employees in California, Texas, Washington D.C., and Florida.

For more information, visit SpaceX.com, and follow SpaceX on Facebook and Twitter: @SpaceX.

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built, commercial spaceport in the world. The launch complex has been providing commercial vertical launch services since 2006, and is situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Virgin Galactic is the spaceport’s anchor tenant.

Governor Susana Martinez Signs Bill to Keep New Mexico at the Forefront of Commercial Spaceflight Industry

spaceport — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:14:03 +0000

Following unanimous passage by the state’s legislature, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed legislation today expanding existing liability protections for spaceflight operators to spaceflight manufacturers and suppliers. The New Mexico Expanded Space Flight Informed Consent Act prevents lawsuit abuse and addresses the inherent risks of space flight and is written to ensure New Mexico’s Spaceport America remains at the forefront of a nationally-competitive and rapidly-growing commercial space industry.

“We are not only reaffirming the major commitment New Mexicans have made to Spaceport America but we now have an even stronger opportunity to grow the number of commercial space jobs at the spaceport and across our state,” said Governor Susana Martinez. “This legislation will prevent lawsuit abuse and make it easier for businesses related to the space travel industry to thrive and succeed right here in New Mexico. After calling for this legislation in 2012 and again in my State of the State address this year, I’m pleased to be able to sign this bill into law today.”

Building on existing legislation passed in 2010, which covered only spaceflight operators like Virgin Galactic, the new law provides coverage to both operators and their supply chain during the critical early years of the industry’s development. The enhancement, which costs taxpayers nothing, still allows legal options for spaceflight participants in cases of willful, wanton or reckless disregard, while creating an environment that enables New Mexico to more successfully recruit and retain commercial space tenants and customers for human spaceflight operations at Spaceport America.

“The Spaceport has the potential to be a major economic driver for New Mexico and it’s absolutely critical that we do everything we can to encourage its success,” added Senator Mary Kay Papen, who sponsored the legislation in the New Mexico Senate.

“This bill will allow the commercial space industry to continue to make a home in New Mexico and add jobs to our state,” said Representative Jim White, who carried the measure in the New Mexico House of Representatives. “This has been a pressing need for some time and it was essential that we addressed this issue during the legislative session, not just to keep Virgin Galactic here in New Mexico, but to allow other, smaller businesses related to the space industry to thrive as well.”

“The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) is grateful to the Governor for her strong support of this bill” said NMSA Chairman Rick Holdridge. “We are also grateful for the collaborative effort between legislators, our bill sponsors, Sen. Mary Kay Papen and Rep. Jim White, and the legion of dedicated local supporters.”

“The passage of this expanded liability protection is extremely important to the future of New Mexico’s leadership position in the commercial space industry, and demonstrates the appreciation and strong support by our Governor for the cutting edge space technology and the associated jobs that will come to our state.” said NMSA Executive Director Christine Anderson. “With this protection enacted, NMSA is now ready and able to get back to the business of building the commercial space industry here in New Mexico. I would like to also emphasize that Spaceport America is open for business.”

Spaceport America has already created over 1,100 construction jobs in New Mexico and the continuing economic impact is already delivering on its promise to the people of New Mexico. From its regular launch business with 18 vertical launches to date and a growing spaceport tourism industry, the spaceport continues to grow. Spaceport America is now generating consistent revenues for the State of New Mexico following the commencement of rent on the 20-year lease of the spaceport’s main terminal hangar facility, signed with Virgin Galactic in 2008. The NMSA continues to work closely with leading aerospace firms such as Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, and UP Aerospace and their customers NASA and the Department of Defense to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility.

Armadillo Aerospace launches their second “STIG-B” rocket from Spaceport America

spaceport — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:57:17 +0000

New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) officials announced today the launch of a STIG-B rocket designed and built by Armadillo Aerospace of Heath, TX. This launch was the second licensed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch to take place from Spaceport America’s vertical launch complex, and the third research and development test flight this year at Spaceport America conducted by Armadillo Aerospace. The partially successful launch took place on Saturday November 3, 2012 at 10:26 AM. The STIG-B rocket returned intact to the planned recovery area at the spaceport after not achieving the planned altitude of 100 km. This was a non-public, unpublished event at the request of Armadillo Aerospace, as the company is testing proprietary advanced launch technologies. Armadillo Aerospace is a leading developer of reusable rocket-powered vehicles and plans to provide a platform for civilian access to suborbital space.

Today’s flight was the spaceport’s second FAA-licensed launch, the 7^th Armadillo Aerospace vehicle, and the 17^th vertical launch from Spaceport America since 2006.

Armadillo Aerospace plans to release additional information on the launch as information becomes available, and updates will be posted online at www.armadilloaerospace.com.

Armadillo Aerospace launches their larger “STIG-B” rocket from Spaceport America

spaceport — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:52:41 +0000

New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) officials announced today the launch of a STIG-B rocket designed and built by Armadillo Aerospace of Rockwall, TX. This launch was the first licensed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch to take place from Spaceport America’s vertical launch complex at the spaceport, and the second research and development test flight this year at Spaceport America conducted by Armadillo Aerospace. The successful launch was a non-public, unpublished event at the request of Armadillo Aerospace, as the company is testing proprietary advanced launch technologies. Armadillo Aerospace is a leading developer of reusable rocket-powered vehicles and plans to provide a platform for civilian access to suborbital space.

Today’s flight was the spaceport’s first FAA-licensed launch, the 6^th Armadillo Aerospace vehicle, and the 16th vertical launch from Spaceport America since 2006.

Armadillo Aerospace plans to release additional information on the launch as information becomes available, and updates will be posted online at www.armadilloaerospace.com.

Spaceport America Celebrates Independence Day with a Brand New Look, New Control Center

spaceport — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:16:31 +0000

Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built, commercial spaceport, has launched a new look for its brand on Independence Day. “Spaceport America is helping a new American Revolution take place in the commercial space industry, and what better time to showcase our new brand than the Fourth of July,” said Christine Anderson, Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA).

Spaceport America’s new look was unveiled in time for Independence Day on July 4, 2012, simultaneous with the launch of an all-new website (http://www.spaceportamerica.com) on that day, marking the beginning of a new marketing effort to introduce Spaceport America to the world.

The new identity, named “Spirit”, represents two stars coming together; the collaboration of innovative efforts to propel man’s reach into space. The Spaceport America identity is created from the colors of our nation with red symbolizing energy, strength, and power and blue symbolizing trust, loyalty and wisdom. It reflects Spaceport America’s core commitment to the spirit of exploration, the promise of human potential, and the powerful combination of vision and courage as it launches the next generation of space.

Also this week, the NMSA announced it has obtained a temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the New Mexico Regulations and Licensing Department for the Spaceport Operations Center (SOC), a dome-shaped building adjacent to the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space that will support operations. The design of the interior SOC fit-out is underway and final build out construction is expected to begin by the end of 2012. When complete, the SOC will house NMSA staff and their primary contractors that will handle facilities operations, security, fire and EMT service.

“Our new identity emphasizes our dedication to the highest level of service to both our launch customers and the hundreds of thousands of expected annual visitors from around the globe,” said Anderson. “We look forward to soon adding access to the newly finished SOC facility to our guided ‘Preview Tour’ this summer.” Anderson continued, “Once Phase Two construction is completed in 2013, we will have created a whole new kind of visitor experience, and the new Spaceport America brand identity and website are key steps along the path of offering the world an invitation to space.”

Preview Tour days, times and reservation information can be found by going to: www.ftstours.com.