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Old 06-17-2009, 01:55 AM   #1
Dantheman62
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Default Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

By TIM KORTE, Associated Press Writer Tim Korte, Associated Press Writer – Tue Jun 16, 5:59 pm ET

UPHAM, N.M. – The wide-open desert of southern New Mexico has long been a key passageway: Spanish conquistadors used it to settle North America, and wagon trains and railroads rattled through on their way to California.

Today, New Mexico is hoping the forgotten stretch of cattle ranches and mountain ranges will become a gateway to space.

Gov. Bill Richardson and others are preparing to break ground Friday on construction of a terminal and hangar facility at the world's first commercial spaceport built with the idea of launching private citizens into space for profit. Some 250 people are lining up to pay $200,000 each to take the trip as early as next year.

It's called Spaceport America, a $200 million taxpayer-funded project where the sky is not the limit. From the 10,000-foot runway, spacecraft will take flight attached to an airplane, then break free and rocket 62 miles into space before returning to the facility. The flights will last about two hours and include five minutes of weightlessness.

Science fiction? Not by any stretch.

"It's real," said Steve Landeene, the spaceport's executive director. "You're not talking about things drawn on paper anymore. The boondoggle factor has started to disappear."

The spaceport will operate like an airport, offering a location where aerospace companies can lease building and hangar space. Virgin Galactic, a company owned by British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, will be the spaceport's anchor tenant.

Competitors such as XCOR Aerospace and Armadillo Aerospace are developing spacecraft for $95,000 flights. And as flights become more routine, costs should drop.

Similar spaceport ventures are proposed in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and elsewhere. Besides New Mexico, Virgin Galactic also hopes to ferry tourists to space from northern Sweden.

Spaceport America is about more than space tourism. Landeene said the facility will also tap other business ventures such as medical research and communication projects.

State officials say the site will provide 500 construction jobs over the next four years and spark economic development, education and tourism for generations.

"It will bring jobs, give our students the opportunity to have careers in math and science here in New Mexico and create tourism and other long-term economic activity," Landeene said.

Virgin Galactic and American aerospace designer Burt Rutan are building a craft that will take passengers on the thrill ride from New Mexico's spaceport. In 2004, Rutan's SpaceShipOne became the first privately built manned craft to reach space.

SpaceShipTwo, under development at Rutan's facility in California, will be carried aloft by a mothership called White Knight Two, unveiled last summer. The smaller craft will separate and rocket into space.

Spaceport America's runway is slated for completion next summer. The terminal and hangar should be ready for tenants in December 2010, when Virgin Galactic hopes to begin taking tourists aloft.

Five miles from the terminal is a launching pad for 20-foot rockets used mostly for science experiments. It's been operational for the past two years.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/...groundbreaking


AP – In this May 21, 2009 picture, a sign shows the way to the site of New Mexico's planned spaceport

Last edited by Dantheman62; 06-17-2009 at 01:59 AM.
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Old 06-19-2009, 10:35 PM   #2
Humble Janitor
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Default Re: Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

I smell something fishy.

If disclosure comes, this could be more than a hack-eyed attempt at space tourism.
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Old 06-19-2009, 11:27 PM   #3
oldpaganfreak
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Default Re: Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

trivia:
did you know that one of the very first 'spaceports' was built in st paul, alberta in 1967.
it was the centennial project for this small northern alberta town. they built a landing pad for flying saucers, that is still a popular tourist attraction, for terrans, at least. i'm not sure how many times it has been used by extra-terrestrials, but the very idea shows a creative spirit for ol' redneck alberta.
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Old 06-21-2009, 04:00 PM   #4
Illumination
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Default Re: Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

Interesting, but the tax payers should not foot the $200 million bill for what sounds like amusement ride for the wealthy. 500 jobs for how long and at what wages?
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Old 06-21-2009, 05:55 PM   #5
Tango
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Default Re: Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

Now be honest... Your not really surprized... Are you...? I mentioned it on
another thread !!! Thanks for the confirmation...

Here is another... Hollywierd investors will build studio's in NM... Being in
LA, CA. Is, to be Passe. Movie making will be moved to New Mexico
and Arizona in a very short time. When the going gets tough; the investors
get going... Everybody's going to have a Rayedio show on the internet in
LA; SF; SJ, CA. They are going to wonder how to pay their bills, and going
to be putting out the hand. begging... Desire...!!! Do they understand...?
The plug has been pulled.....

Over N' Out...

Trooly,


Tango

Lost Angels, is going to be a Slum. Investors are pulling out... Industry is
leaving... Just the wannbe's





Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman62 View Post
By TIM KORTE, Associated Press Writer Tim Korte, Associated Press Writer – Tue Jun 16, 5:59 pm ET

UPHAM, N.M. – The wide-open desert of southern New Mexico has long been a key passageway: Spanish conquistadors used it to settle North America, and wagon trains and railroads rattled through on their way to California.

Today, New Mexico is hoping the forgotten stretch of cattle ranches and mountain ranges will become a gateway to space.

Gov. Bill Richardson and others are preparing to break ground Friday on construction of a terminal and hangar facility at the world's first commercial spaceport built with the idea of launching private citizens into space for profit. Some 250 people are lining up to pay $200,000 each to take the trip as early as next year.

It's called Spaceport America, a $200 million taxpayer-funded project where the sky is not the limit. From the 10,000-foot runway, spacecraft will take flight attached to an airplane, then break free and rocket 62 miles into space before returning to the facility. The flights will last about two hours and include five minutes of weightlessness.

Science fiction? Not by any stretch.

"It's real," said Steve Landeene, the spaceport's executive director. "You're not talking about things drawn on paper anymore. The boondoggle factor has started to disappear."

The spaceport will operate like an airport, offering a location where aerospace companies can lease building and hangar space. Virgin Galactic, a company owned by British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, will be the spaceport's anchor tenant.

Competitors such as XCOR Aerospace and Armadillo Aerospace are developing spacecraft for $95,000 flights. And as flights become more routine, costs should drop.

Similar spaceport ventures are proposed in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and elsewhere. Besides New Mexico, Virgin Galactic also hopes to ferry tourists to space from northern Sweden.

Spaceport America is about more than space tourism. Landeene said the facility will also tap other business ventures such as medical research and communication projects.

State officials say the site will provide 500 construction jobs over the next four years and spark economic development, education and tourism for generations.

"It will bring jobs, give our students the opportunity to have careers in math and science here in New Mexico and create tourism and other long-term economic activity," Landeene said.

Virgin Galactic and American aerospace designer Burt Rutan are building a craft that will take passengers on the thrill ride from New Mexico's spaceport. In 2004, Rutan's SpaceShipOne became the first privately built manned craft to reach space.

SpaceShipTwo, under development at Rutan's facility in California, will be carried aloft by a mothership called White Knight Two, unveiled last summer. The smaller craft will separate and rocket into space.

Spaceport America's runway is slated for completion next summer. The terminal and hangar should be ready for tenants in December 2010, when Virgin Galactic hopes to begin taking tourists aloft.

Five miles from the terminal is a launching pad for 20-foot rockets used mostly for science experiments. It's been operational for the past two years.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/...groundbreaking


AP – In this May 21, 2009 picture, a sign shows the way to the site of New Mexico's planned spaceport
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Old 06-21-2009, 07:12 PM   #6
peaceandlove
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Default Re: Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

Quote:
Originally Posted by Illumination View Post
Interesting, but the tax payers should not foot the $200 million bill for what sounds like amusement ride for the wealthy. 500 jobs for how long and at what wages?
Right, when has that stopped them. Sounds more like a lift off for the elite when the going gets tough. Change your local government, change your life!
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Old 06-21-2009, 07:18 PM   #7
sleepingnomore
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Default Re: Workers to break ground on New Mexico spaceport

I wonder if they'll have one way tickets? I can think of a few politicians I'd like to gift a ticket to.
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