Spaceport America: The Hub Where Future Commercial Space Flights Will Launch

Should you ever book a flight to space, wanna see where you'll probably take off from?

Spaceport America in southern New Mexico is the super-cool launchpad from which Virgin Galactic promises to send its first commercial spacecraft into orbit next year. And, depending on its success, the spaceport could be the country's hub for all future space flights.

Out of this world? See for yourself.

Made to serve as both a terminal and hangar for spaceships, Spaceport America was designed by architect Norman Foster. The building's minimalist appearance might make its stratospheric price tag of $209 million even more surprising. The building was also designed to be environmentally friendly and -- as expected for a "spaceport" -- is very high-tech.

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Reader Comments (8)

by Kitty - September 7th 2012 @ 7:12PM

This is near the property I have in New Mexico. We are all hoing this will be of some help getting this state back to work . Fingers crossed

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by Kitty - September 7th 2012 @ 10:13PM

OMG I meant Hoping not Hoeing, although that might be a possibility if this doesnt work out LOL..

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by Leon - September 8th 2012 @ 6:55PM

We as Southern New Mexicans help pay for this boon doggle ,Las Cruces to be exact with added Gross Receipts Tax (Sales Tax)and the catch being that it is not located in our county (Dona Ana).To visit the complex there is a charge of sixty ($60.00) dollars to see a spectacle straight out of a sci-fi comic book for real estate that we basically paid for once already.

by Gary M - September 8th 2012 @ 9:53PM

Guess you won't be buying any spaceflight tickets any time soon!

by BTDT - September 8th 2012 @ 10:40PM

Are there enough rich people wit a death wish willing to fly into space in a home-made rocket?
(Will the TSA be involved in this venture?)

by jim spagnole - September 9th 2012 @ 12:03PM

This could have been in California were it not for the actions of Gov. Schwartzenneger's key financial advisor. Too bad, really, since Virgin Galactic is using techology developed in California and the first flights were from there.

by MARK A. JOHNSON - September 9th 2012 @ 12:30AM

Someone had to get it started, and it didn't take a genius to figure out whom would be first to make such an investment with a very 'enterprising' future. I hope to be able to make such an investment in their stocks and all someday soon. Come on Lottery, help me get my foot in the door on this one, and more.

by Walt Bates - September 10th 2012 @ 4:55PM

Harris Effron needs to do some homework. These will not be orbital flights. They will be lobs to 62 miles altitude providing about 5 minutes of weightlessness. This altitude is generally agreed to be where "space" begins and those who venture there are called "astronauts".

8 Comments / 1 Pages