By 
February 6th, 2015
Courtesy: Spaceport America/Leonard David Archives
Spaceport America is seeking approval from the New Mexico Legislature of a special appropriation of $1.783 million to cover the shortfall resulting from the delay due to the Virgin Galactic/SpaceShipTwo mishap last October.
“If the funding is approved, it will only be drawn upon if the spaceport does not make up the difference in additional revenue. It is an insurance policy for the $218.5M state’s investment,” explains Christine Anderson, Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA).
Anderson said that Spaceport America staff are in discussion with many prospective customers, in varying degrees of development, and hope to have more customers near-term to make use of the sprawling complex.
Spaceport America is located in the Jornada del Muerto desert basin in New Mexico, United States west and north of the White Sands Missile Range. It lies 89 miles north of El Paso, 45 miles north of Las Cruces, and 20 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences. Spaceport America was officially declared open on October 18, 2011.
Credit: NMSA
Sweetheart deal
Want to wing your way into Spaceport America?
The spaceport is hosting a Valentine’s Day Fly-In on February 14th for private pilots. A special spaceport tour, presentation and Valentine’s Day luncheon are included at a price.
For more information on the first-ever fly-in, go to:
“So if you are a pilot, bring your sweetheart and come celebrate the day with us,” Anderson adds.
Mission Control equipment at Spaceport America.
Credit: NMSA
Gateway gallery
In other news, the expanded Visitor Experience is almost complete, with the last touches being made on the fit-out of the Gateway Gallery in the Gateway to Space building.
The Gallery will feature a G-Shock Simulator, a number of interactive kiosks and displays focused on the science behind the commercial space industry.
In addition, there are several displays of archaeological artifacts from the region from the residents that lived in the area over 10,000 years ago.
Anderson also notes that the spaceport has current openings in IT, aerospace, marketing and maintenance.
For more information on current openings at Spaceport America, go to:
Posted in Space News
