Challenges Ahead for Spaceport America

  By Leonard David -- Space.com

  Oct. 19, 2006 -- LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -– Work is underway to design and construct the first “purpose-built” spaceport to handle passenger and payload launches to the edge of space and into Earth orbit.

  New Mexico’s Spaceport America is seen as one gateway in a community of gateways built not only in the United States but globally. Suborbital craft that jump point-to-point between spaceports could be a blossoming enterprise to support vacation travelers, as well as a host of other businesses.

  But before such visionary operations start, there are challenges to deal with before the planet is dotted with spaceports. Appropriate regulations will be required to govern the development of these facilities for one. Much work is ahead in operating and maintaining vehicles that will fly from these gateways to space.

  Spaceport advocates met at the 2nd International Symposium for Personal Spaceflight, held here this week prior to the Wirefly X Prize Cup competitions slated for Oct. 20-21 at the Las Cruces International Airport.

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