View source for Engineering:Spaceport America

{{short description|Spaceport located in New Mexico, U.S.}}
{{Infobox airport
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| image        = Spaceport America terminal - The Gateway (15094090585).jpg
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| caption      = Spaceport America terminal hangar facility
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| FAA          = 9NM9
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| type         = [[Finance:Privately held company|Private]] commercial spaceport
| owner-oper   = New Mexico Spaceport Authority
| owner        =
| operator     =
| city-served  =
| location     = Sierra County, New Mexico,<br />near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
| hub          = [[Company:Virgin Galactic|Virgin Galactic]],<br />[[Company:UP Aerospace|UP Aerospace]],<br /> [[Company:Exos Aerospace|Exos Aerospace]],<br /> Payload Specialties
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| elevation-f  = 4,595
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| website      = {{URL|www.spaceportamerica.com}}
| coordinates  = {{coord|32|59|25|N|106|58|11|W|type:airport_region:US-NM|display=inline,title}}
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'''Spaceport America''', formerly the '''Southwest Regional Spaceport''', is an FAA-licensed spaceport located on {{convert|18000|acre}} of State Trust Land in the Jornada del Muerto desert basin {{convert|45|mi}} north of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and {{convert|20|mi}} southeast of Truth or Consequences.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceport America|url=https://www.lascrucescvb.org/places/spaceport-america/|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Visit Las Cruces New Mexico - Las Cruces CVB|language=en-US}}</ref> With [[Company:Virgin Galactic|Virgin Galactic]]'s launch of the [[Astronomy:VSS Unity|VSS ''Unity'']], with three people aboard, on May 22, 2021, New Mexico became the third US state to launch humans into space after {{wipe|California}} and Florida.<ref name="Robinson-Avila 2021">{{cite web | last=Robinson-Avila | first=Kevin | title=NM 'has finally reached the stars' | website=Albuquerque Journal | date=2021-05-22 | url=https://www.abqjournal.com/2393160/lift-off-virgin-galactic-spaceship-is-in-the-air.html | access-date=2021-05-30}}</ref>

Spaceport America is "the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport", designed and constructed specifically for commercial users, that had not previously been an airport or federal infrastructure of any kind. The site is built to accommodate both vertical and horizontal launch aerospace vehicles, as well as an array of non-aerospace events and commercial activities. Spaceport America is owned and operated by the State of New Mexico, via a state agency, the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.<ref name="space" /><ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8111243.stm|title=Work starts on New Mexico spaceport|author=Simon Hancock and Alan Moloney|date=June 20, 2009|publisher=BBC|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626230348/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8111243.stm|archive-date=June 26, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Ohtake|first=Miyoko|date=August 25, 2007|title=Virgin Galactic Preps for Liftoff at World's First Commercial Spaceport|journal=Wired Magazine|volume=15 |issue=10|url=https://www.wired.com/science/space/magazine/15-10/st_spaceport|access-date=January 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515205505/http://www.wired.com/science/space/magazine/15-10/st_spaceport|archive-date=May 15, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The first rocket launch at Spaceport America occurred on September 25, 2006.

The current tenants working in the U.S. spaceport are [[Company:HAPSMobile|HAPSMobile Aerovironment]], [[Company:UP Aerospace|UP Aerospace]], [[Company:SpinLaunch|SpinLaunch]], and Virgin Galactic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tenants, Customers and Partners {{!}} Spaceport America - The First Purpose-Built Spaceport|url=https://www.spaceportamerica.com/business/customers/|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Spaceport America|language=en-US}}</ref>

Spaceport America was officially declared open on October 18, 2011,<ref name=wsj20111018/> the visitor center in Truth or Consequences became fully accessible to the general public on June 24, 2015,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://skift.com/2015/06/26/spaceport-america-visitor-center-opens-as-virgin-galactic-vows-to-resume-flights/|title=Spaceport America Visitor Center Opens as Virgin Galactic Vows to Resume Flights|date=June 26, 2015|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524191216/https://skift.com/2015/06/26/spaceport-america-visitor-center-opens-as-virgin-galactic-vows-to-resume-flights/|archive-date=May 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and after Virgin Galactic completed the interior buildout, the entire facility was deemed ready for operations in August 2019.<ref name=sn20190815/> Visitors can book private tours of the facility via the website or from the Visit Las Cruces organization or the visitors center in Truth or Consequences.

==History==
Spaceport America began as a potential landing site for [[Engineering:Reentry capsule|reentry capsule]]s and then evolved into a test and operations site for the cancelled [[Company:Lockheed Martin|Lockheed Martin]] [[Engineering:VentureStar|VentureStar]] project. The first rocket launch at Spaceport America occurred on September 25, 2006.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Landeene|first1=Steve|title=Spaceport America: The World's First Purpose-Built Commercial Space|url=https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2008-7620|work=AIAA SPACE 2008 Conference & Exposition|publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|doi=10.2514/6.2008-7620|access-date=2021-04-27|last2=Gomez|first2=Lou|last3=Prescott|first3=Aaron|last4=Ziarnick|first4=Brent|year=2008|isbn=978-1-62410-002-4}}</ref>

===Inception===
[[Image:NM-south-central-spaceport.jpg|thumb|Map of Spaceport America within the originally envisioned spaceport tax district, including Doña Ana, Luna, Otero, and Sierra counties]]

The spaceport's initial concept was proposed by [[Organization:Stanford University|Stanford University]] engineering lecturer and tech startup advisor Dr. Burton Lee in 1990.<ref name="nmsu">{{cite web|title=History of Spaceport America|url=http://spacegrant.nmsu.edu/isps/presentation/history.pdf|publisher=[[Organization:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]]|access-date=April 5, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912115523/http://spacegrant.nmsu.edu/isps/presentation/history.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2008}}</ref> He wrote the initial [[Social:Business plan|business]] and strategic plans, secured US$1.4 million in seed funding via [[Social:Earmark (politics)|congressional earmarks]] with the help of Senator Pete Domenici, and worked with the New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) to develop local support for the spaceport concept.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}

In 1992, the ''Southwest Space Task Force'' was formed to advance New Mexico's space industry's commercial infrastructure and activity.<ref>{{cite web|title= Destination: Space-Not even the sky's the limit for new aerospace industry|url= http://researchmag.nmsu.edu/2006_SP/destination_space.htm|author= Hill, Karl|year= 2006|publisher= [[Organization:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]]|access-date = April 4, 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070212172948/http://researchmag.nmsu.edu/2006_SP/destination_space.htm|archive-date = February 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="SPAhistory">{{cite web|title= Spaceport America: History|url= http://www.spaceportamerica.com/about-us/history.html|archive-url = https://archive.today/20110524161154/http://www.spaceportamerica.com/about-us/history.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = May 24, 2011|year= 2007|publisher = New Mexico Spaceport Authority|access-date = May 27, 2010}}</ref> After several years of study, they focused on a {{convert|27|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} plot of state-owned land, {{convert|45|mi|km}} north of Las Cruces, as a location for the spaceport.

In 2003, the task force petitioned then-new Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Rick Homans who then picked up the torch. Homans presented the idea to then-Governor Bill Richardson and negotiated with the X Prize Foundation to locate the X Prize Cup in New Mexico. Following an announcement by Governor Richardson and Sir Richard Branson that the new [[Company:Virgin Galactic|Virgin Galactic]] would make New Mexico its world headquarters, the state legislature enacted laws providing for the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport in 2006 (compare SpacePort Canada).<ref name =space>{{cite news|first=Leonard|last=David|title=Spaceport America: First Looks at a New Space Terminal|date=September 4, 2007|url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/070904_virgingalactic_spaceport.html|work=space.com|access-date=February 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513102841/http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/070904_virgingalactic_spaceport.html|archive-date=May 13, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SPAhistory"/> The spaceport was subsequently named ''Spaceport America''.

===Construction===
[[File:Terminal Hangar Facility under construction at Spaceport America.jpg|thumb|Spaceport America terminal hangar facility as of October 2010]]
[[File:Closeup of construction of Terminal Hangar Facility at Spaceport America.jpg|thumb|The "Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space" in October 2010]]
[[File:Runway under construction Spaceport America.jpg|thumb|The runway under construction, March 2010]]

Construction of the first temporary launch facility at the spaceport site in Sierra County began on April 4, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|first=Heath|last=Haussamen|title=Temporary spaceport being built; 1st launch likely 'before September'|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|page=1A|date=April 4, 2006}}</ref> Early operations of the spaceport utilized this temporary infrastructure, with some of it borrowed from the neighboring White Sands Missile Range.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In early 2007, [[Social:Red tape|red tape]] was still in the process of being cleared and the spaceport itself was still little more than "a {{convert|100|ft|m|adj=on}} by {{convert|25|ft|m|adj=on}} concrete slab." That slab would eventually be part of the launch facility for the spaceport's first tenant [[Company:UP Aerospace|UP Aerospace]].<ref name="WP200704" >{{cite news|last=Caldwell|first=Alicia|title=Ashes of Star Trek's Scotty Fly to Space|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/28/AR2007042800160.html|newspaper=Washington Post|date=April 28, 2007|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104145157/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/28/AR2007042800160.html|archive-date=November 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 3, voters in neighboring Doña Ana County [[Social:Referendum|approved]] a spaceport tax that would go into effect upon final approval from Sierra County.<ref>{{cite news|first=Diana M.|last=Alba|title=New tax still up in the air|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/spaceport/ci_7696666|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=December 12, 2007|issn=1081-2172|access-date=October 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113173104/http://www.lcsun-news.com/spaceport/ci_7696666|archive-date=January 13, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first images of the then planned spaceport's Hangar Terminal Facility (HTF) were released in early September 2007.<ref name="pic" >{{cite web|title=First images of Spaceport America revealed|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/04/216560/picture-first-images-of-spaceport-america-revealed.html|date=April 9, 2007|publisher=Flight Global|access-date=February 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128152627/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/04/216560/picture-first-images-of-spaceport-america-revealed.html|archive-date=January 28, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2008, voters in Sierra County approved the plan, releasing over US$40 million in funding for the spaceport.<ref name="WP200805" >{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Marc|title=New Mexico Moves Ahead on Spaceport: 2010 Opening Appears to Be Within Reach, Even With Remaining Hurdles|newspaper=Washington Post|date=May 10, 2008|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/09/AR2008050902508.html|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516085951/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/09/AR2008050902508.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Voters in of Otero County, however, rejected the spaceport tax during general elections in November. In spite of the rejection, Spaceport America had what it needed to move forward and progress toward its completion began.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jose L.|last=Medina|title=Spaceport to move forward despite Otero vote|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_10911066|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=November 6, 2008|issn=1081-2172|access-date=November 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231032102/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_10911066|archive-date=December 31, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SPA progress 08/09">{{cite web|url= http://www.spaceportamerica.com/about-us/progress-08-09.html|archive-url = https://archive.today/20090210173502/http://www.spaceportamerica.com/about-us/progress-08-09.html|url-status= dead|archive-date = February 10, 2009|title = Spaceport Progress 2008 / 2009|author = Spaceport America, New Mexico Spaceport Authority|date = December 2008|access-date = May 27, 2010}}</ref><ref name="construction_status">{{cite web|title=Spaceport America Construction Status|url=http://www.spaceportamerica.com/construction/construction-status.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302182008/http://www.spaceportamerica.com/construction/construction-status.html|archive-date=March 2, 2009|access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref>

In December 2008, the New Mexico Spaceport Authority received its launch license for vertical and horizontal launch from the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spaceport receives launch license|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_11241540|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=December 16, 2008|access-date=December 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102040056/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_11241540|archive-date=January 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title = FAA Issues Launch Site Operator License for Spaceport America|url=http://spaceportamerica.com/news/press-releases/18-spaceport-press-articles/185-faa-issues-launch-site-operators-license-for-spaceportamerica.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081217112546/http://spaceportamerica.com/news/press-releases/18-spaceport-press-articles/185-faa-issues-launch-site-operators-license-for-spaceportamerica.html|url-status= dead|archive-date = December 17, 2008|publisher  = New Mexico Spaceport Authority|date= December 15, 2008|access-date = December 16, 2008}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, [[Company:Virgin Galactic|Virgin Galactic]] signed a 20-year (240-month) lease as the anchor tenant, agreeing to pay US$1 million per year for the first five years in addition to payments on a tiered scale based on the number of launches the company makes.<ref name="SPA progress 08/09" /><ref>{{cite news|title=America Spaceport Grows Desert|url=http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/28/americas-spaceport-grows-desert/|date=January 28, 2010|access-date=May 30, 2010|work=Fox News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131151412/http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/28/americas-spaceport-grows-desert/|archive-date=January 31, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Diana M.|last=Alba|title=Virgin Galactic signs Spaceport America lease|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_11348304|publisher=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=January 1, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113184415/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_11348304|archive-date=January 13, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title = Governor Bill Richardson Announces Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic Sign Historic Lease Agreement|url= http://spaceportamerica.com/news/press-releases/18-spaceport-press-articles/190-governor-bill-richardson-announces-spa-virgin-galactic-lease-agreement.html|archive-url = https://archive.today/20090103035255/http://spaceportamerica.com/news/press-releases/18-spaceport-press-articles/190-governor-bill-richardson-announces-spa-virgin-galactic-lease-agreement.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = January 3, 2009|publisher= New Mexico Spaceport Authority|date= December 31, 2008|access-date=January 1, 2009}}</ref>

In December, Gerald Martin Construction Management, from Albuquerque, was chosen to oversee construction.<ref name=lcsn20081219>{{cite news|first=Ashley|last=Meeks|title=Company chosen to build spaceport|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_11267412|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=December 19, 2008|access-date=December 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101071316/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport/ci_11267412|archive-date=January 1, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title= Construction Management Firm Named for Spaceport America|url= http://spaceportamerica.com/news/press-releases/18-spaceport-press-articles/188-construction-management-firm-named-for-spaceportamerica.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090104073615/http://www.spaceportamerica.com/news/press-releases/18-spaceport-press-articles/188-construction-management-firm-named-for-spaceportamerica.html|url-status   = dead|archive-date = January 4, 2009|publisher  = New Mexico Spaceport Authority|date= December 18, 2008|access-date = December 19, 2008}}</ref> {{As of|April 2009}}, the first of 13 bid packages for the spaceport was expected to be publicly released later that month, and all 13 bid packages were scheduled to be released by June 2009. "The goal is to have [construction] completed in 17 months, by December 2010."<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramirez|first=Steve|title=Spaceport America offers job opportunities|publisher=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=April 10, 2009|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_12112414|access-date=April 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413132435/http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_12112414|archive-date=April 13, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ground-breaking ceremony took place on June 19, 2009, and paid tours of the facilities began in December of the same year.<ref name=lcsn20091022>{{cite news|title=Tours of spaceport site in December |publisher=Las Cruces Sun-News |date=October 22, 2009 |url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_13615026 |access-date=October 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085731/http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_13615026 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher= Spaceport America|date= October 21, 2009|title=Spaceport America Hardhat Tours Announced at ISPCS|url= http://www.spaceportamerica.com/images/pdf/NMSA_ISPCStour.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719182728/http://www.spaceportamerica.com/images/pdf/NMSA_ISPCStour.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date= July 19, 2011|access-date = March 14, 2010}}</ref>

By February 2010, the in mid-construction budgetary estimate for completion was $198 million.<ref name=nyt20100221>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/us/22land.html|title=A New Exit to Space Readies for Business|first=Dan|last=Barry|work={{wipe|New York Times}}|date=February 21, 2010|access-date=February 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227092352/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/us/22land.html|archive-date=February 27, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 22, a ceremonial flypass of Spaceport America was made by [[Engineering:SpaceShipTwo|SpaceShipTwo]] to celebrate the completion of the runway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101022/ts_alt_afp/usaviationspacebritainvirgin_20101022091717|title=Virgin spaceship to pass new milestone|publisher=AFP via Yahoo News|date=October 22, 2010|access-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024155955/http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101022/ts_alt_afp/usaviationspacebritainvirgin_20101022091717|archive-date=October 24, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

By October 2010, with the runway complete and the terminal building under active construction, the budgetary estimate for completion increased to $212 million. Approximately two-thirds of that were provided by the state and the remainder from "construction bonds backed by a tax approved by voters in Doña Ana and Sierra counties."<ref name=ept20101023>{{cite news|last= Roberts|first= Chris|title= New era draws closer: Spaceport dedicates runway on New Mexico ranch|url= http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_16411102|access-date  = January 16, 2011|newspaper= El Paso Times|date = October 23, 2010|quote = ''two-thirds of the $212 million required to build the spaceport came from the state of New Mexico...  The rest came from construction bonds backed by a tax approved by voters in Doña Ana and Sierra counties.''|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20121210172846/http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_16411102|archive-date = December 10, 2012}}</ref>

The spaceport was officially declared open on October 18, 2011,<ref name=wsj20111018>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204479504576638241796434986 |title=Branson Dedicates Space Terminal |date=October 18, 2011 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |access-date=October 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230210732/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204479504576638241796434986|archive-date=December 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but the tenant did not move in and begin operations right away. By August 2011, Spaceport America was substantially complete and the cost of the entire project was $209 million.<ref name=bi20120830>{{cite news|last=Polland|first=Jennifer|title=See Where The World's First Commercial Space Flights Will Take Off From|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/americas-shiny-new-spaceport-2012-8?op=1|access-date=September 2, 2012|newspaper=Business Insider|date=August 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524010505/http://www.businessinsider.com/americas-shiny-new-spaceport-2012-8?op=1|archive-date=May 24, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The interior of the building was the responsibility of tenant Virgin Galactic, and work on the interior began only in 2018.  By August 2019, interior work was complete, and the entire facility was deemed ready for operations.<ref name=sn20190815>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-declares-spaceport-america-ready-for-spaceshiptwo/|title = Virgin Galactic declares Spaceport America ready for SpaceShipTwo|date = August 15, 2019}}</ref>

===Increased private funding===
With the inauguration of the administration of Governor Susana Martinez in 2011, the state government took a new approach to increase [[Engineering:Private spaceflight|private]] investment to complete the spaceport project. In order to oversee the new effort, Governor Martinez appointed an entirely new board of directors for the Spaceport Authority<ref name=cb20110214>{{cite news|title      = Martinez pushes private funds for spaceport|url= http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2011/02/15/news/doc4d59bfff5663f489829568.txt|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110218180104/http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2011/02/15/news/doc4d59bfff5663f489829568.txt|url-status   = dead|archive-date = February 18, 2011|access-date = February 16, 2011|newspaper = Cibola Beacon|date= February 14, 2011|quote= ''Martinez said ... "New Mexico's taxpayers have made a significant investment in the Spaceport project. It's time to see the project through to completion by bringing in private funding."''
}}</ref> and removed Executive Director Rick Homans.<ref>{{cite web|title= Letter of Resignation|url= http://www.ispcs.com/files/tiny_mce/file_manager/resignation.pdf|archive-url= https://www.webcitation.org/5yWYHRjdc?url=http://www.ispcs.com/files/tiny_mce/file_manager/resignation.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= May 8, 2011|publisher= ispcs.com|access-date= January 22, 2011}}</ref>{{update after|2014|11|21}}<!-- so what happened on the watch of the new board, under the administration of the new Governor of New Mexico? -->

By 2013, the Spaceport had signed [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] as an additional tenant for [[Engineering:VTVL|vertical takeoff and vertical landing]] flight testing of prototype reusable rockets such as the Falcon 9 Reusable Development Vehicle. The facilities at Spaceport America were never used for Falcon 9 RDV and equipment staged was eventually moved back to Texas.

===Delays in operation of the anchor tenant===
There have been a series of delays in Virgin Galactic beginning flight operations at Spaceport America.  The multi-year extension of the test program and the [[Engineering:SpaceShipTwo#2014 change of engine|re-designed engine of SpaceShipTwo]] announced in May 2014 were responsible for much of the delay. In 2014, the spaceport announced that it was seeking additional tenants and hoped to sign another one in the next year.<ref name=sn20141024>
{{cite news |last1=Foust|first1=Jeff |title=Spaceport America Seeks To Diversify Customer Base and Revenue Streams |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/42300spaceport-america-seeks-to-diversify-customer-base-and-revenue-streams |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141026113950/http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/42300spaceport-america-seeks-to-diversify-customer-base-and-revenue-streams |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |access-date=October 26, 2014 |work=Space News |date=October 24, 2014 }}</ref>

Budgetary difficulties in operating the spaceport became salient in New Mexico politics.  The annual cost of providing fire protection services that were contracted for the mostly unused spaceport was approximately {{USD|2.9 million}}.<ref name=pa20150506/>

The [[Engineering:VSS Enterprise crash|inflight breakup and crash]] of the first SpaceShipTwo vehicle—[[Astronomy:VSS Enterprise|VSS ''Enterprise'']]—in October 2014 raised questions about the future of the spaceport.  With further delays to the start of Virgin Galactic commercial operations, ostensibly to at least 2016, the spaceport potentially needed funding from state or local authorities in order to keep the basic fire and security and administrative operation underway.<ref name=tsr20141103>{{cite news |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=A spaceport in limbo |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2630/1 |access-date=November 21, 2014 |work=The Space Review |date=November 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111032317/http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2630/1 |archive-date=November 11, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Spaceport Authority asked the New Mexico legislature in November 2014 for {{USD|1.7 million}} in emergency funds to maintain operations until 2016, the earliest date at which Virgin was expected to be able to begin commercial flight operations.<ref name=kob20141120>{{cite news |last1=Dyson |first1=Stuart |title=NM Spaceport executives asking lawmakers for emergency taxpayer funds |url=http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3627027.shtml#.VG-n7sl5VyI |access-date=November 21, 2014 |work=KOB4 News |date=November 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124044938/http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3627027.shtml#.VG-n7sl5VyI |archive-date=November 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

SpaceX had also been delayed in initiating test flights of [[Engineering:F9R Dev2|F9R Dev2]] at the spaceport from when they were originally anticipated.

In May 2015, budgetary details made public revealed that the substantially unused spaceport had an annual deficit that had been running approximately {{USD|500,000}}, with the deficit being made up by state taxpayers.  The primary planned revenue in the times of delayed operations by Virgin Galactic and SpaceX, with limited operations by other minor tenants, was local tax revenue, paid by the taxpayers of Sierra and Doña Ana counties.<ref name=pa20150506>{{cite news |last1=Messier |first1=Doug |title=Spaceport America Spending Criticized |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2015/05/06/spaceport-america-spending-criticized/ |access-date=May 8, 2015 |work=Parbolic Arc |date=May 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509013227/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2015/05/06/spaceport-america-spending-criticized/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2019, Virgin Galactic announced that they were finally ready to relocate all of their spaceflight activities to the spaceport from the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/virgin-galactic-moves-all-spaceflight-activities-to-spaceport-america/1994466961 |title=Virgin Galactic moves all spaceflight activities to Spaceport America |date=May 10, 2019 |access-date=May 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510165707/https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/virgin-galactic-moves-all-spaceflight-activities-to-spaceport-america/1994466961 |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Virgin completed the interior fit out work in mid-2019 and the entire facility was deemed ready for operations in August 2019.<ref name=sn20190815/> WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo moved to the Spaceport in February 2020. The operational flights are expected to begin sometime in 2020.<ref name="spacenews.com">[https://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-prepares-to-transition-to-operations/ Space News]</ref> In 2019, [[Company:Infiniti|Infiniti]] was testing some of its current models at the Spaceport America desert test tracks, such as its [[Engineering:Infiniti Q50|Q50]] sports sedan and [[Engineering:Infiniti Q60|Q60]] sports coupe.<ref name="thirtyfive">{{cite web|url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/infinitis-revival-depends-on-sleek-new-sedan-and-suv-stylingand-electrification-01573060678|title = Infiniti's Revival Depends on Sleek New Sedan and SUV Styling—and Electrification}}</ref>

On June 25, 2020, Virgin Galactic carried out its second successful glide flight of its spaceship over Spaceport America. The first glide flight took place in May 2020.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 25, 2020 |title=Virgin Galactic marks second glide flight over New Mexico |url=https://www.kob.com/national-news/virgin-galactic-marks-second-glide-flight-over-new-mexico/5771943/ |url-status=dead |work=KOB 4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627134438/https://www.kob.com/national-news/virgin-galactic-marks-second-glide-flight-over-new-mexico/5771943/ |archive-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref>

== Facility ==
[[File:Spaceport America terminal hangar during photo shoot (15093754972).jpg|thumb|Terminal hangar at the Spaceport America, taken during a [[Engineering:Land Rover Discovery Sport|Land Rover Discovery Sport]] photo shoot]]

The site area nets approximately {{convert|670000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}, with the terminal & hangar facility grossing an area of {{convert|110152|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="spa_stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceportamerica.com/about-us/spaceport-america.html |title=Spaceport America |website=www.spaceportamerica.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413090620/http://www.spaceportamerica.com/about-us/spaceport-america.html |archive-date=13 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The western zone of the facility ({{convert|25,597|sqft}}) houses support and administrative facilities for [[Company:Virgin Galactic|Virgin Galactic]] and the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. The central zone contains the double-height hangar ({{convert|47,000|sqft}}) to store [[Astronomy:Scaled Composites White Knight Two|White Knight Two]] and [[Engineering:SpaceShipTwo|SpaceShipTwo]] craft. The eastern zone ({{convert|29,419|sqft}}) encompasses the principal operational training area, departure lounge, spacesuit dressing rooms, and celebration areas.<ref name="spa_stats" />

The onsite restaurant and mission control room have direct east views across the apron, runway and landscape beyond.<ref name="spa_stats" />

The spaceport was built with environmental sustainability in mind. Designed to meet the requirements for [[Engineering:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] [[Engineering:Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design#Certification|Gold Certification]], it incorporates "Earth Tubes" to cool the building, solar thermal panels, underfloor [[Physics:Radiant cooling|radiant cooling]] and heating, and natural ventilation.<ref name=bi20120830/><ref name="spa_stats" />

A visitor center was planned in downtown Truth or Consequences (the closest town) to provide shuttle bus services to the Spaceport.<ref>
{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Korte |title=Ceremony marks New Mexico spaceport launch |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHoMzhnSgja1KQZorxv2CgyIuMXwD98U0KTO0 |agency=Associated Press |date=June 19, 2009 |access-date=June 19, 2009 }}</ref>
However, due to delays in spaceport operations and reduction in spaceport authority revenues, the plans were considerably scaled back in January 2014.  Rather than the planned {{usd|20 million}} facilities, the revised plan in January 2014 had only a {{USD|7.5 million}} capital budget. Rather than the "planned $13 million visitor center at the spaceport [there will be a] $1.5 million hangar" and the Truth or Consequences visitor center budget request was cut to {{usd|6 million}} from the original {{usd|7 million}}.<ref name=pa20140130>{{cite news |last=Messier |first=Doug |title=Plans for Spaceport America Visitors Center Scaled Back |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/01/30/plans-spaceport-america-visitors-center-scaled/ |access-date=January 31, 2014 |newspaper=Parabolic Arc |date=January 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201154856/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/01/30/plans-spaceport-america-visitors-center-scaled/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
By May 2015, news media were reporting that the spaceport authority "spent so much money with a company to design the visitors’ experience that it had no money left over to actually build the facilities for it."<ref name=pa20150506/>

The spaceport is located under FAA Special Use Airspace Restricted Areas 5111A and 5111B. When both these areas are active the airspace is restricted from surface to 'unlimited'.<ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Special Use Airspace|url=http://sua.faa.gov/sua/siteFrame.app|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104095642/http://sua.faa.gov/sua/siteFrame.app|archive-date=November 4, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Facility awards'''

Since its completion in 2014 by Foster+Partners and URS Corporation team, the facility has a LEED-Gold Terminal Hangar facility and has won several awards for its architectural design.<ref>{{cite web|last=www.fosterandpartners.com|first=Foster + Partners /|title=Spaceport America {{!}} Foster + Partners|url=https://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/spaceport-america/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.fosterandpartners.com|language=en}}</ref>

* 2014 Jeff Harner Award for Contemporary Architecture Award
* 2014 American Institute of Architects, Western Mountain Region Merit Award
* American Institute of Architects, Albuquerque Chapter, Merit Award
* American Institute of Architects, 2013 Design Awards Program, New Mexico Student Jury, UNM School of Architecture + Planning
* 2013 American Council of Engineering Companies, Engineering Excellence Award
* NAIOP Award of Excellence, Eagle Award, Industrial Category
'''GENESIS'''
[[File:Genesis1.jpg|thumb|218x218px|Genesis by Otto Rigan photo by DJ Cordero Photography]]

Created by renowned artist Otto Rigan<ref>[https://ottoriganstudio.com/about-1 Otto Rigan]</ref> from Muroc, California, The Genesis is a $200,000, 11,000-pound, 40-foot-long by 5-foot-deep steel sculpture<ref>{{cite web|date=January 18, 2019|title="Genesis" Artist to return to Spaceport America|url=https://lcspacefestival.com/genesis-artist-to-return-to-spaceport-america/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Las Cruces Space Festival}}</ref> that greets visitors at the entrance of Spaceport America.  The sculpture was installed in 2015.  According to the artist, the sculpture represents “new beginnings.”

The U-shaped arms of the sculpture face upward towards the sky and are detailed with embedded cast glass designed to “represent the stars in the night sky.” The mirrored glass was made to reflect the night sky and respond to the changing light of its environment,<ref>{{cite web|last=Lynch|first=E.D.W|title='Genesis', A New Sculpture at Spaceport America in New Mexico That Mirrors the Night Sky with Reflective Glass Pieces|date=April 7, 2015|url=https://laughingsquid.com/genesis-a-new-sculpture-at-spaceport-america-in-new-mexico-that-mirrors-the-night-sky-with-reflective-glass-pieces/}}</ref> the time of day, the seasons, and the light from the night sky.

==Operations==
{{further|Engineering:List of UP Aerospace launches}}
{{As of|2012|8}}, many [[Engineering:Suborbital|suborbital]] flights had been successfully launched from Spaceport America.<ref name=bi20120830/><ref name="kvia20141103">{{cite news|last1=Ortegon|first1=Josie|date=November 4, 2014 <!-- updated on Nov 4; originally published November 3, 2014 -->|title=Special Report: What does Virgin Galactic crash mean for Spaceport America?|work=KVIA.com|publisher=ABC-7|url=http://www.kvia.com/news/special-report-what-does-virgin-galactic-crash-mean-for-spaceport-america/29516796|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108151521/http://www.kvia.com/news/special-report-what-does-virgin-galactic-crash-mean-for-spaceport-america/29516796|archive-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref> The primary user is [[Company:UP Aerospace|UP Aerospace]], with 14 launches of SpaceLoft XL sounding rockets from 2006 to 2021 and 5 launches of prototype vehicles from 2007 to 2009. Boeing, SpinLaunch, HyperSciences, EXOS Aerospace, TMD Defense and Space and White Sands Research and Developers are current tenants.

===Spaceport revenue===
In order to repay the construction bonds and eventually meet operating expenses from Spaceport operations, the spaceport authority has forecast a number of revenue streams. These include lease payments, takeoff and launch payments, and tours.

However, anchor tenant Virgin Galactic had paid only {{USD|2.7 million}} in facility lease payments as of November 2014, and was projected to pay {{USD|50,000 to 100,000}} for each six-passenger flight of SpaceShipTwo once flight operations begin.<ref name=kvia20141103/>
Due to continued long-term revenue shortfalls, the Spaceport Authority is "working on a business plan that would further expand the search for revenue sources beyond Virgin Galactic ...[targeting] new tenants, including other space ventures, commercial projects, tourism, special events and merchandising."<ref name=nbc20150506>{{cite news |last1=Boyle |first1=Alan |title=Take a Fresh Peek at Virgin Galactic's Next SpaceShipTwo |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/take-fresh-peek-virgin-galactics-second-spaceshiptwo-n355071 |access-date=May 8, 2015 |work=NBC News |date=May 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509023324/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/virgin-voyage/take-fresh-peek-virgin-galactics-second-spaceshiptwo-n355071 |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Spaceport America Cup===
An annual rocketry competition and engineering event, ''Spaceport America Cup'', takes place at the site, is an Intercollegiate Rocketry Engineering Competition (IREC)-official event, and is sanctioned by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA). An international field of college and commercial teams operate sounding and sport-class rockets of several varieties and specifications, including solid, liquid, and hybrid fuel rockets, with altitude ranges between 3 and 10&nbsp;km, and utilize the airspace of the immediate area as well as downrange toward the White Sands facilitates.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spaceportamericacup.com/about-the-event.html |title=About the Event - SA Cup Website |access-date=February 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015748/https://www.spaceportamericacup.com/about-the-event.html |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Spaceport current tenants and operators ===

==== Current tenants ====
=====AeroVironment/HAPSMobile=====

[[Company:HAPSMobile|HAPSMobile]] is currently testing a prototype high altitude, long endurance [[Engineering:Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] and associated cellular-like communication equipment.

=====SpinLaunch=====
December 15, 2020, [[Company:SpinLaunch|SpinLaunch]] announced that it would be expanding its operations to Spaceport America. SpinLaunch is creating an evacuated [[Medicine:Centrifuge|centrifuge]] roughly 30 meters in diameter and is expected to perform its first suborbital test on a prototype of its centrifugal kinetic accelerator system that will launch small [[Astronomy:Satellite|satellite]]s<ref>{{cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|title=SpinLaunch expands New Mexico test site|url=https://spacenews.com/spinlaunch-expands-new-mexico-test-site/|website=Space News|date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> at the site later this year.

=====UP Aerospace=====
[[Company:UP Aerospace|UP Aerospace]] is a space launch and flight test service provider specializing in advanced engineering, launch technology development, and state-of-the-art rapid and low-cost launch operations. The company provides suborbital launch services to customers such as [[Organization:NASA|NASA]], Department of Defense (DoD), educational institutions, and the private sector. In 2013, SatWest company led by Brian Barnett sent the first commercial text message to space, using a UP Aerospace rocket launched from Spaceport America funded by NASA's Flight Opportunities Program. The technology has been incorporated into [[Company:Solstar|Solstar Space]] products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villagran |first=Lauren |title=Internet service at a spaceship near you |url=https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/money/business/2016/11/26/internet-service-spaceship-near-you/94478412/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Las Cruces Sun-News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Albuquerque students send text messages to space - Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/299921/students-send-text-messages-to-space.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.abqjournal.com}}</ref> Since 2017, UPA has manufactured their solid rocket motors at Spaceport America. UPA also has conducted launches of third-party rockets for Lockheed Martin and Moog.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Moog Announces Award of Lockheed Martin Production Contracts for F-35 Lightning II |url=https://www.moog.com/news/corporate-press-releases/2019/moog-announces-award-of-lockheed-martin-production-contracts-for.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.moog.com |language=en}}</ref>

=====Virgin Galactic=====
[[Company:Virgin Galactic|Virgin Galactic]] is an American spaceflight company developing a [[Engineering:Sub-orbital spaceflight|suborbital spaceflight]] tourism program. Their [[Engineering:Spaceflight|spaceflight]] program have made New Mexico the third state to host human space flight after {{wipe|California}} and Florida. Virgin Galactic has recently reported a future of two carrier ships and three spaceships with 400 launches a year. conducts launches of student designed and fabricated suborbital rock. On March 30, 2021, Virgin Galactic unveiled its new suborbital spaceplane "Spaceship III". A flight test program was planned to begin in the summer of 2021.

==== Current operators ====

===== ABL Space =====
[[Company:ABL Space Systems|ABL Space]] now has about 105 employees, with about {{convert|90,000|sqft}} of space in several buildings in El Segundo, California, as well as testing facilities at [[Organization:Edwards Air Force Base|Edwards Air Force Base]] and Spaceport America. RS1 Rocket was developed for high-cadence orbital launches, by combining simple and modern architectures manufacturing processes.

===== EXOS Aerospace =====
[[Company:Exos Aerospace|EXOS]] is conducting developmental test flights of liquid fuel suborbital launch vehicles with the goal of transitioning their vehicles to operational status and supporting space research objectives of their customers. EXOS launches are licensed by the FAA. The company is an outgrowth of Armadillo Aerospace.

===== Swift Engineering =====
[[Company:Swift Engineering|Swift Engineering]]  is testing a prototype high altitude, long endurance UAV.

===== White Sands Research and Developers, LLC =====
WSRDs have a small launch vehicle currently capable of reaching altitudes as high as {{convert|60000|ft}} depending on propulsion. The company intends to use this vehicle to support third party research requirements including hybrid engine development and [[Physics:High-G training|high-G]] testing.

===== WSMR (Boeing) =====
As part of a WSMR program, launches of large, high altitude balloons are conducted from Spaceport America for the purpose of testing the parachute recovery system of the Boeing CST-100 capsule. Three launches have been conducted from Spaceport America and up to two additional flights have been conducted in the fourth quarter of CY 2020.

=== Past tenants and operators ===
====Sugarhouse Aerospace====

Sugarhouse <ref>[https://www.sugarhouseaerospace.com/ Sugarhouse]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Evolution Space Emerges from Rebrand and Moves Rocket Manufacturing to Illinois |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/evolution_space_emerges_from_rebrand_and_moves_rocket_manufacturing_to_illinois/prweb17968641.htm |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=PRWeb}}</ref> was a suborbital, solid fuel rocket for the purpose of supporting space research by their customer base.

====SpaceX F9R====

[[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]] developed a launch site for testing their reusable first stage recovery methodology. Due to loss of the test vehicle in flight before it was brought to Spaceport America, no flights were conducted here.

====Google Skybender====

Google flight tested technology for deploying cellular-like communications equipment on [[Engineering:Aircraft|aircraft]]. Test equipment was deployed on a conventional aircraft modified to be optionally-piloted. The Ultimate system would have been deployed on solar-powered high altitude UAVs.

====Facebook Aquila====

[[Engineering:Facebook Aquila|Facebook Aquila]] was developing technology for deploying cellular-like communications equipment on aircraft and intended to test first the aircraft (solar powered UAV), and then the full communication system. Customer cancelled program as a result of aircraft development problems, although ground had been broken on Spaceport America facilities.

====Energetic X Inc.====

Spaceport America has hosted two sessions of testing launch technology using [[Engineering:Ram accelerator|ram accelerator]] technology to accelerate projectiles to high velocities.

====Boeing Helicopters====

Boeing Helicopters tested helicopter auto-landing technology on moving platforms. An aircraft equipped with the technology under test made numerous landings on  platform as it was towed along the Spaceport America runway.

====Armadillo Aerospace====

[[Company:Armadillo Aerospace|Armadillo Aerospace]] conducted developmental test flights of liquid fuel suborbital launch vehicles. Launches in late 2012 and early 2013 of their STIG B vehicle were licensed by the FAA.

====New Mexico Space Grant Consortium====

The NMSGC<ref>[http://nmspacegrant.com/ NMSGC]</ref> partnered with a Las Cruces based amateur rocket club to launch K-12 student payloads to approximately 10,000&nbsp;ft for conducting a variety of simple experiments. In 2009–2014, NMSGC also partnered with UP Aerospace to carry student payloads to much high altitudes on dedicated launches or mixed with other payloads. These launches are considered to be UP Aerospace launches.

====SemQuest, Inc.====

SemQuest launched a series of small rockets for the purpose of developing and testing target rockets for [[Physics:Laser weapon|laser weapon]] testing.

====Logistics Glider====

Logistics Gliders conducted flight testing a small, low cost glider under development for front line troop resupply applications.

====STEM+C====

STEM+C launched high altitude balloons that were used to carry remotely controlled gliders back to the Spaceport America runway. Participants were middle and high school students.

====Princeton University====

Spaceport America hosted launches of a [[Organization:Princeton University|Princeton University]] student launch vehicle program with the goal of reaching the [[Earth:Kármán line|Kármán Line]] with a two-stage rocket

====Infiniti====

In 2019, [[Company:Infiniti|Infiniti]] was testing some of its current models at the Spaceport America desert test tracks, such as its [[Engineering:Infiniti Q50|Q50]] sports sedan and [[Engineering:Infiniti Q60|Q60]] sports coupe.<ref name="thirtyfive"/>

====C6 Launch Systems.====

In Spring 2021, Canadian based company, C6 Launch Systems conducted a static engine test<ref>{{Citation |title=C6 Launch Systems Engine Testing at Spaceport America |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZRZrnzDM5g |access-date=2023-04-04 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Ammassa |first=Algernon |title=Spaceport America welcomes C6 Launch Systems with unveiling of new rocket test platform |url=https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/spaceport/2021/03/16/spaceport-america-rocket-c-6-launch-systems-test-stand/4711257001/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Las Cruces Sun-News |language=en-US}}</ref> at the Spaceport America Vertical launch area (VLA) 

=== Education outreach ===

Spaceport America promotes educational involvement in grade school and universities through activities, educational materials and training aimed at promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). STEM is an initiative started by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority team to engage with students.<ref>{{cite web|title=STEM EDUCATION|url=https://www.spaceportamerica.com/education/}}</ref>

====Virtual Space Camp====
<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjO0Eg4Qgho_8wjg255Foo1EPStAPm7Zo Virtual Space Camp]</ref> - In 2020 due to restrictions from COVID-19 a week's worth of science and space-based activities were created to engage with school-age children learning from home. The Virtual Space Camp was aimed at elementary and middle school students. The Virtual Space Camp shared a new video each day, featuring an educational lesson, hands-on experiments and instructions to conduct these experiments from home. Videos can be found on the STEM education page, Facebook page or on the Spaceport America YouTube channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceport America|url=https://www.facebook.com/spaceportNM/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=STEM with Spaceport America - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjO0Eg4Qgho_8wjg255Foo1EPStAPm7Zo|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

====University outreach====

Along with its elementary to high school programs, Spaceport America also supports university-level research and learning.

====New Mexico State University====

The ATOMIC Aggies<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/NMSUAtomicAggies/ ATOMIC Aggies]</ref> program is mostly composed of mechanical and aerospace engineering students from [[Organization:New Mexico State University|New Mexico State University]] (NMSU). Each year the Atomic Aggies allow a student to build and design their own rocket in order to get the Level 3 certification which shows judges at the Spaceport America Cup that the team is experienced with the larger class motors.<ref>{{cite web|last=engr_media|title=NMSU Atomic Aggies Launch at Spaceport America {{!}} College of Engineering {{!}} New Mexico State University|url=https://engr.nmsu.edu/atomic/|access-date=2021-05-03|language=en}}</ref>

====University of Southern California====

A Current operator at Spaceport America, the [[Organization:University of Southern California|University of Southern California]] (USC) is currently conducting launches of increasingly ambitious rockets with the goal of reaching the Kármán Line. On the last such launch to date, the rocket is believed to have achieved this goal.

====New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology====

The [[Organization:New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology|New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology]] (NMIMT) conducts launches of student designed and fabricated suborbital rockets as part of its engineering instructional program.

====Spaceport America Cup====

The Spaceport America Cup<ref>[https://spaceportamericacup.com/ Spaceport America Cup]</ref> is designed in conjunction with the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) for student rocketry teams from all over the country and around the world. With over 150 teams from colleges and universities in eleven countries, the competition continues to grow every year. Students launched solid, liquid, and hybrid rockets to target altitudes of {{convert|10,000|and|30,000|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceport America-The World's First Purpose-Built Commercial Spaceport|url=https://spaceportamerica.com/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Spaceport America Cup|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2021, the Spaceport America Cup was held virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

====Spaceport America Podcast====

The ''Spaceport America Podcast''<ref>[https://www.spaceportamerica.com/category/podcasts/ ''Spaceport America Podcast'']</ref> is the official podcast for Spaceport America. It is hosted by Alice Carruth, the PR coordinator for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA).<ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceport America Podcast|url=https://open.spotify.com/show/3aj4WTWI5twYXRAZdb3LZi|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Spotify|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Spaceport America Podcast on Apple Podcasts|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spaceport-america-podcast/id1550331785|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Apple Podcasts|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Our Team {{!}} Spaceport America - The World's First Purpose-Built Spaceport|url=https://spaceportamerica.com/our-team/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Spaceport America|language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* List of spaceports
* [[Engineering:Spacefaring|Spacefaring]]
* Aleman, New Mexico

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.panoramio.com/photo/54708978 Aerial view of Spaceport America]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161221091246/http://www.astronautix.com/s/spaceportamerica.html Encyclopedia Astronautica]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T31-qUF_h10 National Geographic Megastructures episode on Spaceport America], 45 minutes duration
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081123073549/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-spaceport Spaceport news archive from ''Las Cruces Sun-News'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080820160314/http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/06/eat_my_contrails_branson.php "Eat My Contrails, Branson!"] from ''SEED'' magazine
* [http://www.koat.com/news/officials-optimistic-about-new-mexico-spaceport-america-despite-delays/25744256#!brar07 Officials optimistic, despite delays. First pictures of the emerging SpaceX testing facility.]


[[Category:Suborbital spaceflight]]

{{Sourceattribution|Spaceport America}}