Construction underway for Spaceport

Space Elevator

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/11/05/space.elevator/index.html

Two new visitor centers for Spaceport America.

Spaceport America is going to open up two visitor centers:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newmexico/ci_13565599

Commercializing space taking longer than predicted.

http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2009/10/commercializing-space-taking-longer-than-predicted/

Space Elevator Games

Elevator:2010 - The Space Elevator Challenge

Follow the games on the Space Elevator Games Offical Web Site



•We are practically there! This week marked the beginning of the home stretch - just a few more weeks till the games.
•The teams are ready, Dryden is ready, the helicopter operator is ready - we're sure you are ready too.
•(TBA), NASA Dryden Research Center.
•Follow us there!
www.SpaceElevatorGames.org
Climbing The Sky
The dream of a Space Elevator is a monumental one. A vision that will not only further space exploration and knowledge, but has the potential to shape the existential future of the human race for centuries to come.

For the first time since it was initially conceived, this dream is now within our reach.

With the Elevator:2010 challenge, the Spaceward Foundation has joined the on-going construction effort, adding energy, resources and new initiatives to the ever-growing number of organizations, companies, websites and enthusiasts focused on the technical, political and economic development of the Space Elevator.

Our goal is to generate enough interest in the project, so that within five years the Space Elevator basic building blocks can be demonstrated as feasible, and full-scale design and construction can begin.

And hence our name. Elevator:2010. we promise to get an answer for you by then.



Competition
Elevator:2010 is designed to address the "social engineering" of the Space Elevator. Taking our cue from the X-prize, solar car races, and various other competitive ventures, we use engineering competitions as a tool to capture mindshare in academia, space enthusiast community, and the general public. If we can have even 10 universities and 100 engineering students involved with the Space Elevator project each year, we'd have left our mark on the aerospace community.

In the days of airships, the advocates of planes devised a new way to promote their (obviously impractical...) inventions. It was called an "air show", and it had a dual purpose: First, these pioneers knew that they could explain airplanes all they wanted using equations and diagrams - it was not until they showed them flying that they really got their message across. Second, they recognized the power of competition - by bringing together airplane enthusiasts in a competitive environment, they were able to accelerate the rate of development beyond what was likely in the isolated confines of their shops.

Our goal is to infect the engineering and science community with our passion for building the Space Elevator, thus making them ambassadors to our cause. As the fruits of their efforts take to the sky every year, we will have demonstrated the feasibility and sheer simplicity of the Space Elevator concept, and will have brought it closer to reality.

Our prize money is provided by NASA's Centennial Challenges program - a total of $4,000,000 over the next 5 years! To maximize our return and reduce our risk, we distribute the money in slowly increasing increments, as we ratchet up the difficulty level of the challenges.

Successful launch!

White Knight II

Ground is broken for Spaceport America

Monday, July 13, 2009

LAS CRUCES, NM – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has selected two contractors to provide services for the construction of Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport that is now being built in southern New Mexico. After reviewing proposals from several contractors, the NMSA Board of Directors awarded construction of the airfield to David Montoya Construction, Inc. The board also awarded the Site Enabling contract to FNF New Mexico, LLC. The airfield for Spaceport America is a 10,000-foot runway designed to accommodate horizontal launch space and air operations that complement the existing vertical launch infrastructure. David Montoya Construction, Inc., of Alameda, NM, has provided construction services on many large-scale projects since being established in 1985. The company has provided similar concrete paving services for Albuquerque International Airport and Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo. David Montoya Construction, Inc., is recognized by the Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top 500 Hispanicowned businesses in the United States.

FNF New Mexico, LLC, of Albuquerque, NM, has extensive experience in large-scale construction projects including airports and highway construction. FNF will design and execute a plan to facilitate the construction of the spaceport. The activities include preparing the site for construction and coordination with all contractors for site security, dust control, and other crucial functions. Less than one month after the groundbreaking of Spaceport America, NMSA officials are excited by the current pace of development. "Spaceport America is fully underway, and we continue to make rapid progress," said Steve Landeene, Executive Director for the NMSA. "NMSA will continue to issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITB) for more services and construction at the spaceport, and awarding contracts to the best qualified contractors." The latest RFP/ITB information can be found online at www.spaceportamerica.com

Gerald Martin Construction Management and HDR of Albuquerque, NM, were awarded a contract in 2008 to oversee the spaceport's construction phase for the NMSA. After marking the official groundbreaking ceremony for Spaceport America on Friday, June 19, officials are moving forward with the construction of the airfield. Spaceport America plans to have the 10,000-foot airfield complete by late summer 2010 with the Terminal Hangar Facility projected to be complete by early 2011.

Road nearly completed.

06/06/2009 03:13 PM MDT
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES - Work is nearing completion on a $6.8 million roadway that leads to Spaceport America from Truth or Consequences, a state official saidt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344396587729148290" />.

Construction to begin!

Spaceport American finally has a contractor scheduled to begin construction on the actual facility. Read all about it:

http://www.spaceportamerica.com

Cut rate ride

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/12/02/space-ride-tickets.html

Joint Venture -

ROCKET RACING, INC., ARMADILLO AEROSPACE CREATE JOINT VENTURE FOR SPACE TRAVEL AT SPACEPORT AMERICA
LAS CRUCES, NM – A new joint venture announced between Rocket Racing, Inc., and
Armadillo Aerospace has a goal of making private space flight more affordable than ever, and
doing it from New Mexico’s Spaceport America. The companies plan to build a fleet of
reusable Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicles that will give passengers a 360-
degree view of weightless flight for a target price of $100,000 or less. The companies plan to
fly an initial manned prototype in 2009, with manned flights to space in 2010.

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) is pleased that the companies intend to use
Spaceport America as their base of operations with manufacturing and office headquarters at
the Las Cruces, NM airport. “The dream of private spaceflight is growing closer to reality
every day,” said NMSA Executive Director Steve Landeene, “And this joint venture between
two established companies that have helped pioneer commercial spaceflight means that the
future is quickly approaching.” There have been several commercial launches for various
clients from the site of Spaceport America since April 2007, and roadwork to the site is well
underway. The architectural firm of URS Foster + Partners have created a design for the
hangar and terminal facility, and the site layout and design are essentially done.

Under the terms of the agreement, Armadillo Aerospace will develop the reusable launch
vehicle and provide support on the ground. Rocket Racing Technology Development, a
separate subsidiary of Rocket Racing, Inc., will provide business and operational management
for the venture, as well as financing for initial research and development. Granger Whitelaw,
CEO of Rocket Racing, Inc., said that, “The price of space is coming down to earth… Human
beings will be treated to the most stellar views in the galaxy.”

Spaceport America holds great promise for New Mexico’s economic future and has been
working closely with leading aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin, UP Aerospace,
Virgin Galactic, Microgravity Enterprises and Payload Specialties. With planning moving
along rapidly, the NMSA currently projects that licensed vertical launches should begin in
the first quarter of 2009 and that the terminal and hangar facility for horizontal launches
should be completed by 2010.

White Knight revealed

Sir Richard Branson shown holding a model of the new spacecraft "White Knight".

Here is the link to the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25849434/

Spaceport America slowly emerging

Bids are currently being accepted and will be opened on July 18, with the winning “bidee” to start initial work on that piece of infrastructure on or around September 2008 - depending on weather and other factors.

Once that improved road — now a distinct but dusty and winding trail — is completed, construction of the spaceport can move forward more swiftly. The project will involve improving the road and applying a temporary chip and seal road surface. The hope is to have that work completed by year’s end.

According to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, the current projection for completion of Spaceport America’s terminal and hangar facility should be wrapped up by 2010.

Keeping an eye on all of this are early adopters of Spaceport America’s promise as the nation’s first purpose-built commercial space facility: Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, as well as Up Aerospace.

Bigelow Aerospace groovin!

Bigelow Aerospace is taking a stepping-stone approach to the development of its space modules. Next in line is the larger Galaxy module the company plans to launch in the latter part of 2008. The entrepreneurial firm's habitat plans then lead to Sundancer -- a module that will provide 180 cubic meters of habitable space and come fully equipped with life-support systems, attitude control, on-orbit maneuverability, as well as reboost and deorbit capability. This larger module -- sporting a trio of windows -- could support a three-person crew and be on orbit in the second half of 2010, Bigelow said.

ITAR issues

Waiting for Otero County!

Actually, we are waiting for the voters from Otero County to decide if they want to support this Spaceport or no. In the meantime, we are anxiously awaiting FAA Approval which is taking longer than anticipated.

Sierra County is on board!

The voters in Sierra County have approved the Spaceport Tax so now it's a go, just waiting for FAA Approval. The work continues on the infrastructure at the site. I believe completion will be late 2009 or Spring 2010.

Rocket Racing League

How about some fun pics of Rocket Planes! As of January 14th, 2008, The Rocket Racing League (planes powered by rockets), are building three large hangers adjacent to the Las Cruces Airport on land they own. Each year the final competition is held in Las Cruces, NM.

Nascar, eat your heart out!!!!!!

Spring is here!

My Iris's are blooming and my neighbor's tulips are blooming, so it must be Spring.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY