UP test flight at Spaceport America

New Mexico Business Weekly

UP Aerospace Inc. successfully launched an unmanned aerial vehicle prototype from Spaceport America on Aug. 4.

Colorado-based UP has been testing a new space vehicle for Lockheed Martin at the Spaceport since last year.

The latest launch, however, was conducted for Florida-based Fundamental Technology Systems Inc. (Moog-FTS), which UP recently signed as a new client.

“Moog-FTS is an important player in space research and manufacturing technology,” said UP President Jerry Larson in a news release. “We are excited to be in a position to provide low-cost, fast-turnaround launch operations for their R&D projects.”

Spaceport Executive Director Steve Landeene said such commercial launches are helping to attract interest from more aerospace companies who want to conduct activities at the Spaceport, located in southern New Mexico near Upham (south of TorC).

“Major players in the space industry like Moog-FTS and other aerospace companies are increasingly becoming aware of the opportunities available at Spaceport America,” Landeene said. “I’m proud that we can continue to set the standard for safe, low-cost commercial spaceflight.”

Visualisation of Norman Foster's spaceport

Construction begins on Foster's
Spaceport America
Sophie George - The Architects' Journal

Breaking ground on Spaceport America

In this AP photo taken in May, a forlorn sign shows the way to the site of New Mexico's planned spaceport, near Upham, N.M. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Friday, June 19 to mark the start of construction on a terminal, hangar and a 3048-meter runway. (AP Photo/Tim Korte)

The wide-open desert of southern New Mexico has long been a key passageway: Spanish conquistadors used it to settle North America, and wagon trains and railroads rattled through on their way to California.

Today, New Mexico is hoping the forgotten stretch of cattle ranches and mountain ranges will become a gateway to space.

Gov. Bill Richardson and others are preparing to break ground Friday on construction of a terminal and hangar facility at the world's first commercial spaceport built with the idea of launching private citizens into space for profit. Some 250 people are lining up to pay $200,000 each to take the trip as early as next year.

It's called Spaceport America, a $200 million taxpayer-funded project where the sky is not the limit. From the 10,000-foot runway, spacecraft will take flight attached to an airplane, then break free and rocket 62 miles into space before returning to the facility. The flights will last about two hours and include five minutes of weightlessness.

Science fiction? Not by any stretch.

Read the Associated Press Story HERE.

Patterns

It takes little discernment to see when certain patterns are emerging in NewSpace.

Just as reaffirmations recently of ESA's Spaceplane plans from 2005, the confident expansion of Virgin Galactic to Spaceport Sweden and further affirmation of Richard Branson's intentions to launch suborbital tourism very soon, by way of Scaled Composites' SpaceShip Two from Spaceport America, it's dawning upon even casual observers that, barring catastrophe, a new generation of Alan Shepherds will soon be claiming credit for traveling higher than 100 kilometers to experience freefall, and a relatively brief period of "zero gravity."

The days of the "vomit comet" may be coming to an end, except for those unable to pay the first hefty fares, for a suborbital arc. Personal space travel, such as it is, may soon become ordinary, and for hundreds of thousands.

ESA's Hermes may lead to the beginning of a permanent presence of that agency in Russia and cooperative development of Klipr, which may be a small commercial Orbiter and soon world's avenue to ISS, as successor to Progress-M, and before Orion is launched by NASA.

Meanwhile, the past few weeks have seen more than one nation sending out word canvassing interest in their astronaut corps. First, the U.K., after a long period of austerity, has had their own floating of the idea turn up 50,000 preliminary applications, and NASA is still accepting applications. Now JAXA has made the news.

AFP reports: Japan on Tuesday began recruiting astronauts for the first time in a decade in the wake of a successful mission to carry Japan's maiden space laboratory to the International Space Station.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will pick three candidates using screening procedures such as aptitude tests, medical checks and interviews.

JAXA said it would announce its selections in February 2009.

The successful candidates will take various training programmes at NASA for two years before being certified as astronauts.

Three out of 864 applicants passed astronaut certification during the agency's last recruitment in 1998 and 1999.

Japan has an increasingly ambitious space programme. The US space shuttle Endeavour returned on March 26 after beginning to set up Japan's first space laboratory, "Kibo."

With its installation, Japan gains a foothold on the International Space Station alongside the United States, Russia and Europe.

(ESA also indicates Japan may partner with that agency and the Russians on Klipr, perhaps explaining why JAXA gave up plans for its own space plane some time ago.)

Read more HERE.

New Spaceport America Executive Director Named

Las Cruces, NM – The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) Board has announced the hiring of Steven Landeene as the new Executive Director for Spaceport America, the nation’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Landeene will fill the position left vacant by Rick Homans. The announcement came from Kelly O’Donnell, Chair of the NMSA, who said that Landeene will assume his responsibilities on January 7, 2008, as the Spaceport continues to meet key development benchmarks.

“Steven Landeene’s credentials speak for themselves,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “His years of experience in engineering and business will be beneficial to marketing the aerospace industry and more importantly, to this critical stage for Spaceport America.”

Landeene has extensive experience in aerospace-related fields, including 20 years with Honeywell Aerospace and three years with Landmark Aviation. As the Director of Aftermarket Services Marketing, Sales and Support at Honeywell International, Inc., Landeene served as the global marketing and sales support leader for the company’s aftermarket services.

Most recently, Landeene served as the Director of Strategy and Planning for Sales & Marketing of Landmark Aviation out of Phoenix, Arizona. Landeene holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Business Administration from Arizona State University.

Landeene’s selection comes following an intensive, months-long national search for a new Executive Director.

“I’m excited to be spearheading such a groundbreaking endeavor that will create increased commercial access to space,” said Landeene on news of his appointment.

As the Executive Director for Spaceport America, Landeene’s duties will include the oversight of all spaceport operations, staffing, planning and development. His role encompasses working as a liaison between government entities and managing the Spaceport’s public relations. In addition to serving as Executive Director of Spaceport America, Landeene will work closely with New Mexico State University, nurturing a unique educational partnership between Spaceport America and the New Mexico education system. Landeene’s first task as Executive Director will be to transition Spaceport America from planning to actualization.

Spaceport America, a landmark project, is poised to become one of the world's leading commercial spaceport centers to be completed in Sierra County, 45 miles northeast of Las Cruces. According to economic forecasts by NMSU and Futron, Spaceport America may spur up to 5,000 new jobs and up to $1 billion in new revenue in the state. Spaceport America is scheduled to open for business in mid 2010.

For images of Spaceport America go to: http://www.spaceportamerica.com

(For additional information, contact David Wilson @ Wilson Binkley Advertising & Marketing - 575-524-8118)