ASSOCIATED PRESS
A sign shows the way to the site of New Mexico's planned spaceport near Upham, N.M., where a ceremonial groundbreaking was held Friday. Spacecraft will take flight attached to an airplane, then break free and rocket 62 miles into space before returning to the New Mexico site.UPHAM, N.M. (AP) | A multimillion-dollar spaceport is moving toward construction in the New Mexico desert, a big step for commercial space development and tourists who will suit up for $200,000 suborbital flights.
Gov. Bill Richardson and other dignitaries staged a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday at the remote site of Spaceport America in Sierra County.
"Today will be a signal that America needs to regain its leadership in space, both in national space and commercial space," said Mr. Richardson. "Today is historic because New Mexico leads the nation in commercial space."
From a 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 New Mexico site. Flights will last about two hours and include five minutes of weightlessness.
George Nield, a Federal Aviation Administration official who oversees commercial space transportation, said seven spaceport licenses have been issued in the U.S.
California has two licenses while New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, Alaska and Oklahoma each have one.
Mr. Richardson said the New Mexico site, about 45 miles north of Las Cruces, is ahead, largely because of a partnership with Virgin Galactic, a British company that plans to take the tourists into space.
Virgin Galactic officials said Friday that 300 customers have made down payments to get launched into space. The company aims to begin taking tourists into space by December 2010.
New Mexico is making a $200 million investment in the project. Virgin Galactic, owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, is investing $250 million and will be the spaceport's anchor tenant.
Lina Borozdina-Birch, who attended Friday's ceremony, is a 40-year-old chemist from San Diego and among the first to sign up for a flight. "I'm so excited. Until this point in my life, it's been like a science-fiction novel," she said of the prospect of going to space.
By Kara Rowland - The Washington Times
Obama was excoriated for continuing the Bush administration's strictest national security policies, including indefinite detention, military commissions and a "targeted kill" program that authorizes the government to take out suspected terrorists anywhere. Published 8:56 p.m. July 29, 2010
By Sean Lengell - The Washington Times
The House ethics committee officially lodged charges against Rep. Charles B. Rangel, including that he used his office to raise $8 million for a college public policy center named after him and didn't file taxes while he was Congress' chief tax writer. Published 8:56 p.m. July 29, 2010
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
A conservative satirist takes on the worlds of politics and entertainment in humorous pursuit of truth, justice, and all things America.
Join Matt on weekly adventures in all forms as he pushes his comfort levels in attempt to stimulate body, mind, and soul.
A slice of suburban family life from the diverse perspectives of a politically-minded mom.
Join the Evolution with Adam Omkara! Empowering, cutting edge mind/body/spirit and health dialogue.
