SPACEPORT AMERICA, New Mexico – An amazing day here at Spaceport America as the New Mexico Spaceport Authority dedicated the nearly two-mile long runway – a specially-built runway to bolster the future of public space travel to the edge of space.
During the space-based, star-studded ceremony on October 22, UK adventurer and entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson – backer of the Virgin Galactic enterprise to create suborbital space tourism – underscored new plans for orbital space operations. Details will soon be revealed, Branson told the audience attending the “open for business” runway.
Streaking above the gathered throng of well-wishers, the WhiteKnightTwo/SpaceShipTwo launch system, made repeated flyovers of the area. The high-tech, aerospace combo later landed on the runway as a special surprise.
“Today marks a significant milestone on our historic and exciting journey,” said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson – a vocal advocate for Spaceport America and a key leader in its development.
It was announced during ceremonies that the runway will be known as Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway.
Joining in on the runway opening celebration was Lori Garver, NASA’s Deputy Administrator.
“It is clear that our nation’s future space efforts will be working even more closely with the growing commercial space transportation industry,” Garver said.
“Innovative approaches that foster this new commercial industry will bring more competition and opportunities that will lower the costs of spaceflight and payload services for America’s aerospace programs, and introduce new human space transportation systems,” Garver added.
The state-of-the-art launch facility is under construction near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and is expected to become fully operational in 2011.
The Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.
By Leonard David