Our Visit to SpacePort America

Our Visit to SpacePort America 

Where in the World...
Spaceport America, New Mexico
by: Francis Contreras

On March of 2011, Fabian and I went to visit SpacePortAmerica...same month when the Accredited Space Agents surpassed the $10 million mark in sales of future Space flights. We couldn’t believe it. What seemed like just a dream a year ago is now a reality.

We flew into El Paso Texas and drove to Las Cruces which took about 45 minutes. Las Cruces is a very small town with the best hotel being “Hotel Encanto” . From there we drove to the Spaceport America which was another 45 minutes. Very scenic drive with the mysteries of the desert displayed all around and the infamous America “ghost towns” all throughout.  

Arriving to the Spaceport was like a mirage. It blends in perfectly with the landscape. It was designer by Sir Norman Foster (along with Philip Stark). Foster’s other projects include the new airport in Hong Kong, Beijing International Airport, Metro Bilbao, Wembley Stadium and the “Gerkin” Swiss Re  Building in London.

We really couldn’t believe we were there. Still a work in progress but my goodness…what a sensation to be present in the creation of  history. It is set to be completed by end of this year.

A few days later, the BBC's Richard Scott was the first journalist to be allowed inside the Virgin Galactic spaceship. Read story here

This is just the beginning of an extensive program for Virgin that will not cease until the system is as safe as it can possibly be.  With no actual competitors and only a handful of other companies even talking about offering sub-orbital tourist spaceflights, Virgin Galactic are fully expected to be the first to operate commercial flights. However that is not the priority, safety is their guiding star. 

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