Virgin Galactic opens first spaceport

October 25, 2010 By Jeffrey Van Camp

Virgin Galactic has opened its first commercial spaceport "Spaceport America" in New Mexico. The facility will be able to launch all known types of spacecraft.

Fresh off its first successful solo space flight, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic airline has completed the runway to its first commercial spaceport. “Spaceport America,” in Upham, New Mexico, is now operational. The port includes a two-mile long runway with a thickness of 42 inches, or 3.5 feet. It’s built to support any form of spacecraft currently in existence–a short compatibility list.

Virgin CEO Richard Branson: “The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in Virgin Galactic’s development. Our spaceship is flying beautifully and will soon be making powered flights, propelled by our new hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program. The investment deal with our new partners Aabar has successfully closed, securing funding for the remainder of the development program and we are seeing unprecedented numbers of people coming forward to secure their own reservations for this incredible experience. To be here in New Mexico to witness this historic moment is the perfect end to a great month.”

In addition to the runway, the terminal hangar facility is nearly completed. The building will be able to house up to five spacecraft and two guiding planes.

“With the recent signing of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 by President Obama, it is clear that our nation’s future space efforts will be working even more closely than with the growing commercial space transportation industry,” said Lori Garver, Deputy Administrator of NASA. “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.”

Space flight isn’t all that Virgin has up its sleeves. Branson also has a commercial underwater plane (a submarine) called the Necker Nymph. For a modest $25,000, you can rent it for a week.

Showing 9 comments

stephengreenwood at 9:55pm 27th October 2010 Full video coverage here! http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/26/first-craft-lan...
Georg at 3:27pm 27th October 2010 Why, oh why, isn't this in California's Mojave Desert?
Denver, Colorado at 7:42am 27th October 2010 This thing is a terrorist insult and a disgusting strike against America. When America finally does have a real Spaceport America worthy of that title, the brits won't be masterminding their terror on us from OUR AMERICAN SKIES. America will be striking back at them TRIUMPHANT.
BMI? at 5:08am 27th October 2010 It will end up being cheaper for NASA to farm out space flight the the commercial industry then to do it themselves within the confines of government. As far as personal space travel goes ... I'm skeptical. I can see other private industry utilizing these services instead of hitching a ride into space on the government dime. Well maybe not dime ... but certainly schedule. Maybe Coke or Pepsi will have a contest to send some member of the public into space. There you go ...
flatbellysteap at 11:52am 26th October 2010 all i can say is go richard go, show them how this should be done,imagine 20 years ago if you said that there would be a commercial aspect to space travel, people would have laughed in your face,well not anymore... this is great news for the consumer who has the fianancial backing to make this part of their goal /dream to travel in space,i understand that the seats were 250k a pop....no sure what they are now though... flatbellysteph
Adam at 3:16am 26th October 2010 I've just booked my seat yesterday...here i come space!
RoninNH at 5:15pm 25th October 2010 This is some pretty cool stuff. Bert Rutan's brains and Richard Branson's money were meant for each other. These guys are leading the way in commercial space flight.
ioman at 1:02pm 25th October 2010 And this is why Sir Branson is a pimp. How far ahead is Virgin over Elon Musk's SpaceX?
1. @JeffreyVC at 2:58pm 27th October 2010 Far and not far. I don't believe SpaceX has its own landing facility yet. It seems to be using NASA facilities. Also, they are using a more familiar rocket approach, while Branson is definitely going for a sexy shuttle.